UN Reform Watches
- GA President Disappointed with Attempt to Improve the General Assembly’s Role and Authority:
by Lydia Swart
Upon taking office, the current President of the General Assembly (GA), Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua, made GA revitalization and democratization of the United Nations top priorities of his presidency. His recent attempt, however, to make the Assembly more relevant by addressing the crisis in Gaza - in his own assessment - failed.
- System-wide Coherence – the 62nd GA Session and the Road Ahead:
by Jonas von Freiesleben
The following analysis provides an update to chapter 3 on System-wide Coherence in “Managing Change at the United Nations,” and covers events pertaining to this issue during the 62nd General Assembly session, as well as a look ahead at what might come.
- Report of the Fifth Committee – October & November 2008:
by Emanuel Evans and Lydia Swart
The Fifth Committee is scheduled to meet from 3 October to 12 December 2008. Considering its heavy workload, the late issuance of certain documents, and the regretfully all too predictable disagreements among Member States, it is likely that the session will take longer than anticipated – an increasingly common occurrence in the Fifth Committee. The following provides an overview of a number of issues on the agenda and also attempts to summarize some of the proceedings so far, highlighting the dynamics among Member States as well as between Member States and the Secretariat.
- Security Council Reform – the 62nd GA Session and the Road Ahead:
by Jonas von Freiesleben
The following analysis provides an update to chapter 1 on Security Council reform in the Center's publication “Managing Change at the United Nations” (April). It covers events and Member States dynamics in the Open-ended Working Group and in the Security Council during the 62nd General Assembly session, and - as the Open-ended Working Group is about to meet on 11 November 2008 - also on the road ahead.
- Will a Resolution to Strengthen Environmental Activities be Adopted this Year?:
by Lydia Swart
On 30 October, an informal meeting took place on the draft resolution “Strengthening the environmental activities in the United Nations system.” Member States provided feedback on the draft resolution made available on 23 July which was a revision of the 2 May original Chairmen’s version. This analysis explores the chances of this resolution being adopted by the end of this year.
- Member States Balk at Latest Report on Security Council Reform:
by Jonas von Freiesleben
Member States met on Tuesday, 2 September 2008, to discuss a recently published draft report on the current status and future of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security Council Reform. During the all-day meeting, a number of countries delivered statements (available documents in blue), with many challenging both the contents of the draft report and the proposed way forward.
- A Look at the Transitional Approach to Security Council Reform:
by Jonas von Freiesleben
At the last meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security Council reform, on 17 June 2008, a task force composed of ambassadors and appointed by the GA President presented their status report. It included a reform suggestion based on the idea of a transitional approach. According to this approach, Member States would agree on basic reforms now, with a view to revisiting them at a later mandatory review conference; at which time they could be reversed or amended. The following provides some additional insight on the legal and political implications of such a transitional approach.
- The Governance Crisis in the Fifth Committee:
by Lydia Swart
This analysis explores the premise that there is a governance crisis in the Fifth Committee (Budgetary and Administrative) and is based on conversations with a number of key delegates from the EU, Group of 77, and the US as well as other insiders.
- Member States Discuss Security Council Reform Again: A Never-Ending Process?:
by Jonas von Freiesleben
The Working Group on Security Council reform met on Thursday 10 April 2008 to discuss a draft put forward by Cyprus at the initiative of Germany. The text was an attempt to infuse new momentum in the slow-going debate, but was almost certainly “killed off” by heavy criticism from especially the Uniting for Consensus bloc and a large portion of developing countries. The following is an analysis of the current developments.
- Why was the UN Budget Approved by Vote and not by Consensus?:
by Lydia Swart
A look at the current dynamics in the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee which deals with budget and administrative matters, based on conversations with key players from the EU, Group of 77, and the US. In particular, this analysis focuses on the powerful Group of 77 and the US. The latter insisted on the vote to approve the budget.
