Al Jazeera released an article entitled Mugabe demands UN seats for Africa detailing the president’s frustration towards the current format of the Security Council. Yet, Mugabe may not be alone when it comes to seeking reforms for the Security Council as “other nations – including Japan, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo – have also used the UN General Assembly gathering this week to call for reform of the Security Council.” With so many nations seeking Security Council reformation, the question of will it happen shifts to will other nations let it happen. Being a member of the Security Council has certain privileges, the right to veto a bill is one example, and as such an increase in permanent members could result in an excess use of vetoes. With that said, all nations dwell on Earth though be it, in different climates and locations. Perhaps representational reform is needed but only when it comes to ensuring at least on permanent member from every continent or geographic local. This raises a number of issues concerning which nations should be chosen and which would be rejected but the ultimate effectiveness of the UN rests with the countries under its blanket and hence wilful ignorance is not a viable option.
The Guardian has released a detailed blog entry by Sarah Boseley chronicling growing tensions between the United Nations and Oxfam. The likely cause of this tension is the fact that “so many people want this meeting [New York] to be significant.” Additionally, Oxfam spokesperson Emma Seery was quoted as saying
Words do not make nutritious meals, and a billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. What people everywhere need is an action plan. World leaders meeting in New York must fulfil their promises and adopt a strategy that will rescue the MDGs and invest in our future.
The release of this blog entry coincides with the release of an article by the Associated Press entitled UN climate chief urges flexibility in talks. However, this was in reference to talks being held in China next month although similar advice would benefit current discussions. Flexibility fuels the growth of plans under the principle that more room for management equates to more room for ideas to flourish. Yet discussions are a healthy sign that debate is challenging the thought-processes of those applicable. Ultimately it is better to urgently state a need, such as feeding the hungry, than bury it with silence in the hope that someone else will prioritize it. With that said, decisions made by the United Nations must be respected as there are a lot of world issues with immediate effect and as such, prioritization may vary.
A new “global currency” proposed by the United Nations itself, is already sending shock waves around the world. In short the proposal suggests abandonment of the dollar. Whether or not this will only result in loss confidence of the recovering form of currency, depends on the approach to this heated issue but one thing that appears to be certain is the desire for financial world security. Consequently “jumping ship” on the dollar, might achieve the opposite reaction as much of the world is still reliant on the United States of America. It may very well be that reliance that has triggered this proposal in the hope of increasing the strength of other countries to create a more balanced world stage, yet one cannot hide the vital role the US economy plays on other countries when it comes to imports and exports and the web of dependence that has developed.
Links:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/currency/6152204/UN-wants-new-global-currency-to-replace-dollar.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/09/09/taking_liberties/entry5298305.shtml
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE52H2CY20090318
According to an article released today on the BBC entitled War in Sudan’s Darfur ‘is over’, the United Nations military commander has effectively reported that “the real problem is now political”. According to U.N. facts released in the article, the war in Darfur has resulted in the deaths or 300’000 people despite differing claims from the local government, but despite the appearance of a break from the calamity, some people are still being victimized. According to General Martin Agwai, “[b]anditry” and “localised issues” are among the main issues remaining. In conclusion despite signs of a more peaceful period free from the level of conflicts recorded in past Sudanese history, people still need support and despite the fact that some believe the United Nations to be useless, it is the best peacekeeping organization we have. Without which many would be without the aid needed to overcome the issues confronting them and without which awareness would not be so great.
Links:
Darfur Sudan
- http://www.thewe.cc/contents/more/archive/darfur_sudan.html
