UN Reforms- Changes, Repairs, Agenda

Ever since it was founded in the year 1945 there have been numerous reforms that have been changing and adopted by the United Nations. These reforms include sculpting of the secretariat general, discussing the permanent membership of the UNSC. Also increasing the secretariat general’s transparency and accountability. Also, its financial reform and the efficiency of its functioning. 

Among the important reforms, the ‘human rights agenda and reform are one of the main and crucial reforms to date. It is highly radical and prolific in many ways. However, many nations have struggled with the term ‘reform’ as it lacks clarity of subject matter and the execution itself is complicated and difficult. Most countries want the United Nations to take the lead and be the guiding light for international affairs and humanitarian work. The United States’ recent president Donald Trump questioned the existing need for global governance, the decisions made by the UNSC, including the Iran nuclear deal, and a great amount of questioning on the functioning and efficiency of the UN Human Rights Council. The United States withdrew from this in 2018. 

Changes And More Reforms

In the year 2017, the United Nations Economic and Social Council received a completed report by the secretary-general 

Announcing the many possibilities in the reposition of the UN system in order to deliver and show results for the 2030 sustainable development agenda. This was one of the first and enlightening steps in the said reform. Soon the United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres formally opened his reform suggestions at a town hall gathering in July 2017. Here he expressed his belief and wish to reform the UN on a particular need to improve for UN is under a moral obligation and guide to do the best the three pillars to be looked into and reformed as stated was the development system, management, and peace, both internally and with teams. 

Antonio Guterres’s idea was for the development of the system through the achievement of great coordination, clarity, and accountability in the functions and workings of the UN agencies. 

About the peace and security construct of the UN, he spoke about the need for profound change being necessary, and it should be executed within the reforms of management.

Repairs To A Broken System

Management reforms needed reorganization in order to be able to deliver better mandates. Guterres identified a few areas that were in dire need of change and reform in the UN structure. He made a point to talk about slow and unresponsive service owing to a broken and weak management structure. He brought to the assembly’s attention the existing trust deficit among member nations and the UN staff. There was also an existing problem of inadequate resources and ineffective mandates. Finally, the secretary-general expressed his wish to curb the lack of transparency existing within the UN and a general lack of accountability. 

The many goals and objectives of the UN reform agenda were assigned to the member states to promote them. This included more freedom of movement, more transparency, and building accountability. Guterres’s ideas and implementation of greater accountability and building transparency in the UN meant establishing greater stability for the UN. 

The UN Reform Agenda

With a membership of 34, and an annual funds income of USD 26.7 Billion, the UN development system is one of the biggest limbs of the UN, and one of the most significant parts of the multilateral organization. 

In the month of December 2017, Antonio Guterres submitted a recorded report and it was called ‘Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda: Our promise for dignity, prosperity, and peace on a healthy planet’. This was presented to the United Nations General assembly and the ECOSOC. The aim and objective were to prevent further damages to the UN through lack of transparency and accountability. The report has seven rules/objectives meant to be applied to the functioning of the UN system. This is also a successful attempt at striving for Coherence, accountability, and strong effective support. This was also done in view of the upcoming 2030 Agenda. 

We will shortly talk about the 2030 agenda once after we discuss the seven rules. 

  • A new team of UN country teams also known as UNCT, to be highly driven, well-equipped with the skill and customized to meet nation-specific priorities and goals. 
  • A fresh resident coordinator (RC) system, paying more attention to sustainable development. The RC will ideally coordinate and work with all organisations of the UN in executing activities for development, irrespective of their presence in whatever country it may be. The other objective of RC is to bring the United Nations impact level to a high level in each and every nation. 
  • A well-coordinated and well-structured approach at a regional level. To get this moving and effectively going forward.
  • A refreshed and up keeping space for all UN member states which helps ensure coherent and accountable results underscored with evaluations. 
  • A better and stronger UN response and a full organisation-wide approach to partnering with the 2030 Agenda. 
  • A funding plan to establish better quantity, quality, certainty and stability of resources along with increased transparency to help meet the 2030 agenda as well. 
  • To do as many necessary and important steps as required to align ourselves to meet the 2030 agenda. 

What Does The Future Hold?

Now let us take a close look at the 2030 Agenda. The 2030 agenda is a coveted plan made and waiting to be executed in the near future

The 2030 agenda will be embellished with strong changes to the UN development system to help a new generation of country teams to rise into the UNO organizational scene. They will be subject to the UN development assistance framework and help to lead an impartial, and independent work life. Prevent disharmony and work consistently towards peacebuilding with constructive and practical tools and methods. Get involved in political missions and work towards impacting politics and steer it towards universal brotherhood, universal harmony, and world peace. 

FAQS –

Which is the best place to learn about UN and UN reforms?

One of the best and sought-after places to study UN reforms is OLIVEBOARD, in India.

How can I contribute to the UN activities?

Firstly you can write to them at their New York-based, and other offices. You can create a dialogue between you and the office regarding matters bothering you locally/globally. Start UN-based action plans in your very own neighborhood/family/friend and build awareness.


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