- UN Management Reform - The Role and Perspective of the G77:
by Irene Martinetti
Among the many caucuses and groupings of the United Nations none seems to be more intensively scrutinized than the Group of 77 (G77), a powerful faction representing the interests of 130 developing Member States. Since its inception in 1964, the Group has carefully guarded the interests of ‘the South’, as the developing world is colloquially referred to at the United Nations. For outsiders, the G77 has often been elusive yet the Group constitutes a powerful factor in moving opinions on important issues at the UN. Through interviews with key diplomats and UN officials, this article analyzes the current management reform discussions as seen through the eyes of the Group of 77.
- UN Management Reform - The Role and Perspective of the United States:
by Julia C. Hurley
This analysis examines efforts by the United States to bring about management reform at the United Nations. The author based her findings on statements issued by the United States, an interview with a key US diplomat at the UN, as well as NGO and Press reports.
- Pushing Decisions Through a Clogged Bottleneck:
by Lydia Swart and Irene Martinetti
Apart from important decisions on budgets and assessments, the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly also deliberates on key proposals in regard to management reform. Progress on some of these reform proposals has been slow and this analysis explores whether the working methods of the Fifth Committee may be as much to blame as the much lamented North-South divide.
- Ban Ki-moon’s First Month in Office – An Overview of Advice Given and Actions Taken:
by Irene Martinetti
In the few months that followed the selection of Ban Ki-moon as the new Secretary General, professors, diplomats, politicians, NGOs, journalists, and other "UN experts” made their voices heard - in concerto or solo – by providing him with advice and proposals. This article outlines the priorities that have been entrusted to the new Secretary General and offers an evaluation of the actions he has taken on them– especially in regard to moving reform proposals forward - during his first month in office.
- Much Needed Change in UN Human Resources Policies Gets a Timid Start:
by Irene Martinetti
On December 22, 2006, the General Assembly is expected to approve a resolution on the reform of the UN’s human resources management policies. The resolution provides some basis for improvement but leaves many questions open for further discussions. The article provides an analysis of the main issues at stake.
- Reforming Oversight and Governance of the UN Encounters Hurdles:
by Irene Martinetti
The long expected reform of the oversight and governance systems of the UN is now being discussed at the Fifth Committee. Despite the general consensus on the need for reform, achieving it will be a difficult and lengthy endeavor. The following analysis offers an overview of the main issues at stake.
- An Overview of U.N. Management Reform:
By Irene Martinetti
U.N. management reform has become one of the most contentious issues debated by the Member States. The main point of contention has risen out of the concern (especially by the G-77 and China) that giving increased independence to the U.N. Secretariat in basic financial, budgetary and post reallocations could result in the countries paying the largest share of the bills to exercise more leverage on the Secretariat and potentially the entire organization. At the adoption of the 2006-2007 budget, funds were only allocated for the first six months of 2006 (the so-called budget cap) and the remainder of the funds were to be approved only if enough progress was made on U.N. reform proposals.
- South Korea ’s Candidate Talks about his Plans for the United Nations:
By Ayca Ariyoruk
Ban Ki Moon, South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has publicly declared his candidacy to the post of Secretary General on February 2006. During an interview with Center Research fellow Ayca Aryoruk, he explains his desire to pay back the United Nations for military and economic assistance to Korea during and after the Korean war. His agenda includes bringing forward the Iran and North Korea nuclear dialogue, stopping the genocide in Darfur and ensuring implementation of the management reforms at the U.N.
- The Human Rights Council. A Butterfly or a Caterpillar in Lipstick?:
By Irene Martinetti
On March 15th 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved, 170 to 4 votes against (US, Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau) and 3 abstentions (Belarus, Iran and Venezuela), the draft resolution A/60/L.48 creating the Human Rights Council. The newly born Council, which is meeting in Geneva on June 19th, is being constituted to replace the Human Rights Commission. Will the Human Rights Council achieve the hard objective of “mainstreaming” human rights? Or will it simply be a slightly improved copy of the politicized Commission? The article analyses strengths and weaknesses of UN's new organism for the promotion of human rights.
