• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization Following is the Secretary-General’s report on the work of the Organization [A/64/1], dated 4 August 2009, submitted to the sixty-third session of the General Assembly. The Assembly took note of it on 6 October (decision 64/504). Chapter I that lie at the core of the United Nations mission. Introduction To meet these challenges will require a multilateral effort of immense magnitude—one that draws upon 1. Ten years into the new millennium, the scope the strengths and contributions of all the countries of and magnitude of the tectonic shifts that are shap- the world, as well as their citizens. ing the emerging global landscape are coming into 5. Twenty-first century multilateralism must sharper relief. The accelerated globalization of recent build on the multilateral foundations of the previous decades has linked people’s fates together in ways we century, but must also broaden and deepen them in could only have imagined when the United Nations dramatic new ways. There are five essential elements was created 64 years ago. of a new multilateralism that can lead us through the 2. In recent times, the world has experienced current crisis-ridden landscape to a more bountiful, unprecedented prosperity, peace, convergence on peaceful and sustainable future. an increasingly universal normative framework and, thanks to the expansion of global communication, 6. First, the new multilateralism must prioritize a heightened sense of community. However, not every- the provision of global public goods that counter one has benefited from these global developments. those threats that are contagious across borders and Indeed, some have been left behind. that most directly link the destinies of all our peo- ples: we must deal with climate change; ensuring eco- 3. Just as over the past few decades, lives around nomic stability, food availability and prosperity for the globe have become increasingly intertwined, so all; global health; disarmament and non-proliferation; today, as our world is wracked by crisis, globalization and the struggle against terrorism. is uniting our destinies in unprecedented ways. This past year the shock waves from the economic crisis 7. Second, a new twenty-first century multilat- spread to all corners of the globe with devastating eralism must recognize the complex interconnec- effects on the most vulnerable populations and coun- tions among the challenges that confront us, both tries. An ongoing crisis of food insecurity continues the global goods issues and the ongoing challenges of to ravage families and communities, with over 1 bil- national and regional conflicts, humanitarian disas- lion people now going to bed hungry every night. ters and the struggle for truly universal human rights. The influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, the first influenza Solving the problems one by one is neither possible, pandemic in over 40 years, has reminded us that our nor efficient nor effective. An integrated approach most precious commodity—our health—is linked to must inform our every effort. that of every other individual on the planet. Looming 8. Third, it must privilege the most vulnerable over all these crises, and potentially dwarfing them, people around the world and must deliver much- the climate crisis we face continues to unfold, with needed security, development and human rights for scientists warning that the changes to our planet and them. This is essential both on moral grounds, as its people are happening faster, and with a more se- solidarity is the glue which will keep our human vere impact, than most of our models predicted even family together, and on enlightened self-interest a year or two ago. grounds. The systematic bias against the poor and 4. We stand on a precipice. And yet, we cannot most vulnerable in good times and bad is simply lose our nerve, or let the multiple crises turn into a not sustainable. Twenty-first century globalization crisis of confidence of our peoples. This is the ultimate must be for all, and must in the first instance be multilateral moment. We are seeing the convergence premised on realization of the Millennium Develop- of complex challenges across a spectrum of issues ment Goals. 3 4 Yearbook of the United Nations, 2009 9. Fourth, it must bring to bear a much broader Chapter II and deeper set of forces to address the multiple crises, Delivering results for people most in need broadening our collective response to include at its core, not as add-ons, constituencies from the private 14. As the financial and economic crisis threatens sector, civil society and academia. Multi-stakeholder to drive nations to look inward, now more than ever, coalitions must become the norm and not the excep- the United Nations has an important role to play in tion if we are to successfully address the challenges giving voice to the voiceless and meeting the needs before us. of the most vulnerable. 10. Fifth, our new multilateralism will need 15. There is no question that the economic crisis to adapt and strengthen the existing global multi- is affecting us all in developing and developed coun- lateral architecture to address the challenges of the tries alike. The United Nations report World economic twenty-first century. This will mean drawing upon situation and prospects as of mid-2009 (E/2009/73) the strengths of all nations, particularly those that are foresees that the world economy will shrink by 2.6 per rising with the new century. It will mean harnessing cent in 2009, the first negative global growth since the both power and principle. A choice between one or Second World War. the other is a false one. It also means improving the 16. Notwithstanding the hardships faced in channels and mechanisms that ensure that the voices many parts of the developed world, the scenarios un- of the weak and vulnerable are heard in key decision- folding in many developing countries are grimmer. making forums. The United Nations is uniquely At least 60 developing countries are expected to face positioned to marshal this effort. declining per capita income. Weak capacities for cri- 11. Strengthening our multilateral institutional sis mitigation in most developing countries further architecture will also require adapting our multilat- threaten to undermine efforts to address poverty, eral mechanisms to be significantly more robust, as hunger and disease. well as faster, more flexible and responsive than they 17. As the guardian of the global development have ever been. This is due in part to the fact that and security agenda, the United Nations must play the accelerated pace of life in our contemporary glo- a key role in addressing these crises. It must use this balized world has shrunk our time horizons, requir- historical moment to promote progress. ing much faster decision-making, and in part to the fact that the alliances and cooperation necessary to A. Development achieve desired goals increasingly vary widely from 18. In 2000, with the adoption of the Millennium issue area to issue area and change over time. Development Goals, the United Nations charted out 12. The United Nations can and should be the an ambitious course for development. Today, that hub of the new multilateralism. The Organization course is threatened by uncertainty. However, if the must provide the platform to harmonize competing global community responds with unity and in a de- interests and views of how to solve the problems the termined and coordinated fashion, we will be able to world faces. The United Nations must also continue overcome this difficult period in the world’s history to develop its ability to deliver the required services and secure peace and prosperity for all. to people all over the world, especially those most in 1. The Millennium Development Goals and the need. Not only is this a natural vocation for a uni- other internationally agreed development versal organization, it is also the comparative advan- goals tage of an organization that has global reach, draws 19. With economies contracting, the resources upon the resources and strengths of all nations and needed to ensure continued progress towards the is charged by its Member States to address the broad Millennium Development Goals are in short supply spectrum of security, development, humanitarian and these days. At the same time, the demand has never human rights challenges. been greater. The Millennium Development Goals 13. The Organization is committed to adapting require our redoubled efforts from now till the target to the new realities of this millennium and as this date of 2015. As detailed in the 2009 Millennium report reveals, has already taken many proactive steps Development Goals Report, in areas where global in- to do so. However, without the full engagement and vestments have been scaled up—such as in efforts on support of Member States, the magnitude of the aids, tuberculosis, malaria and vaccine-preventable global changes under way will quickly overtake our diseases—we are seeing heartening progress. In areas capacities. But with the help and commitment of our where Millennium Development Goal investments Member States, the Organization can be the agent of are still lagging, such as primary education, maternal transformation that helps the human family adjust health, smallholder agriculture and basic infrastruc- and adapt to the tremors and tectonic shifts reshap- ture for the poor, the world is far behind in reaching ing our world. its agreed targets. Report of the Secretary-General 5 20. Current projections suggest that overall ity and poverty reduction. Health is at the heart of poverty rates in the developing world will still fall the Millennium Development Goals and a critical in 2009, but at a much slower pace than before the precondition for progress towards most other goals.

Load more

  34

Copy Link