The OCGG Government Section's Advice Program on the United Nations aims at integrating a unified, strong, republican United Nations into a better world order reflecting a multipolar world governed by multilateral institutions under the auspices of the United Nations.

 

by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the Governments of the Member States of the United Nations

The Secretary-General’s latest report is a forceful statement in favour of the United Nations, pointing out the hypocrisy inherent in scapegoating the organisation while denying it adequate resources and power to act effectively. At the same time, the report addresses the pressing need to reform the UN itself directly and boldly.

This Advice Paper will evaluate some of the report’s key points around the themes of larger accountability, larger connectivity, larger inclusion and larger support.

The OCGG fully supports efforts to make the UN more accountable to the peoples of the world, as well as the governments of Member States. This must include the careful extension of the scope of multilateral intervention to cases where a member state poses a very grave threat to its own citizens.

The OCGG also notes with approval the Secretary General’s emphasis on larger connectivity. However, in restructuring the UN's relationship with the wider international community, impartiality must remain of paramount importance.

The Security Council must be reformed, but it is impossible to simultaneously realise all of the particular goals advocated by the Secretary General. The OCGG proposes an alternative blueprint.

Finally, "In Larger Freedom" does not go far enough in indentifying the particular ways in which the UN's support structure must be improved. This Advice Paper calls attention to some crucial gaps and proposes practicable solutions.

OCGG Government Advice No 4 (PDF)

 

by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the Governments of the Member States of the United Nations

The recently published Report of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change is a bold and important step towards reforming the UN system to better respond to the needs and challenges of the 21st century. This OCGG paper compares some of its most significant recommendations with those presented in OCGG Government Advice No 2 on the legal use of force. Most of these recommendations support each other, but the Advice Paper shows that in some areas the Panel Report did not go far enough, and it remains necessary to consider further reform in some areas: most importantly in ensuring effective early action, and establishing a UN army.

OCGG Government Advice No 3 (PDF)

 

edited by Anna Dimitríjevics

Advice to the UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change

The Oxford Council on Good Governance presents the following recommendations to the United Nations High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, in order to improve collective responses to the security challenges facing Member States:

Legitimacy Requires Legality

The legality of the use of force should be of foremost consideration. Except for Article 51 cases of self-defence, only use of force authorized by the Security Council should be considered legitimate.

New Members of the Security Council

To preserve the legitimacy and efficiency of the UN system, membership in the Security Council should be adjusted with permanent seats created for Brazil, Egypt, India, Japan and South Africa, and an EU seat replacing those held by France and the UK.

Limiting the Veto Right

Individual veto rights should be reserved exclusively for the current permanent members and the EU for the foreseeable future. Their exercise should be subject to organized self-restraint.

An Independent Fact-Finding Commission

To overcome potential deadlocks in the Security Council in the face of the need for urgent humanitarian intervention, an independent fact-finding commission should be created. The commission could be called into action by the Secretary-General or by a qualified majority in the Security Council. The Security Council would be obliged to decide whether to follow the commission’s recommendations, with veto rights giving place to qualified majority voting solely on these exceptional occasions.

A Standing UN Army

A stand-by UN army should be created from contributions of 5% or more of each member state’s national troops and military budget to cover the costs of UN training and the maintenance of interoperable equipment.

OCGG Government Advice No 2 (PDF)

 

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Advice Program Manager, presents advice on the implementation of the "In Larger Freedom" Report of the Secretary General in OCGG Government Advice No 4.

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Advice Program Manager, presents advice on the implementation of the Report of the High Level Panel in OCGG Government Advice No 3.

Anna Dimitríjevics, OCGG Analyst, presents advice to the UN High Level Panel on the vital role of the Security Council and the UN Charter in strengthening the legitimacy of the use of force in international affairs in OCGG Government Advice No 2.

Joachim Koops, OCGG Analyst, calls for coordination between the EU Battlegroups and the UN Multinational Standby High Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG) in OCGG Security Recommendation No 6.

Silke Rusch, OCGG Analyst, offers advice on reforming UN peacebuilding operations in OCGG Security Advice No 2.