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UN reforms

THE process of reforms to the United Nations, in particular to its Security Council, was set in motion a couple of years ago, but there have been no major changes yet. Reform, UN must, in ways also as would redefine the roles of the small and developing nations in it, and on the lines of the call made by the UAE at the 62nd session of the General Assembly.

UN still inspires us all. For one, it helped avert/end wars, though not all wars. It is engaged in the great process of ensuring peace, though not successful always, in zones of conflict or of civil war. And, it’s also involved in a whole lot of humanitarian activities.

Under these circumstances, UN has not lost its relevance, even as it is found wanting in respect of facing some serious situations. Like, for instance, the Iraq war, and the Lebanon conflict that followed; or, in its engagement in Darfur, which has not been effective; or, of late, in its weak-kneed approach to the military mayhem in Myamnar. On the plus side, however, its current roles in respect of North Korea, or Iran, have been positive.

Overall, however, UN must perform better. Reforms is the way forward. And, reforms must, in essence, change the way the Security Council, the most powerful arm of the UN, functions. As UAE’s permanent representative at the world body, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jaarman, has pointed out, the time has come for proper representation of the small and developing countries in the Security Council. So far, they have had little voice when it came to crucial decision-making. When small and developing nations form the bulk of global existence, how would a just world order be ushered in, or maintained, without them having a direct say in matters that have a bearing on the entire humanity?

The fact is that when the UN was formed, the world was still in its colonial mindset. Colonialism is now a thing of the past. New nations with outstanding records of achievements in human endeavour have emerged, and yet they do not stand to count in UN’s decision-making process. This cannot be. UN should, ideally, be the base from where the entire world takes lessons in justice. It derives its moral authority from taking just decisions. That’s possible only when membership to organs like the Security Council is truly representative of the different shades and segments that make up the global human society