Germany Tips UN Revival

Germany Tips UN Revival As Nations Appreciate Its Indispensability In Dealing With Crises

New York, Sep 22 2006 7:00PM

The United Nations is set to enjoy a resurgence, even among wavering Member States, as the complexity and number of crises keep rising, Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the General Assembly today.

Speaking during the annual debate in New York, Mr. Steinmeier said the UN is indispensable because it embodies – through its many programmes and agencies – a vision of a world striving for peace, security and an end to poverty.

“I am convinced that we will need the UN more than ever in the coming decades,” he said. “The number and scale of crises in the world are increasing. That could bring about a renaissance of the UN, even in countries which are sometimes still sceptical about the world Organization.”

Linking the UN’s international reputation to its effectiveness, he said it was essential to reform the Organization and ensure that its various institutions and structures are as transparent as possible.

“With the expectations placed in the United Nations rising, this is especially urgent in the case of the review of mandates, as well as management and financial reform.”

Dr. Steinmeier also said that Germany’s own recent history highlighted how UN Member States “have to do everything in our power to prevent the world from dividing up once more into hostile blocs.”

He said politicians had a particular responsibility. “It is my firm conviction that anyone who instigates antagonism between people of different cultures and religions is not living up to their responsibility.”

Ends

© Scoop Media