Hugh argues for change

MP CALLS FOR REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Hugh Robertson has called for reform of the United Nations. Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons the MP drew on personal experience to praise many areas of the UN’s work but also to highlight the need for reform in some UN bodies.

As a young Army officer, Hugh served with the UN force in Cyprus in 1988 and then in 1994 he returned to Bosnia for six months, working with the UN High Commission for Refugees. Since entering Parliament, he has continued his support, regularly taking part in the UNICEF Schools Day.

The MP said that the financing of the UN needs reform. At the moment some countries pay disproportionate sums, with the United States, the EU and Japan paying approximately 75% of the contributions. Hugh said: “We should work out a new system in which the United States and Japan pay about 10%, the EU pays about 35% and a much greater percentage – about 45% comes from others.”

Hugh said that the structure of the UN needs reform saying: “Threats are less local and more global, and include terrorism, drugs, environmental and immigration issues. The structure of the UN should reflect that.”

On recruitment reform the MP said: “Too many people occupy senior positions because they are their country’s representatives, rather than because they deserve to be there on merit. The UN must have in place a proper recruiting structure, open to everyone, with appropriate educational opportunities for all those who enter its service.”

Hugh stressed that the UN has excelled in many things, especially in the economic and social sphere and has done much that is positive, such as peacekeeping. Whilst supporting the UN, however, he said that we could not be blind to its problems.