- Model Duo: Could 'Dual Seating' Break the deadlock on Security Council Reform?:
By Walter Hoffmann
On April 20, 2006, Jan Eliasson, the president of the General Assembly will reconvene the open-ended discussion of the working group on Security Council reform. This is an opportunity for member states to present their best views on the development of this debate since their last meetin gin November, 2005. In his introduction, Jan Eliasson, should encourage governments to discuss alternative models put forward by independent groups. The Model Duo is an alternative model, under which governments would seek a two-country slate election to occupy one seat at the Security Council and, by exchangind diplomats, would share a longer six-year term.
- Can the Iron Lady from the Baltics Save the United Nations?:
By Ayca Ariyoruk
Although Vike-Freiberga has not announced her candidacy for the top U.N. job, some observers speculate she may be what the U.N. needs. An inspirational leader, Vike-Freiberga offered hope to Latvians at times of desperation and demonstrated moral courage to do the right thing despite the consequences. Center's research fellow Ayca Ariyoruk met with the Latvian President on March 8, 2006 and talked about U.N. reform, NATO, Iraq and her personal journey that brought her from refugee camps to a presidential palace.
- In Selecting the Next U.N. Chief, the Developing Nations Have a Choice:
By Ayca Ariyoruk
Since 1946, the United Nations has appointed seven secretaries general based on an imprecise General Assembly resolution outlining the terms of the appointment. With a small modification to the resolution passed in 1946, General Assembly can reverse the decline to it's prestige, Security Council can reform its working methods, United States can ease suspicions against its overall reform agenda and most importantly U.N. can choose the best possible candidate for
- The New Human Rights Council: Will the UN's best effort be good enough? An Interview with Lawrence Moss:
By Gergana Nedeva
On March 15, 2006 170 member states at the United Nations agreed to establish a new Human Rights Council to replace the discredited Commission on Human Rights, despite a 'no' vote by the United States.. In February we talked with Mr. Lawrence Moss, the Special Counsel for for U.N. Reform at Human Rights Watch. Mr. Moss said "President Eliasson's text provides for significant improvement over the Commission, although it is not as strong as Human Rights Watch had sought."
- Competing Model: A Security Council with 20 Members:
By Walter Hoffmann
According to The Japan Times, Japan is preparing to introduce a new model which would allocate a permanent seat to Japan, and will also increase the number of non-permanent seats. While Japan's move to consider alternative methods is encouraging, a permanent seat for Japan, is very likely to be vetoed by China, if the issue comes to a vote. For the sake of not slowing debate on the enlargement of the Council, states should start giving serious consideration to non-permanent models. Model X or one of its variations might be a good place to start...
- Candidate for Top U.N. Job Sets Out Vision for Reform: An Interview with Jayantha Dhanapala:
By Ayca Ariyoruk
With the term of Secretary General Kofi Annan set to expire at the end of 2006, aspirants for the job are beginning to present their qualifications. Among them is Jayantha Dhanapala, an expert in international arms control, one of only two candidates to have officially received their country's endorsement for the post. In an interview with Center Research Fellow Ayca Ariyoruk on January 7, 2006, Dhanapala said "there is a lot that is right about the U.N. We have to preserve what is right while fixing what is not."
- An Expert view on The Peacebuilding Commission: A Unique and Unusual Experiment:
By Niamh Gibbons
On December 20, 2005, the General Assembly and the Security Council passed resolutions on founding a Peacebuilding Commission, one of the reform proposals originally agreed by heads of states during the world summit in September. The new commission will be an advisory body and help stabilize and rebuild countries emerging from war. We talked about the new body with Necla Tschirgi, vice president of the International Peace Academy and an expert on peacebuilding.
