Author Archives: Peter Daou 
Leaders Want UN to Play a Bigger Role
Annan Seeks to Restore Confidence in UN
“U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed Wednesday to world leaders marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations to help restore confidence in the world body and to act together to meet the challenges of the new century.
Addressing more than 150 presidents, prime ministers and monarchs, Annan said a document they will adopt at the end of the three-day summit was “a good start” but not “the sweeping and fundamental reform” he proposed. He called for urgent action on the tough, unresolved issues.
“Because one thing has emerged clearly from this process on which we embarked two years ago: whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we stand or fall together,” Annan said.” [Read more]
Poor Nations Call for Aid at UN
From CNN: “Leaders of developing nations called Wednesday for more foreign aid and freer trade to help poor countries develop, warning at a U.N. summit that chronic poverty could fuel regional conflict.”
For more on the 2005 World Summit, visit the official UN site.
Blog Roundup #48
A sampling of United Nations related blog commentary
Moderate Voice: “Afghans flocked to the polls to vote in the country’s first democratic parliamentary elections in 35 years: “…We did see some procedural irregularities but nothing that I consider systemic and which would have influenced the overall conduct of the election,” said Peter Erben, the chief international election officer with the United Nations-assisted Joint Elections Management Board.”
TAPPED: “In a press conference shortly following the adoption of the document on UN reform on Tuesday, Kofi Annan tried to put as positive a spin on the outcome as he could. But he was both unable and unwilling to ignore the conspicuous absence of any mention of disarmament and nonproliferation, which he called “a real disgrace.”
Outside the Beltway: “Because of the diversity of the member states, there is little chance of achieving consensus on even the most fundamental issues. The underdeveloped states see the U.N. as a giant teat from which to suckle money from the prosperous whereas the West sees it as a mechanism for spreading democracy, law, and order. Reconciling those visions is next to impossible.”
Feministing: “Among the MANY newsworthy things going on this week, UN Headquarters in New York is hosting the World Summit, a follow-up to the 2000 Millennium Summit that resulted in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight goals being promoted by the UN, targeting everything from ending world poverty to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. While the MDGs have been criticized by many women’s rights organizations for not being inclusive enough of women (for example, check out this great article by MADRE), they are a start.”
Liberal Avenger: “That’s right, it’s Bolton time! He’s been hard at work at the UN’s current meetings, which have produced some less than stellar results.”
MBlog: “The headlines say it all – “Poor nations lose in watered-down UN document.” If you were wondering what sort of impact John Bolton would have at the UN, look no further. From The Guardian: “Final draft a bland version of Gleneagles promises. No new money for aid and debt relief.” What a world we live in. Those that exploit get to argue over the extremity of their usury while those that they exploit must not only struggle to survive, but also politely endure the indignity.”
Today’s Democracy: “I have made it no secret that I thought the UN has need reform for a while. There is a place for the United Nations. In both “Questioning our U.N. Role, organizations like the United Nations, as the primary example, have a role to play. I am not of the opinion that complete abolishment is the right answer nor am I an advocate. Obvious to me, the potential role of the U.N. is enormous. However the UN should be providing military intervention for humanitarian reasons. Humanitarian is the key word.”
World Summit Opens
“The 2005 World Summit, expected to be the largest gathering ever of international leaders, opened at United Nations Headquarters in New York today with a warning from Secretary-General Kofi Annan that “millions of lives and the hopes of billions” rest on fulfilling the pledges contained in the meeting’s outcome document.” [Read more]
And don’t miss the UN Foundation’s World Summit page.
World Leaders Seek to Invigorate UN at Age 60
“World leaders explore ways to revitalize the United Nations at a summit on Wednesday but their blueprint falls short of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s vision of freedom from want, persecution and war. [Full story]
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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