Reform of international institutions : towards a Commonwealth agenda.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Commonwealth Secretariat.

Series:

Economic paper (Commonwealth Secretariat) ; 85.

Economic paper ; 85

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

International agencies.

International organization.

Physical Description:

vi, 85 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Commonwealth Secretariat, [2009]

Summary:

In today's world, responses to global challenges can only be achieved by collective debate and action. A coordinated response is required to achieve satisfactory and sustainable outcomes, however, international institutions are no longer placed to support an adequate response to these challenges: they are structurally outdated and in urgent need of reform.

This timely and relevant book examines three sets of major international institutions: the UN, the World Bank and IMF, and institutions concerned with international environmental governance. The authors, all experts in international policy, argue that current global concerns have outgrown the existing system and an effective response requires serious multilateral co-operation. International institutions must become more efficient and inclusive of emerging economies and smaller states in order to become relevant and effective.

Reform of international institutions is essential for future economic stability and sustainable development. There must be bold steps towards real change. By highlighting the issues and offering recommendations for next steps this book aims to push debate in order to accelerate reform.

Contents:

1 Introduction / Jonathan Ockenden 1

Background 1

Why international institutions matter 2

Why reform? 2

The Commonwealth initiative 4

Next steps 5

2 A Commonwealth Initiative to Support UN Reform / Simon Maxwell 6

Summary 6

Core questions 8

Transnational issues for the twenty-first century 8

International collective action 13

Priorities for the UN 15

An assessment of UN capacity 15

Agendas for change 18

Progress in achieving change 19

Accelerating reform 21

What else should be on the agenda? 22

Implementation issues and next steps 23

Annex 2.1 Summary of Recommendations of the 2004 High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change 25

Annex 2.2 The Peacebuilding Commission 39

Annex 2.3 Current official development assistance and future projections 49

3 The Reform of International Environment Governance: An Agenda for the Commonwealth / W Bradnee Chambers 51

Summary 51

Introduction 53

Challenges in international environmental governance 53

Current reform processes and country positions 56

Options for a Commonwealth agenda on IEG reform 58

Conclusion 63

Annex 3.1 Recent Developments in International Environmental Governance Reform 65

4 A Commonwealth Initiative to Support Reform of the IMF and the World Bank / Ngaire Woods 69

The urgency of reform: why now? 69

Listening beyond Washington DC 71

What needs to be done? 73

A Commonwealth strategy: three reform agendas 75

A checklist for Commonwealth governments 78.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 85).

ISBN:

9780850928976

0850928974

OCLC:

299702921