CLASS-2
REFORM OF THE UN AFTER THE COLD WAR
Various demands for reform & improvements in structure of UN (Specially SC) to serve the needs of a changing environment but on the nature of reform; little clarity and consensus.
2 aspects of reforms:
- In it’s Structures and processes.
- Should be review of all issues that fall within the jurisdiction of UN
Almost everyone agreed on both aspects but countries are not sure about: what is to be done, how it is to be done, and when it is to be done.
- UN (193 member), In General Assembly one vote for each state.
- Only 5 permanent members bcoz most powerful immediately after 2nd WW & victorious.
- US and + Western countries demand: improvements in the UN’s budgetary procedures and its administration.
- Others demand: increase representation (permament + non-permanent) for better reflection about realities of contemporary world politics (Asia, Africa and South America).
- some countries and experts demand: UN should play a greater or more effective role in peace and security missions while others: UN Should focus on development and humanitarian work (health, edu., evs, population control, HR, gender and social justice etc)
- qAfter the Cold War, demand for reform increased because now realities changed like:
- USSR collapsed.
- US became strongest power.
- relationship between Russia & US, now more cooperative.
- China is fast emerging as a great power, and India also is growing rapidly.
- Asia’s economy growing at an unprecedented rate.
- Many new countries have joined the UN
- new set of challenges confronts the world now like; genocide, civil war, ethnic conflict, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, environmental degradation, epidemics etc.
SECRETARY-GENERAL : representative head & most visible public figure of UN.
From 1 January 2017, António Guterres, 9th , Ex. PM of Portugal & UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees.
- REFORM OF STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES
All countries agree to reform but how & to do? Difficult task.
qGeneral Assembly adopted a resolution (1992) based on debate in SC over reform.
3 Main complaints of resolution:
1.SC, no longer represents contemporary political realities.
2.Its decisions reflect only Western values and interests and are dominated by a few powers.
3.t lacks equitable representation.