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The General Debate: Who Listens?

Big names spot the UN marquee as each Assembly opens. They come-- Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers-- to meet and mingle, to pay respects to the Secretary-General, to say their piece in the "general debate," and mayhap to see a Broadway play. A unique gathering of political leaders. Why do they come? Because this is the UN.

Two weeks of "general debate", it is called. In fact, it is not a debate, but a series of more-or-less set speeches proclaiming government views on whatever confronts the UN, on head-aches of the world, on troubles with their neighbours and troubles at home. Amidst familiar rhetoric are nuggets of wisdom, of problem analysis, of what to do. Leaders come, they speak, they go. What outcome?

Opportunities thus wasted lead on to Kofi Annan's ideas for harnessing this energy: "New Approaches to Policy Formulation", it is called in his Reform report. The idea is to focus one week of the high-level "debate" on one major issue each year, taking advantage of UN experience in its big thematic conferences during the past decade. Topics for these special G.A. "High level' reviews would be chosen two years ahead. For starts, the Secretary-General suggests that topics could be picked from the eight priorities in the UN medium-term plan for 1998-2001 (peace and security, sustained/sustainable development, development of Africa, human rights, humanitarian aid, international law, disarmament, drugs/crime/terror). I can think of other worthy topics, but it would be easier for the G.A. to agree on something on which they have already agreed. Similar thematic focussing is also recommended for the G.A.'s main committees. The Secretary-General also has practical operational suggestions for making the G.A. work better and quicker, shortening sessions by three weeks.

For years, developing countries have been calling for "revitalizing" the Assembly. (Vitalizing, maybe?) The basic issue is power: Security Council (Permanent 5) versus NAM et al. Rejiggering agenda and moving the furniture around would not solve that. But that is no reason for dismissing Kofi Annan's good ideas. One step is better than none. The G.A. said: thanks, we'll think about it.

So the 1997 "general debate" ran-- or rambled-- the usual course: 176 speakers, including 18 Heads of State, one Crown Prince, 14 Prime Ministers, 16 Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, 111 Ministers for Foreign Affairs, four other Ministers, and 12 Heads of Delegations. Before the debate began, the President reminded the Assembly that they were not to congratulate each other for their brilliant speeches; and that, after speaking they should leave by the back door behind the podium. Can we assume that even Heads of State and the Crown Prince had to back out? The written record of these proceedings comes to 676 pages and I guess you wouldn't much care if I skipped the whole affair. But somehow I can't. This year, after reviewing the record, I have decided to present more-or-less representative samples, focusing only on the major issues: peace and security, and development. This leaves out a lot of very interesting material: it's all available if you want to go for it. Meantime, for what it's worth, here is my sampling:

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

With 113 members, largest group at the UN. Development must be top UN job, with special attention to the poorest countries. Concerned over weakening General Assembly. UN has primary responsibility for peace and security. G.A. should have greater role in this. Security Council should consult troop contributors.

The Group of 77 (G77)

This group of developing countries, which overlaps with NAM, is concerned specifically with development. Their Ministerial Declaration, issued on 26 September 1997, welcomed the Adoption of the Agenda for Development (principles, objectives, actions, international arrangements). Political commitment is essential to make it work.

European Union (EU)

With the Amsterdam Treaty (17 June 1997) the EU is achieving greater consistency in external relations, giving it more clout internationally. The EU is the largest contributor to the UN (35% of the regular budget and 38% of the peacekeeping budget).

The EU is concerned about the growing inequality between "North and South" that attends globalization. The EU is based on democracy and a social market economy in which social welfare is protected. UN needs better and quicker peacekeeping ability, and greater strength for peacemaking, conflict prevention and reconstruction.

Group of 8 (G7 plus Russia)

Reaffirm UN crucial role in peace and security and in sustainable development. Strengthen UN capacity to prevent conflict and to act fast in peacekeeping. For economic and social development, better coordination of UN entities is necessary. All countries and all social strata should be able to enjoy economic benefits of globalization.

Denmark (OSCE)

"As Chairman-in-office of the OSCE, my Foreign Minister has given high priority to strengthening the relationship between the OSCE and the United Nations."

