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| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS | Outcome Document | ||
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WORLD SUMMIT 2005 “We believe that today, more than ever
before, we live in a global and interdependent world. No State can stand wholly
alone. We acknowledge that collective security depends on effective cooperation
against transnational threats.” The Outcome Document This September the United Nations will host the largest gathering of world leaders in history for the 2005 World Summit. Leaders of Member States will meet to discuss Secretary General Kofi Annan’s groundbreaking proposals to promote democracy, protect human rights, end poverty, and fight global terrorism. The outcome document is the result of talks and conferences over the past several years on how to make the United Nations an effective institution. This document presents an agenda for strengthening the UN around which the international community can reach a consensus. Although world leaders agree to most of the proposals, the gathering will provide an opportunity for intense debate and negotiations on other provisions. There have been three draft outcome documents so far: one was released in April while the other one was released in June. The most recent document was released on August 5th. The following is a summary of the main topics in focus at the summit: 1. Values and Principles · The UN Millennium Declaration that was adopted by Member States in 2000 reaffirmed the international community’s faith and commitment in the United Nations, its Charter and international law. · It is important to recognize that development, peace and security, and human rights are interlinked and cannot be enjoyed without each other. · Human rights are universal – all cultures and religions should be respected as they contribute to the enrichment of humankind.
2. Development
· Developed countries should establish timetables as soon as possible to invest 0.7 percent of their gross national income by 2015 to help people lift themselves out of poverty. · The recognition that HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other infectious diseases pose severe risks for all and pose challenges in achieving development goals. Thus, these problems require a cooperative international response. · Member states affirm the need to urgently address the problems in Africa, which is the only continent not on track to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
3. Peace and Collective Security
· Member states should adopt one clear definition of terrorism as any deliberate attack on civilians and non-combatants for political purposes. · States should refrain from the use of force and settle their disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations Charter. · As peacekeeping missions continue to grow, it is important to develop partnerships between the UN and regional organizations such as the African Union. · The establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission is crucial to assist countries emerging from conflict and address their needs in order to achieve sustainable peace. In addition, a Peacebuilding Support Office should be created to assist the Commission. · States should join and strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention; the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
4. Human Rights and the Rule of Law
· It is important to strengthen the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and its field offices in order to respond to the broad range of human rights challenges facing the international community. · Democracy is a universal value where people can express and freely decide their own political system. Member States should contribute to the new Democracy Fund to assist transitional democracies. · Impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes must end by cooperating with the International Criminal Court, and existing institutions for international justice. · The international community should endorse the “responsibility to protect” people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. This includes the need for the Security Council to work cooperatively to protect civilian populations, while the five permanent members should not use their veto power to block action to fulfill this responsibility.
5. Strengthening the United Nations
· The Security Council needs to be reformed to be more representative and efficient. · The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) needs to be a more effective body for coordination on issues of economic and social development as well as international development goals. · A smaller and more effective Human Rights Council should replace the current, flawed Commission on Human Rights. The Council should consist of 30-50 members who will be elected directly by a two-thirds majority and serve for three years. · Management reform proposals by the Secretary General should be implemented, including the establishment of various independent committees to monitor corruption and effectiveness. The push towards ensuring ethical conduct amongst all UN personnel and protection for people who report misconduct is a welcome development. Updated August 15, 2005 + READ THE FULL UN DOCUMENT |
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