The UN at a Crossroads

Kofi Annan suggested in 2003 that the UN was at a “fork in the road”. Where do these forks lead and what are the principle challenges we face as a world community in choosing the correct path?

As many may be aware, the Secretary General’s High Level Panel was recently concluded and outlined a vigorous set of recommendations linked to development and security, recommendations which include enlargement of the Security Council. Two forthcoming events, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development and the Millennium Review Summit, will give the UN a unique opportunity to act on these directives. We all await the result.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry has been United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations since July 2003, after serving for two years as United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels. He was Political Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1998-2001 and European Union Director from 1997-1998. A multilateralist, Sir Emyr believes that the UN is the indispensable global organization helping to tackle the problems of a globalizing world.