U.S.A. (President Clinton)

UN priority is peace and security. New strategy for security is needed. Expanded NATO and free trade blocs will help. UN should help rebuild after conflict. Global growth should not widen rich/poor gap. UN aid must promote self-help, especially through education and technology. "We are committed to seeing the UN succeed in the twenty-first century." Working with Congress to pay arrears to UN and to assure future contributions.

Russia

World is becoming multi-polar. Although Russia and NATO have achieved a compromise ("Founding Act on Mutual Relations"), the expansion of NATO is bad. The continental OSCE is the way to go.

All peacekeeping anywhere involving force must be authorized by the Security Council. Regional conflicts should be resolved so as to respect territorial integrity while protecting minorities.

Belarus

The UN must become the mainstream of development for all mankind. With UN aid, this year Belarus hosted 30-nation conference on sustainable development in countries in economic transition. NATO should become a universal European organization for peace and security, like OSCE; and with this in mind, Belarus may wish to join the NATO-related Partnership for Peace.

Georgia

"We are obliged to note that regrettably the conflict in Abkhazia has become a kind of touchstone exposing the inadequacy of the United Nations' efforts."

Tajikistan

Grateful to UN, Russia, Iran for helping achieve settlement in Tajikistan and will need continuing support.

Conflict in Afghanistan destabilizes Tajiks and all around.

With its economy in transition and damaged by civil war, Tajikistan needs special UN attention, along lines of Agenda for Development.

India

"The Non-Aligned Movement retains its validity and relevance."

Most important UN target is sustained economic growth in developing countries and eradicating poverty.

India is promoting cooperation among countries around the Indian Ocean.

China

World moves towards multipolarity.

Military alliances can't make for peace.

In 1997, China and C.I.S. border countries (Russia) agreed to reduce military on frontier.

UN Reform should emphasize development, but countries should do it their way.

International financial market is risky and needs stabilization.

Vietnam

International cooperation for development of poor nations is necessary to avoid deeper crises. Grateful for UN aid. Vietnam will host Francophonie summit soon and ASEAN Summit in 1998.

Egypt

Complex and interwoven threats of today can be addressed only cooperatively through the United Nations.

Developing countries are not equipped to handle the security and economic impact of globalization: need UN help to formulate consensus on regulation of all that.

Iran

Achievement of a global civil society rests on universal law and empowered participation. The United Nations is the unique institution based on these principles, with norms acceptable to all peoples. The new administration in Iran seeks to cooperate with all countries in accordance with UN charter principles.

Argentina

Essential UN role is maintenance of peace and security, and this requires sustainable development. Globalization makes us take another look at conventional "national sovereignty".

United Nations needs capacity for rapid deployment for peacekeeping.

Brazil

Must renew UN in its irreplaceable role of promoting peace and development. Integration of "southern cone" states in MERCOSUR (common market) supports stability and development.

Cuba

At this Assembly in 1964, Che Guevara said: "Imperialism seeks to convert this meeting into a pointless competition in oratory, to prevent it from solving the serious problems of the world." Things have got worse since then.

Organization of African Unity (OAU)

"Any attempts to re-fashion an exclusively political mandate for the United Nations will marginalize its role in development, while giving free rein to blind market forces and finance capital."

Ghana

UN peacekeeping is skewed towards areas of strategic importance to rich countries, neglecting Africa.

UN needs strengthening to implement the Agenda for Development.

South Africa

Supports stronger, rapid peacekeeping. More preventive diplomacy. Deep concern over continuing conflicts in Africa, despite efforts of OAU and leaders. Adoption of Agenda for Development is good but now must deliver.

Côte d'Ivoire

Conditions in Africa require "a concerted policy of international security and implementation of preventive strategies." Côte d'Ivoire will participate. Now arranging peacekeeping force among neighbouring countries.

Globalization fails to open markets to African exports and does not compensate for reduced development aid. Côte d'Ivoire is strengthening its own democratic polity.

Senegal

Pleased to participate in UN peacekeeping. Although improved, UN peacekeeping lacks the mandate and means to act where fighting continues. In such conditions, best give the task to Member States with UN O.K. Welcomes Agenda for Development.