- The Proposed Human Rights Council: Prospects and Obstacles:
Featuring: Peggy Hicks, Craig Mokhiber, Harris Schoenberg, Thomas Schewich and Martin Thummel
How will the proposed Human Rights Council will be different from the Commission it is replacing? Should there be a criterion for membership? Should it be principle organ of the United Nations or a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly?
- Reform Summit 2005: Catastrophe or Opportunity?:
Featuring: Steven Schlesinger and Bhaskar Menon
Yesterday, U.S. Institute of Peace released the report of a bi-partisan Congressional Task Force. What does the Report say about the U.S. position on U.N. Reforms? Is there enough time for the member states to deliberate reform proposals before the September Summit? Is the U.N. being set up for a big let down or pushed towards transformation?
Latest Updates
The Council on Foreign Relations posts video talk on Security Council Reform
On 11 January 2012 the Council on Foreign Relations posted a video talk by Stewart M. Patrick on Security Council Reform, entitled “UN Security Council Reform: Is it Time?”. Click here to watch the video talk on the CFR website
Meeting on General Assembly Revitalization 1 December 2011
By Mie Hansen, 5 January 2012
On 1 December 2011 the General Assembly met to discuss Agenda Item 120: Implementation of the Resolutions of the United Nations and Agenda Item 121: Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly.
This article provides an overview of the debate.
Former consultant with the Center for UN Reform Education wins prestigious award
By Thomas Colerick, 13 December 2011
Meeting in the General Assembly on Security Council Reform, 8 and 9 November 2011
By Mie Hansen, 7 December 2011
On 8 and 9 November 2011 the 51st and 52nd plenary meetings of the 66th General Assembly session were held with a discussion of Agenda Item 122: Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters. This article gives an overview of the debate and the statements made during the meetings, as well as an update on the developments in regard to Security Council reform leading up to the debate.
The 2011 Annual Report of the Human Rights Council
By Thomas Colerick, 8 November 2011
The 2011 Annual Report of the Council is now available.
Highlights of the Human Rights Council’s 18th Regular session
By Thomas Colerick, 11 October 2011
New report on the Human Rights Council’s fifth year
By Thomas Colerick, 4 October 2011
The Human Rights Council’s 18th Session (12-30 September 2011)
By Thomas Colerick, 28 September 2011
Update on Revitalization of the General Assembly: A RECAP OF DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE 65th GA SESSION
By Mie Hansen, 27 September 2011
Even before heads of state from around the world gathered last week at UN headquarters in New York for the opening of the 66th annual session of the UN General Assembly, the world’s main deliberative body, continuation of the ongoing negotiations to make the Assembly more effective, efficient and relevant were assured for yet another year. Member States have been discussing the “Revitalization of the General Assembly” for the past twenty years, but according to some critics only minor improvements have been made, leaving deep-seated reforms untouched. Even though all Member States seem to agree that reform of the Assembly is vital, recent developments confirm that it is still very difficult to reach an agreement on what should be done.
Chronology: The Human Rights Council – elections, sessions and important developments
By Thomas Colerick, 23 September 2011
As the Center for UN Reform Education once again will be covering the Human Rights Council more systematically, this chronology of the Council is provided. It includes elections, selected sessions and major developments and takes the reader from the Council’s birth in 2006 to today where the Council is currently holding its 18th Session in Geneva, Switzerland.
 Panel on Improving Security Council Working Methods
On 23 June 2011, The Center for UN Reform Education held a panel discussion on “Improving the Working Methods of the Security Council”. The basis for the discussion was the most recent version of the S5 draft proposal on Reforming the Working Methods of the Security Council.
 Qatar hosts workshop on Security Council Reform
On 12 & 13 May 2011, Qatar hosted a workshop on Security Council Reform in Doha. Lydia Swart of the Center was invited and she shared ten observations on this key reform process.
To move the process along, Member States, the Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, and/or the President of the General Assembly will need to provide leadership by proposing a timeline/trajectory for the negotiations and by formulating a compromise solution that can garner support from all factions.
