Reforming international institutions
A more effective voice for poor countries and people
Enlisting the G8, the OECD and the Commonwealth
Measuring progress
Strengthening the international response to conflict
Mobilising civil society
Making globalisation work for the poor
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The UK Government will: · Work with others to build a
stronger, more open and accountable international system, in which poor people
and countries have a more effective voice. |
338. We live at a time of both opportunity and threat. Globalisation is generating massive new wealth, which creates the opportunity to reduce global poverty. But if it is not managed well, it could also pose a threat to stability and security across the world. If we are to make globalisation work better for poor people, we need a more effective, open and accountable international system. We need global political institutions to better manage and counterbalance global markets, and to help promote global social justice.
339. The international institutions have undergone significant reform over recent years. There is a growing commitment in the UN system to carry out its mandate on conflict resolution, and on development, more effectively. But much remains to be done. Similarly, the international financial institutions are increasingly strengthening their contribution to poverty reduction, but have the capacity to be more effective.
340. All of these institutions have now agreed to focus their efforts around the international development targets. But it is important that this commitment goes wider than the more effective use of aid resources. We need a focus on poverty reduction and greater coherence between policies on aid, trade, debt, investment, the environment, and conflict. And we need better co-ordination between all of the international institutions.
341. In this chapter we focus on how to enhance the overall contribution of the key institutions to poverty reduction, and on how to give developing countries a more effective voice within them. We also look at a number of other international institutions - the G8, the OECD and the Commonwealth - and suggest how they could contribute to making globalisation work better for the world's poor.
342. To increase their impact, many of these institutions require management reforms, as well as reforms to structures and working methods. We welcome the steps being taken by the UN Secretary-General to reform management practices and increase collaboration between UN development agencies. These reform agendas need to be driven forward more urgently.
343. There is also a need for continuous attention to issues of accountability and transparency in all institutions. Significant progress has been made in the IMF, in particular a commitment to establish an independent evaluation office to look at all aspects of the IMF's business. But more effort is needed to share analysis and build capacity for dialogue with developing countries.
344. Important steps have been taken in the Multilateral Development Bank, including on disclosure policies, independent evaluation, inspection mechanisms, and policy compliance. Other areas need further work, including the relationship between boards and management.
345. In all of these institutions, the UK Government favours open and competitive processes for the selection of top management. This could include a definition of the competencies for the post, selection and search committees and a clear process for taking the final decision, in which competence would be put above considerations of nationality.
346. Developing countries are entitled to a stronger and more effective voice in all of these international institutions. In many, such as the WTO, they constitute the overwhelming majority of the membership, and, with greater organisation, would be well placed to exert their influence. Some of the larger developing countries already play a very effective role in international institutions. But some of the smaller and least developed countries need further support to strengthen their representation and negotiating capacity.
347. Developing countries can also secure a more effective international voice through regional organisations, which can be particularly important as advocates for smaller countries. For example, the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, supported by the UK, has enabled some of the smaller Caribbean states to negotiate very effectively with its EU and North American partners. The UK Government will work to strengthen regional organisations and in particular help to enhance their capacity to promote the interests of smaller countries.
348. The UK Government has worked within the G8 to put development issues higher on the agenda, ranging from debt relief and aid untying, to fighting HIV/AIDS, promoting renewable energy and closing the digital divide. We believe that the G8 has a duty to take forward action on these issues. We particularly welcome the G8 decision to review annually progress towards the International Development Targets. We will seek to ensure that developing countries are fully involved in discussions with the G8 and the OECD on all initiatives affecting their interests.
349. The OECD has an important role to play. Earlier parts of this paper have referred to its work on transnationals, bribery and export credit. Its Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is a key forum in promoting the international development targets, better co-ordination of donor policies and procedures, and improvements in aid effectiveness. More generally, the OECD should become an important forum for integrating a development perspective into the analysis of key international economic issues. Progress has been made through the collaboration of its trade committee and the DAC. This should now be extended through all Directorates of the OECD.
350. The Commonwealth is a unique grouping, embracing developed, developing and least developed countries across all regions of the globe, and including many of the world's smallest countries. It is a valuable forum for addressing issues such as tax, competition, money laundering and corruption, as well as broader political issues such as good government. We will work to sharpen the focus of the Commonwealth's activities on its areas of comparative advantage.
351. Good statistics tell us whether policy interventions are working or not, and which ones work better than others. They are critical for evidence-based policymaking. But good data is also crucial in mobilising political will. If we cannot tell with any accuracy whether development efforts are proving effective, the public have no way of judging progress. But if we can measure success and show where development works, we are much better placed to increase public support and the political will for further action.
352. There is currently a critical shortfall in the international and national effort devoted to developing statistical capacity. In recent years we have worked to increase the commitment to progress, and there have been some important steps forward. In 1999, at the G8 summit, it was agreed that progress against the International Development Targets should be measured annually. The IMF, World Bank, UN and the OECD launched the Better World for All report at the UN special session in Geneva in June 2000. This set out progress so far towards the International Development Targets and the further effort that is required to reach them. The UK is also providing support to a new international partnership in statistics for the 21st century (PARIS21) - a consortium established to help build statistical capacity in developing countries.
353. A strengthened international system has a crucial role to play in dealing with violent conflict. The UN Secretary General has put conflict prevention at the top of his agenda. In many parts of the UN system there are signs of a willingness to try new approaches, and to work more collaboratively. Reviews and evaluations - including the Secretary General's reports on the genocide in Rwanda and the events in Srebrenica - have demonstrated a readiness to acknowledge past failure.
