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Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
John J. Kirton and Radoslava N. Stefanova, eds. The G8, the United Nations and Conflict Prevention. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2004.
By Pamela Stewart, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of Calgary.
Abstract
The 2005 World Summit was, this September, held in New York City. The summit, more formally known as the "High-Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of The General Assembly of the United Nations," was, in the visionary words of Secretary General Kofi Annan, described as:
…a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the world to come together and take action on grave global threats that require bold global solutions… It is also a chance to revitalize the United Nations itself. It is, in short, an opportunity for all humankind.[1]
The implication here is that the United Nations is actually in need of revitalizing given its lackluster performance in stabilizing a globe facing rampant political, social and security threat challenges. A quick review of some of the Summit’s key outcomes reveals that the United Nations continues to be ineffectual in stopping the growth of the global nuclear weapons industry and has made minimal inroads against the overall proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Further, the Summit leaders were unable to finalize the existence of the Human Rights Council nor agree on the much-touted Peace Building Commission. And last, but not least, the world leaders were unable to discuss any changes to the Security Council, including the fundamental requirement to make its decisions more accountable and transparent. Overall, the Summit was a prime example of how the United Nations and, by association, the international community is currently functioning and organizing itself - not very well.