Govt pledges cash to help UN reforms

Ireland will fully back reforms to make the UN a more effective body during 2006, it was claimed today.

The Irish Government is set to give €13.7m to the New York-based organisation during 2006 and 2007.

It will also pledge €28m to the new Peacebuilding Commission which will help stabilise countries ravaged by war and violence.

Ireland contributed €10m to the Commission’s fund when it was established last month.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today said Ireland would fully support UN reforms committed to at the World Summit in New York in September.

Mr Ahern said today: “2006 will be an important year for the future of the United Nations.

“I pledge that during 2006 the Irish Government will remain at the forefront of the drive for a more effective UN, capable of delivering on its vital and wide-ranging mandate.”

Mr Ahern was chosen as one of Secretary General Annan’s five reform envoys during 2005, the year Ireland celebrated 50 years of UN membership.

The recent €10m contribution to the Peacebuilding Commission underscored the importance Ireland attaches to the new body, he said.

“Ireland was among the first to call for its establishment during our EU presidency,” he added.

“I call on the UN and its member states to devote every effort in the year ahead to the resolution of conflict in troubled areas across the world, including in Darfur, Northern Uganda, and Sri Lanka.

“The Government is determined to play its part in ensuring that the Millennium Development Goals are achieved, and will meet the commitments made at the summit by the Taoiseach on behalf of Ireland. I urge our international partners, in both donor and developing countries, to meet their commitments also.

“As our financial commitments increase, we will work with like-minded donors to ensure that reform efforts result in better co-ordination and more value for money for the UN’s development activities and a more rapid and comprehensive response to emergencies,” he added.

The minister said the state would remain closely involved in peacekeeping, including within the EU context.

“Ireland will work to strengthen the UN’s role in enhancing respect for human rights throughout the world, including through the creation this year of an effective Human Rights Council.

“I will be especially concerned to ensure that civil society is closely involved in its work, as it is now in the work of the Commission on Human Rights which the Council is intended to replace,” he added.

“I welcome also the provision in the 2006-2007 UN Budget, which was agreed by the General Assembly on Christmas Eve, for the establishment of an independent audit function, and for a UN ethics office, which will protect whistleblowers in the Organisation.

“I look forward to the recommendations that Secretary-General Annan will shortly make for further management reform, and to discussing the implementation of these with international partners.

“These reforms are necessary to ensure that the UN has the capacity to remain at the centre of international action in meeting the threats and challenges of the 21st century.”