354. The UK is committed to working for a stronger UN contribution to conflict prevention, resolution and peace-building. We agree with the recommendations in the Brahimi Report on UN Peacekeepingxl. This Report calls for an overhaul of the management of UN peacekeeping operations in New York and a more robust posture by UN peacekeeping forces in the field. And it calls for better analysis of conflict situations, and better training and skills for UN officials involved in this area. It also calls for stronger inter-agency arrangements for planning, implementation and co-ordinating conflict-related activities and for improvements in the performance of in-country UN peace making and peace building missions, especially the efforts of the Special Representatives of the Secretary General. The UK Government believes that the Brahimi Report should be implemented within 12 monthsxli. We also believe that there is an important role for regional organisations in conflict prevention, resolutions and peace-building.
355. Where there are large-scale violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity, and where the government in question is unable or unwilling to halt the atrocities, the UK believes that the international community should take action. The action may take a number of forms. Once all non-violent measures have been exhausted, it may, in exceptional circumstances, be necessary and appropriate to use force to achieve the humanitarian purpose. Kosovo and East Timor are two recent examples.
356. We would wish to see the Security Council, acting on behalf of all UN members, take the lead in responding to such humanitarian catastrophes. The UK remains at the forefront of efforts to build international consensus on the conditions and circumstances when the Security Council should authorise intervention for humanitarian purposes.
357. When violent conflicts end, it is also vital that the international community should support the conditions for sustainable peace. Without such support, many post-conflict societies are liable to fall back into conflict. We will work with other development agencies and international institutions to support improved post-conflict reconstruction and peace building, including disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes.
358. We will work with others in such countries to help rebuild inclusive political institutions. It is often the absence or weakness of these institutions - and therefore the absence of any means of resolving tensions and conflicts peacefully - that leads to violence.
359. We fully support the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and are bringing forward legislation to ratify the Rome Statute. The ICC will be a major advance for international humanitarian and human rights law. Once established, it will help to end impunity for gross human rights violations and for war crimes. Bringing to justice those responsible for serious crimes against humanity can help promote the prospect of reconciliation in countries that have been scarred by violent conflict.
360. If the international system is to work for poor people, we need stronger national and global civil society demanding the changes necessary to deliver the International Development Targets. The spread of democracy across the world has created an opportunity for progress.
361. It is particularly important to strengthen the voices of civil society in developing countries. The Voices of the Poor consultation showed that poor people place their greatest trust in churches and faith groups. But other groups - human rights and women’s organisations, trade unions, NGOs and co-operatives - could also play a stronger role in giving poor people a greater voice.
362. There is also an important role for civil society in developed countries. The UK Government works closely and constructively with NGOs and other elements of UK civil society. However, we are also committed to improving the transparency and accountability of NGOs and other parts of civil society, to the people on whose behalf they speak.
363. We will continue to give priority to development education and awareness, and will work to strengthen public understanding of globalisation and sustainable development. Early in the next Parliament we will hold a further round of Development Policy Forums across the UK, involving groups and individuals from across society (see box 16). We have worked to ensure that the revised national curriculum in England incorporates a commitment to sustainable development and a global dimension in education. We will now focus our efforts on providing appropriate guidance and support for teachers. We are undertaking similar work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
BOX 16
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DEVELOPMENT POLICY FORUMS Following the 1997 White Paper on International Development
the UK Government organised two rounds of full-day discussions across the UK on
development issues. Participants were drawn from NGOs, trade unions, ethnic
minority groups, businesses, local government, community groups and the faiths,
as well as Ministers and officials from a number of government departments. The
discussions were intended as an opportunity to listen to a wide variety of
views, to discuss government policy and to build support for development.
Globalisation will be a key issue for future Forums |
365. Making globalisation work for the world's poor is the greatest moral challenge facing our generation. The new millennium brings to humanity both the real prospect of meeting the International Development Targets by 2015, and the capacity to eliminate global poverty completely in the course of the century.
366. Our ambitions must match that potential. The institutions and governments of the international system must be held to account for their effectiveness - above all, their effectiveness in managing the forces of globalisation for the benefit of those who are born into deprivation, squalor and poverty.
367. The policies set out in this White Paper will ensure that the UK continues to work to this end. They will increase social justice. They are also in the UK's self-interest because they will contribute to a more stable and prosperous world at a time when no country can be isolated from global developments. The Government will take them forward with vigour and determination.
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THE UK GOVERNMENT WILL: · Support open and competitive processes for the selection of the top management of international institutions. · Work to strengthen the development efforts of the G8, the OECD and the Commonwealth, and for G8 and OECD decisions to take greater account of developing country interests. · Support the development of international and national statistical capacity, so that we can measure progress against the International Development Targets. · Work to enhance and improve the effectiveness the UN's role in conflict prevention and peace-building, and to secure agreement to the implementation of the Brahimi Report within 12 months. · Bring forward legislation to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and encourage other countries to do so. · Work with civil society to strengthen the capacity of poor people to hold governments and international institutions to account for progress on poverty reduction. · Build on our successful programme of Development Policy Forums with a further round focused on globalisation and poverty in the new Parliament. · Publish an account of
progress towards the International Development Targets, which could form the
basis for regular parliamentary debates. |