S5 presents draft resolution on Improving the Working Methods of the Security Council
By Mie Hansen, 2 May 2011
On 14 April, 2011, the Small Five Group (S5), consisting of Costa Rica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Singapore and Switzerland, presented a draft resolution for Improving the Working Methods of the Security Council. The resolution was presented under agenda item 115 of the General Assembly (GA) that deals with follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit. The S5 had presented its first draft resolution on the topic (A/60/L.49) in 2006 also as follow-up to the 2000/2005 Summits.
Update on Security Council Reform
By Mie Hansen, 5 April 2011
Since the Center’s latest update of 22 June 2010, Members States conducted text-based negotiations on 21 October 2010, 11 November 2010, 14 December 2010, and on 2 March 2011 in their efforts to reform the Security Council. Some countries apparently continue to slow down the negotiations, while others may push for a vote sooner rather than later.
Book Launch, The Group of 77: Perspectives on its Role in the UN General Assembly.
25 April 2011
 Pictured from right to left: Center President William R. Pace, Minister Marcelo Suarez Salvia from Argentina (current G77 Chair), Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt, Ambassador Herman Schaper of the Netherlands, and co-author Lydia Swart. For their remarks, click here: Minister Suarez, Ambassador Schaper, Ambassador Abdelaziz (pending) and Lydia Swart.
Text-based Negotiations in Full Swing
22 June 2010
On June 16th the negotiations on Security Council reform proceeded with the third meeting of the fifth round. The meeting aimed at getting member states to discuss specific language on the fourth “key issue”. Many countries seemed to have misunderstood the intention of the Chair, however, and restated their positions rather than making suggestions for specific changes to the document at hand.
Potentially Historic Text on Security Council Reform
By Jakob Lund, 13 May 2010
On May 10th, Zahir Tanin, the Chair of the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council, sent out a long-awaited fax to all member states containing a “negotiation text”. The text and the annex can be accessed on the website of the PGA. The text includes the proposals sent by member states to Tanin's office since he opened the process of moving towards a text-based solution.
Open Debate on the Working Methods of the Security Council
By Jakob Silas Lund, 28 April 2010
On April 22nd, the Security Council’s Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Issues held an open debate on the working methods of the Council. The debate raised some key questions that are relevant to the ongoing Security Council reform negotiations. Furthermore, to keep the issue of its working methods on the agenda of the Security Council is, in and of itself, an accomplishment.
A New Phase in Security Council Reform Has Started
10 February, 2010
On February 5th, the Chair of the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, Ambassador Tanin of Afghanistan, sent out a letter to all member states with an attachment of sixty pages. The document (available here and here) includes all “substantive input” submitted by Member States to the Chair thus far in the fourth round of negotiations. This marks the beginning of the fifth round, which, for the first time, will be text-based.
Moving Towards Text-Based Negotiations?
By Jakob Silas Lund, 21 January 2010
The previous month was an eventful one in terms of the Security Council reform process. On December 23rd, a group of countries sent a letter to the Chair of the intergovernmental negotiations, Ambassador Tanin of Afghanistan, urging him to present a composite paper. Following that, Tanin received a number of other letters concerning the process and on January 14th he replied with his own letter to all member states. This all culminated in the latest round of negotiations on January 19th and 20th in which the consequences of the letter exchanges were discussed.
Pros and Cons of Security Council reform
By Jakob Silas Lund, 19 January 2010
Through extensive interviews with experts as well as current and former Ambassadors and diplomats who have been close to the reform process, this article outlines and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the components incorporated in the proposals currently on the table.
The Long and Winding Road
by Jakob Silas Lund, 11 December, 2009
On November 16th, the chair of the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan, sent a letter to all member states inviting them to the first meeting of the fourth round of negotiations. The negotiations ended up spanning over two days rather than the planned one-day session.
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