UK Urges ‘Radical Overhaul’ Of UN

United Kingdom Urges ‘Radical Overhaul’ Of UN To Reflect Changing Map

New York, Sep 24 2010 5:10PM

The United Kingdom today called for a radical overhaul of the United Nations including enlarging the Security Council to make up for the failure to fully face new challenges posed by a global map that has radically changed since the world body was founded 65 years ago.

“We are not doing anything like as well as we must,” Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg "http://gadebate.un.org/View/SpeechView/tabid/85/smid/411/ArticleID/162/reftab/227/t/United-Kingdom-of-Great-Britain-and-Northern-Ireland/Default.aspx" told the General Assembly on the second day of its annual session, citing the three “three profound challenges” of a redrawn map of power, the globalization of problems like terrorism and climate change and the rapid circulation and potency of new ideas.

Reform is essential, he said, “and a good place to start is right here – the United Nations. The UN Security Council must be reformed to reflect the new geography of power. The UK is clear and unambiguous in our support for permanent seats for Brazil, India, Germany and Japan, and for African representation. Put simply, the UN cannot speak for the many if it only hears the voices of the few…

“Let us be frank. Without a radical overhaul, the UN will not provide the leadership the world seeks from it, and needs from it.”

Calling generally for reform of multilateral institutions in line with the changing map of power, he stressed the vital need for stronger action on international peacebuilding, climate change and development, and the promotion of liberal values and human rights to win the conflict of ideas.

“Too many nations and international institutions have been too reticent about promoting enlightened, human values,” he declared. “We need to inject new life into our institutions, and new confidence into the expression of our ideals.”

He called for closer cooperation on counter-terrorism. “We must stand shoulder to shoulder in the struggle against terrorism,” he said. “The UK will always champion the UN. If it did not exist, we would have to invent it.”

The reshaped map of power also increases the need to open borders to free trade since “a trading world is a safer world,” Mr. Clegg added.

He also stressed the need not only for peacekeeping but also for peacebuilding, with the UN uniquely placed not only to keep the peace, but also to make it last, addressing underlying causes of conflict and strengthening local, regional and national capacity to contribute to long-term stability in fragile States.

Turning to development Mr. Clegg said that despite the need to reduce its financial deficit, the UK would stand by its promise to devote 0.7 per cent of gross national income to international development assistance from 2013.

ENDS

© Scoop Media