Page 212 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

the Council and has mentioned the results of a questionnaire distributed to
Member States that indicates a consensus exists to support adding two or three
permanent members. The importance of giving more opportunities to the
different regions of the world to be represented is also recognized.

However, such reform is for the General Assembly to decide in accordance
with Article 108 of the Charter, which requires the agreement of the five
permanent members of the Security Council. While reform of the membership
and mandate of the Security Council is not likely to occur this year, other
changes are being implemented. For example, troop-contributing countries to
UN peace-keeping operations are now better informed of the planning for, and
developments in, these operations than was the situation one year ago.

Another example of reform is increased financial responsibility. The
Secretary-General has recently proposed reducing the budget of the United
Nations by more than 4 per cent. Improved administrative and management
techniques and the utilization of appropriate technologies have permitted the
UN to be more productive and responsive to the needs of its Member States.
Furthermore, as the decision to withdraw from Somalia, indicates the United
Nations is able to make difficult and painful decisions on how best to use its
limited financial and human resources. However, the repeated admonishment
that the “UN must learn to do more with less” must not be seen as a panacea.
Providing support to more than 27 million refugees, displaced persons and
victims of war does not come cheaply. And yet, only about a quarter of its
Member States pay their dues to the regular budget fully and on time. As of the
end of last month, outstanding contributions to the Organization had risen to
over US$ 3.7 billion. Monies are now being borrowed from the separate peace-
keeping budget to keep things running. This will further undermine the
Organization's ability to pay Member States who have and are continuing to
contribute troops and equipment to current peace-keeping operations, and
who are already owed more than US$ 900 million. In order to undertake the
crucial role that the UN is asked to perform, the Member States must make the
necessary monies available.

Conclusion:

As you can see, in recent years, the United Nations has attempted
numerous ambitious projects: some respond to crises - both prevention and
solutions - others to assist in development and the protection of basic human
rights. Of course, in undertaking these pioneering works, there have been

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