Rwanda

New political order emerging in Africa. Grateful for special Security Council meeting

25 September on Africa. The continent has been suffering from ignorance, poverty, bad leaders, coups d'état and foreign meddling. The UN abandoned Rwanda just when genocide was beginning. Hope UN will now support the new African order and attack the sources of Africa's troubles. Right now, there is no UN strategy to do this.

Canada

Is it maturity or cunning to don this mask of modesty, putting Canada last in this recitation? If I hold to my focus on security and development, I have no trouble with the Canadian approach to security. We maintain our conviction that only a multilateral system can work, that the old balance-of-power formula always breaks down, and that durable security is "human security". This would imply massive support for development, human development, which I don't see in Canada's address. Plenty of good concrete support to specifics but no clear declaration of basic policy on development. The full text of Foreign Minister Axworthy's address is in Annex 1.

So much for my sampling. To round up, I draw on President Udovenko's concluding remarks.

The general debate is "an accurate barometer of world opinion, especially as it pertains to the United Nations." This debate shows that "the barometer is pointing towards good weather."

Nearly everyone supported the Secretary-General's reform plan.

"There is also a broad understanding that the reform of the Security Council is a key issue for the United Nations that demands a well thought out and balanced decision."

The Organization's financial status gave a "pessimistic undertone" to the debate. Members spoke of the urgent need to put the UN on a sound financial base. Strong appeals were made to delinquents to meet their legal obligations.

Members also pointed to the need to revise the scale of assessed contributions.

"The general debate has demonstrated that the international community continues to concentrate its efforts on the resolution of the most acute problems facing humankind. The concern of the Member States remained focused on areas of instability. The conflicts in the Middle East and in the Great Lakes region of Africa, in Central Asia and in the Balkans were particularly disturbing. The internationalization of problems such as terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption, illicit arms trading and environmental pollution was also placed at the centre of the debate.

"The debate justifies the conclusion that an adequate response to these and other issues is to be delivered through a continuing process of negotiations; a resolute policy of disarmament, both of weapons of mass destruction and of conventional weapons; the promotion of sustainable development; the further strengthening of human rights machinery; and the gradual reorientation of the United Nations peacekeeping activities toward the preventive diplomacy.

"In the political area, a clear trend had emerged towards focusing on prevention rather than on peacemaking and peace enforcement. The emphasis was put on the preventive presence of troops or their rapid deployment to avoid an escalation of hostilities as well as on post-conflict peace-building as a way of preventing the recurrence of crises in the future.

"The promotion of economic and social progress, the eradication of poverty, ways to ensure the widest possible participation in an expanding world economy, and regional integration and cooperation justifiably occupied a predominant place in the general debate.

"It was clearly stressed that the process of globalization, which is now bringing both opportunities and dangers to Member States, should lead to an increasingly integrated approach to development and benefit all nations. The barriers that are still maintained in order to hamper access to foreign markets and the discriminatory and protectionist practices in international trade must be eliminated in order to bring a vision of global free trade to reality.

"Achieving sustained growth and sustainable development must remain a major global objective. There are persistent problems, such as lack of safe water, threats to biological diversity, ozone loss, global warming, declining land productivity and desertification. Sustained growth is essential to the economic and social development of all countries. Its promotion will improve the standards of living through the eradication of poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

"The general debate has also witnessed support for encouraging human rights, democratization and good governance, as well as the advancement of women and protection of the rights of children and persons belonging to minorities. The need to strengthen the capacity of the United nations in these fields has been stressed by many speakers. It is therefore our responsibility to protect the philosophy of the Charter of the United Nations and further develop the role of this Organization in the economic and social spheres.

"It is also our responsibility not to lose the spirit of cooperation and commitment at the high political level that has been demonstrated in the general debate. We should direct our future work in the plenary and the Main Committees in such a way as to embody them in the decision-making process. At present, this Organization depends to a decisive extent on what we are saying or doing. It is in our hands to agree on what kind of United Nations we wish to have in the future."

Before gavelling the end, the President said he was pleased that more women delegates had participated. He thanked everyone but refrained from congratulations.