FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2004 See also www.worldfederalistscanada.org for the text of the UN High Level Panel’s report High Level Panel releases UN reform proposals World Federalists welcome growing debate on changes to global governance institutions The World Federalist Movement – Canada (WFMC) welcomes the release today of the report of the United Nations High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. "This could signal the beginning of a historic process of global governance reform," said WFMC President Warren Allmand. The High Level Panel was appointed last year by Kofi Annan to assess a range of international security threats and recommend reforms to the UN system. There are 101 recommendations in the 92-page report. "While we don’t agree with some of the High Level Panel’s recommendations," said Allmand, "there are a number of other excellent proposals that we do support." "However, the important challenge for Canada and other governments that want a strengthened multilateral system, is to engage in the coming dialogue on global governance in such a way that consensus on a package of reforms remains a possibility." "At this stage, the process is more important than the substance of any particular reform initiative," said Allmand. "Governments must avoid letting their narrow national interests obstruct progress toward a renewed collective security system. This is where Paul Martin’s "G-20 Leaders initiative" could be useful in helping to build that consensus." Next steps in the international process include: - an additional UN report (expected this January) on international progress implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), commitments adopted five years ago on reducing poverty and promoting development; - consultations led by Secretary-General Annan (leading to a report by March 2005) to determine where progress is possible on both the MDGs and the recommendations of the High Level Panel; - further consultation among governments on the report from Annan leading to a possible package of reforms at the "Millennium + 5" Summit to take place September 2005 in New York. One topic where reform discussions are closely watched is the question of restructuring the UN Security Council. The High Level Panel makes two proposals. Both formulas for an enlarged Security Council increase the membership to 24, from the current 15, but differ on allowing more permanent seats. The first provides for six new permanent seats without veto power (in addition to the five permanent members with the veto) and three new two-year rotating seats divided among the UN's regional groupings. The second plan envisages no new permanent seats but creates a new category of eight four-year renewable-term seats, and adds one new two-year non-permanent, non-renewable seat, all without veto power. "From a World Federalist perspective, both of these proposals are not good," said Allmand. "The second is slightly better than the first, as it would lead to more regional caucusing on security issues, rather than anointing a particular regional hegemon. But both introduce a third tier of Council membership and would as a result be more likely to lead to a Council that is less able to take timely and effective decisions." "More importantly, our concern is that all the haggling and horse-trading over re-arranging the seats at the Security Council table will paralyze discussions on other important and necessary reforms." Some of the significant reforms put forward by the High Level Panel that should be supported include: - A "Peacebuilding Commission" combining various agencies and elements of the UN system to identify countries that are under stress and risk sliding towards State collapse; to assist in the planning and mobilizing resources for transitions between conflict and post-conflict peacebuilding. - Recommendations supporting the "responsibility to protect" proposal as an emerging international norm. Canada has led diplomatically in advancing the notion of the responsibility to protect, which would re-define state sovereignty to confer on the international community a duty to intervene for humanitarian purposes when governments are unable or unwilling to protect civilians threatened by genocide or crimes against humanity. - Strengthening the UN’s Economic and Social Council in order that it become a "development cooperation forum," coordinating the disparate activities of a number of agencies and the Bretton Woods institutions. It is hoped that this proposal would bring about cohesion between policies of international agencies (for example the World Trade Organization and the International Labor Organization) that often work at cross-purposes or in an uncoordinated manner. - Reforms to the Commission on Human Rights that would universalize its membership and make it a more effective force for compliance with existing human rights standards. Of concern to World Federalists are the many recommendations that deal with the security threats posed by terrorism and propose greater preventive action to combat them. "Terrorism is a serious matter," said Allmand. "But it must be kept in its proper perspective. It is not a global causus belli. It is not among the greatest threats to security as experienced by the majority of the world’s citizens. It is, by and large a criminal matter that can and should be dealt with through effective international cooperation among police and judicial authorities." FOR MORE INFORMATION: Warren Allmand, President, WFM – Canada (514) 486-1811 Fergus Watt, Executive Director, WFM – Canada (613) 232-0647