UN urged to lead global fight against terror

Russia and China called on the United Nations yesterday to take the lead in the global fight against terrorism.

The demands for a stepped-up UN role exposed just how central an issue terrorism has become around the world in the years since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

They also highlighted that, while the US and some of its allies want serious reform before the UN tackles new challenges, other nations want to give it more responsibility now.

“There is a need to adjust this organisation to the new historical reality,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “Who else will take the role of co-ordinating and organising this work but the United Nations?”

Putin was echoed by China’s President Hu Jintao, who called for a new global security concept that puts the United Nations at “the core” of international efforts to fight terrorism and settle disputes and conflicts.

While those beliefs may help determine the future of the United Nations, events on the sidelines and fiery bombast from some of the world’s most colourful and controversial leaders pulled attention away from the dialogue at the core of the summit.

Among the biggest headlines, Iran’s president said his country was willing to provide nuclear technology to other Muslim states.

The foreign ministers of Israel and Qatar met, in a sign that Israel’s relations with the Arab world may be improving since its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Also, a UN treaty to fight global corruption got its 30th signature, triggering its entry into force in 90 days. The convention empowers countries to prosecute officials accused of stealing public funds.

“This dream has become a reality,” said Antonio Maria Costa, the executive director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. “As of today, countries can no longer hide behind banking secrecy.”

This summit was called for two main reasons – to review progress toward achieving eight goals meant to improve the plight of the world’s poor; and to consider a raft of proposals to overhaul the UN itself.

Most of the speeches focused on those efforts.

Leaders generally expressed their support for the draft document that was expected to be adopted on the summit’s last day today, though they said they were disappointed that some elements were left out, including Security Council reform and disarmament and non-proliferation.

A near constant refrain was that the United Nations play a larger role in world affairs.

The president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, went further than most when she suggested that the United Nations take the lead in easing the effects of high oil prices. She said it should study oil rationing and conservation, as well as consider initiatives to fuel engines with coconut oil and convert cane sugar to ethanol.

While several leaders made oblique references to the US by saying no nation should act alone and outside the United Nations, nations spoke far more sympathetically than they had shortly after the Iraq war.