UN Reform: What’s In It for Africa?

1. UN Reform: What’s In It for Africa? Based on the article by Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General in The Wall Street Journal Europe, Friday/Saturday/Sunday, June 24-26, 2005 and on HDR 2005

2. “We have a chance to bridge the gap between aspiration and performance.”

3. 2005 • Marks the 60th anniversary of signing of the UN Charter and the founding of the UN • “Reform” of the UN started from the moment it was founded because idealism and aspiration for the UN have always outstripped its actual performance

4. In the United States • Expectations of the UN are high and too often UN failed to meet these expectations • Recently two reports in the US Congress – Bipartisan Task Force led by former Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator George Mitchell and the Henry J. Hyde UN Reform Act, adopted by the House of Representatives - have fuelled the debate on UN Reform

5. Proposals • A considerable degree of overlap between the conclusions of the two reports with the reforms proposed by the SG or where they are within his power, already implemented • The desire for change is widespread not only in the US but among other UN member states and also among UN staff

6. Convergence of Expectations (1) • UN’s management to be more transparent and accountable and its oversight mechanisms more independent • The GA to streamline its agenda and committee structure • UN’s human rights machinery to be more credible and authoritative, notably by replacing the present Commission on Human Rights with the Human Rights Council

7. Convergence of Expectations (2) • A Peace-building Commission created within the UN to coordinate and sustain the work of helping countries make the transition from war to peace; • Impose stricter standards of conduct on UN peacekeeping missions, especially to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation;

8. Differences • Between the Hyde Act and the other proposals on offer centers on essentially two points: the method to be used to make the reform happen and the global context that makes UN reform so important; • According to Mr. Hyde and his colleagues reform can only be brought about by threatening a draconian and unilateral cut in the US contribution to the UN budget; • The approach is profoundly mistaken and counterproductive, breaking the coalition between the US and other member States;

9. Scale of UN Assessment • Member States agreed to share the expenses of the organization “as apportioned by the GA” and the assessment is renegotiated every six years; • Every year the GA passes a resolution enjoining all members to pay their contributions promptly, in full and without conditions; • The way to make changes or reforms , therefore, is to negotiate agreement with other members rather than one nation taking unilateral action – other states will not accept such a “big stick” approach;

10. The Global Context • The UN does not exist in a vacuum or for its own sake; • It is a forum for every nation to come together to find solutions to common problems and, when they so choose, also an instrument to pursue those solutions;

11. Shared Global Problems and Threats • More today than when the UN was founded; • Widespread proliferation of terrorists and WMD and the danger that the latter will fall into the hands of the former; • Need to take up the issue of Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty with greater urgency; • A stronger and more representative Security Council is needed to deal with such issues;

12. Shared Global Problems and Threats (2) • In poor countries, the threats that are most immediate to many people are those of: • poverty, • diseases, • environmental degradation, • bad government, • civil conflict, and, • the use of rape, pillage and mass murder to drive people from their homes.

13. Interconnections • All the threats must be addressed at once; • The threats are closely interconnected; • A nation cannot expect cooperation on the things that matter to it most unless it is prepared to help others with their priorities;

14. “In Larger Freedom” • Development and security are connected – and both in turn are linked to human rights and the rule of law; • Things that can and should be done, by all nations working together, to achieve progress on all these fronts and make the UN a more effective instrument for doing so;

15. September 2005 • The 2005 World Summit will bring over 170 world leaders to UN HQ where decisions can be taken; • The stakes for the entire world could hardly be higher; • The opportunity to forge a common response to common threats may not soon occur;

16. “It is in that context, and for that reason, that a reformed and strengthened UN is so badly needed.”

17. What’s In It for Africa? Africa Has a Great Deal to Win If the Reform Agenda Succeeds and Much to Lose if the Reform Agenda Stalls!

18. MDG Global Targets (2015) • Halve extreme poverty and hunger; • Achieve universal primary education; • Promote gender equality and empower women; • Reduce under-five child mortality by 2/3; • Reduce maternal mortality by 3/4; • Reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB; • Ensure environmental sustainability; and • Develop global partnerships for Aid, Trade and Debt Relief.

19. Progress on MDGs in Africa • Progress towards meeting 2015 MDG targets is mixed, as some countries may achieve certain specific MDGs, while others may not; • Very few countries are likely to reduce income poverty by half (Goal 1), achieve universal primary education (Goal 2) by 2015; • While the majority of countries are likely to meet certain Gender equality targets (Goal 3), No country is likely to reduce child mortality (Goal 4), significantly improve Maternal Health (Goal 5) or reverse the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS (Goal 6).

20. HIV & AIDS Situation • SSA Has 10% World Population but Two Thirds of World HIV Cases (some 20 mn); • In 2003, about 3mn peole in SSA Newly Infected while 2.2 mn Died of AIDS; • Of 10 most Seriously Affected Countries, 09 are in SADC, with rates 25 – 48%; • 70% HIV Infection in SSA Happens in Marital/Heterosexual Relations; • Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria & TB Seriously under-resourced; • Reforms in Trade, Aid & Security Imperative to Progress.

21. Thank You For Your Attention! 12 September 2005, Tshwane