Reform of the United Nations

Strengthening the organization of the United Nations (UN) is one of the priorities of Swiss UN policy. Since it was founded, in 1945, the UN has carried out a number of major reforms to adapt to the expectations and needs of the day, and the current reform process is a continuation of this. Switzerland is actively involved and submits proposals for improving the effectiveness of UN instruments. Its commitment is typified by a constructive attitude and dependability.

• Human rights and in particular the Human Rights Council to which Switzerland was elected for a three-year period on 9 May 2006
• Improving the working methods of the UN Security Council
• The structure and resources of the new Peacebuilding Commission
• Reform of internal management

Having completed the institutional consolidation phase in June 2007, the Human Rights Council is now focusing on its actual mandate. This includes fully implementing such innovations as the Universal Periodic Review (to which all States are subject), strengthening its technical support capacities, promoting education and training in human rights, and working to ensure greater respect for human rights throughout the world. Switzerland supports the Human Rights Council in these tasks.

 

At the UN World Summit in September 2005, the heads of state and government of the Member States reaffirmed the central role of the Security Council in maintaining world peace and international security. At the same time, however, they called for reform of its composition and working methods.

In cooperation with Liechtenstein, Costa Rica, Singapore and Jordan, Switzerland developed a range of solutions, which are designed in particular:

• to make the decision-making process more transparent
• to improve the opportunities for countries not represented on the Security Council to get involved
• to intensify consultations between the Security Council, troop-providing countries, neighbouring countries affected and regional organizations
• to turn experiences of implementing the Security Council’s resolutions to better account
• to create a mechanism through which individuals can assert their view if they feel they have been unjustly affected by sanctions 

Most countries seldom have the opportunity to take a seat on the Security Council, and when they do it is only for a short time. However, all UN Member States are called on to participate in the implementation of resolutions such as sanctions and peace operations. Consequently, a great many countries desire better collaboration between the Security Council and the other UN Member States. Thanks to the initiative of Switzerland and its partners, the Security Council has already adopted a number of proposals for the reform of its working methods. 

The UN’s sphere of action and operational needs have changed greatly in recent years. The present-day UN can be described as a complex, multinational structure. Its local presence in the field missions has been greatly expanded. Such has been the momentum of the UN’s evolution into a more field-oriented organization that adjustments on the managerial side could no longer keep pace, so a root-and-branch reform of its internal management became essential.
At present, for example, the Secretary General and his executives lack the freedom of action they need in order to steer the organization more flexibly in terms of personnel and funding, so that it can live up to higher expectations. Therefore, the Secretary General is to be given greater managerial freedom. Moreover, the scandal surrounding the “Oil-for-Food” programme brought into sharp relief the shortcomings of the UN’s internal supervisory mechanisms, which were designed to ensure that the Secretary General can be effectively called to account for the strategy adopted and the organization’s management. Changes are vital here too and have already been initiated.

Switzerland is actively committed to a more efficient and effective UN whose management, with the aid of contemporary practices, conscientiously and efficiently lives up to the heightened demands and bears the responsibility which these demands entail.