Madeleine K. Albright and Ibrahim A. Gambari4
June 16, 2015
To confront the crisis in global governance, the United Nations needs key reforms.
As the United Nations marks its 70th anniversarylater this year, there is mounting evidence that the international community is losing the fight against the most pressing security and justice challenges of our time. From Syria to sub-Saharan Africa, a markedincrease in mass atrocities has undermined basic human rights and reversed the trend of declining political violence that began with the end of the Cold War. Climate change, cyberattacks, and the threat of cross-border economic shocks also pose grave implications for global security and justice.
We are fortunate to have represented our countries at the United Nations. The U.N. is by no means a perfect institution, but it has adapted in the past and must continue to adapt in the future. A failure to do so risks prolonging and deepening our present global crises. In our view, six reforms will help equip the U.N. better to address modern threats and yet-unseen future challenges:
First, strengthen the conflict prevention and peacebuilding roles of the International Court of Justice and U.N. Human Rights Council. Those responsible for safeguarding security and those charged with upholding justice must communicate and cooperate more with each other. For example, the U.N. Security Council should make better use of the international court's advisory opinions to help ensure that the international rule of law is respected. The Human Rights Council would benefit too from a dialogue with the U.N. Security Council on conflict analysis, early warning, and early actions in response to large-scale human rights abuses.
Second, enhance climate governance through new networks and increased accountability. Scientists think greenhouse gas emissions are melting arctic ice capsand raising sea levels, yet an ambitious, binding global agreement to tackle climate change remains wanting. Ahead of this year's U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris, new kinds of engagement are needed that allow mayors, civil society, and business groups to announce climate-related goals more ambitious than what may emerge from the Conference. Public commitments to deeper and faster action could promote climate security and justice by shaming some national leaders into deeper commitments carried out with greater urgency.
Third, establish a "G20 Plus" to avert financial shocks and deliver on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. In the aftermath of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, national and regional economies remain vulnerable to capital flight, illicit financial flows, and new forms of cyber-crime. Adapting the G20 entails giving it a small "core" secretariat and closer ties between this forum of the world's major economies, the UN, and other global and regional economic institutions. In addition to helping prevent another global financial meltdown, such a framework can help to spur the inclusive growth necessary to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, to be endorsed by world leaders this September in New York.
Fourth, invest in a new generation of U.N. and regional peace operations and transform the Peacebuilding Commission into an empowered Council. At present, the U.N.'s peacekeeping budget is equal to just 0.5 percent of world military expenditure. More Member States need to make available military, police, and civilian capabilities for UN and regional organization peace operations to improve conditions for conflict resolution. In addition, a U.N. Peacebuilding Council, with new coordination, resource mobilization, and prevention authorities, can help to fill a major gap in our system of collective security, particularly when peacekeepers have transitioned from a conflict-affected region.
Fifth, create a United Nations Parliamentary Network to raise greater awareness and participation by strengthening the voices of legislators in global institutions. Learning from the Community of Democracies (a coalition of governments and non-governmental actors committed to advancing democratic norms and institutions) and successful regional parliamentary forums, this advisory platform would support the U.N. General Assembly and wider system. It would allow for much-needed input into global policy and accountability claims from national populations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, helping to make the world body more democratic.
Finally, reform and expand the Security Council and broaden its engagement with a wide range of actors, creating opportunities for more countries, regional organizations, local authorities, civil society, and the business community to have a voice in building peace. These efforts would enhance the legitimacy and implementation of Council decisions aimed at resolving conflicts.
These reforms and others are detailed in a new report by the Commission on Global Security, Justice & Governance, for which we serve as co-chairs. With support fromThe Hague Institute for Global Justice and The Stimson Center, the commission views the twin pursuit of security and justice as essential to global governance reform, as security lends urgency and safety concerns, while justice privileges fairness, inclusiveness, and equality. Promoting global justice and security together to revitalize global institutions involves not only governments, but also critical regional organizations, local authorities, the business community, and civil society. We invite partners from around the world to contribute to this effort in pursuit of a vision of justice and security for all.
Madeleine K. Albright was U.S. Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations. Ibrahim A. Gambari was Foreign Minister of Nigeria and U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs.
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