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General Analysis on UN Reform
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UN Reform Topics
2008 | 2007 | Archived Articles
UN Management Reform – The Role and Perspective of the G77 (September 10, 2007)
During the 2005 – 2006 discussions on UN management reform, Western governments and media often accused the G77 for being “counter-agents of change, resistant to all reform initiatives.” This article disputes this idea, showing how the G77 plays an important role in the UN reform process. The group, however, has a different reform agenda than their richer counterparts, focused on development and the equitable distribution of resources. (Center for UN Reform Education)
In this Report of the Secretary General, Kofi Annan lays out the Secretariat's plans for UN management reform. Due to “dramatic operational expansion” in a wide range of areas, such as peacekeeping, Annan believes that a “radical overhaul” of the UN Secretariat is required. The report contains 23 proposals including development of staff skills, information technology, and budget and finance. The report also includes controversial schemes for staff buyout and outsourcing of labor.2008
A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly Could Drive Global Innovation (July 28, 2008)
This article calls for the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA). The author claims support for the proposal is stronger than ever and advocates include former Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Boutros-Ghali stated that a UNPA "has become an indispensable step to achieve democratic control of globalization." The author believes the UNPA should consist of 900 elected representatives who speak for the world citizens. (Policy Innovations)Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and the Future of the United Nations (January 13, 2008)
This article urges the five permanent Security Council members to give up their veto rights and recommends that the G4 – Brazil, Germany, India and Japan – join as permanent members. Seeking greater involvement of the Secretary General, the author also suggests to make the UN head an ex officio officer of the Security Council. To increase the democratic profile of the General Assembly, the author proposes that each member country appoints four representatives through national elections. (Global Research)Challenges 2007-2008: UN Remains Impotent as Captive of the US (January 10, 2008)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon uses many great words in his New Years speech. But critics doubt that he will be able to fulfill all of his pledges for 2008. They suggest that Ban should shift focus to restore the esteem of the UN and more importantly free the organization from the domination of the US. (Inter Press Service)Observe Early and Often (January 7, 2008)
Election crises in Kenya and Pakistan show that international elections assistance often fails to prevent post-election violence. The author suggests establishing a UN monitoring unit that sets standards for national election commissions. Commissions that live up to these standards will receive a UN certificate. A failure of certification could warn for potentially problematic elections. (New York Times)2007
Does the UN Still Matter? (July 12, 2007)
Critics, including two-thirds of the US population, express disappointment at the UN’s inability to bring peace to the Middle East and eradicate poverty and hunger in the global south. This Daily Times article points out that member states are themselves responsible for the UN’s shortcomings. The author urges the member states to collectively build upon the UN’s positive aspects and provide the necessary resources by paying their dues to the modest US$7 billion UN peacekeeping budget. According to the article, even though “the UN system is far from perfect, the world would be a poorer and more disorderly place without it.”A Fork in the Road or a Roundabout? (June 15, 2007)
This Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) report reviews the UN Reform process from October 2003 until the High Level Summit in September 2005. It highlights the process’ shortcomings claiming that then UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, set the bar too high and that the member states achieved unsatisfactory results. Further disappointments include the lack of discussion on Security Council reform, exclusion of disarmament and non-proliferation, and inadequate representation of the global south in the discussions.Can the UN Be Reformed? (June 7, 2007)
Former Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown analyzes the UN reform initiatives taken by Kofi Annan in his last two years as Secretary General. Malloch Brown compares his reform initiatives at UNDP to Annan’s initiatives such as the Human Rights Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and management reforms. He asserts that Annan “was hostage to intergovernmental warfare” which prevented him from effectively managing the UN. Malloch Brown claims that UN reform will continue to be a tough task until the member states move away from their individual motives and “allow an empowered accountable management to lead a modern UN.” (Academic Council on the UN System)Security Council Accused of Overstepping Bounds (April 12, 2007)
Veering from its traditional agenda of preserving international peace and security, the UN Security Council plans to hold a meeting to discuss the issue of climate change. The Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement have denounced this decision as evidence of the SC’s “ever-increasing encroachment” on the mandates of the UN’s other main bodies. Citing the UN Charter, they argue that the Council should only “come into action when there are actual threats to peace or breaches of the peace.” (Inter Press Service)Archived Articles
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