Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth becomes a UN truth

By Andreas von Warburg

An Inconvenient Truth, the Academy Award winning documentary film by Al Gore, is doing what scientists and policy makers have failed to do. It has drawn the attention of the international community and the United Nations to finally tackle global warning and ask for a much-needed political action.

A new consultative UN parliamentary assembly?

By Andreas von Warburg

Almost a thousand politicians, academics and business leaders from throughout Europe and around the world have endorsed an appeal for the creation of a consultative United Nations parliamentary assembly to “ensure international cooperation, secure the acceptance and to enhance the legitimacy of the United Nations and strengthen its capacity to act.”

Streamlining the UN

Source: UN News Center

Countries rich and poor will benefit if the United Nations can make its operations in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment more streamlined and efficient, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he unveiled his report on the recommendations contained in the recent High-Level Panel on system-wide coherence across the world body.

Swiss lend support to Kofi Annan’s new forum

Source: Swissinfo/NNZ

The Swiss foreign ministry has confirmed it is supporting a plan by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to set up a humanitarian foundation in Geneva. Reacting to newspaper reports on Sunday, a spokesman said the ministry was working in this direction with different partners, with Annan expected to play a leading role.

World Bank staff asks Wolfowitz to resign

Source: Associated Press / by Jeannine Aversa

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz acknowledged Thursday that he erred in helping a close female friend get transferred to a high-paying job, and said he was sorry.

His apology didn’t ease concerns among the bank’s staff association, which wants him to resign.

The growing controversy has overshadowed major development meetings this weekend and is raising fresh questions about whether Wolfowitz will stay on the job. The White House, however, expressed confidence in the embattled bank president.

Italy suggests United Nations and NATO guidelines on ransoms

Source: Reuters / by Phil Stewart

Italy, criticized over a prisoner swap with the Taliban last month, said on Thursday NATO and the United Nations should consider guidelines about appropriate ways to respond in hostage crises.

Addressing parliament, Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema defended the release of five jailed Taliban to free Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo, kidnapped in Afghanistan. The Taliban beheaded Mastrogiacomo’s Afghan driver last month and his Afghan translator last week.

Opening a window on the U.N. Security Council

Source: UNA-USA / by Barbara Crossette

The Security Council, arguably the most powerful political body on earth, is also one of the least transparent. It has no spokesperson or independent staff. It meets almost entirely behind closed doors—in its own chamber, or somewhere in the warren of back rooms in the Secretariat building, or in the lairs and dining rooms of diplomats who may or may not invite all 15 members. By the time the TV cameras are turned on to record a vote or formal debate, the outcome is usually foreordained.

The first 100 days of new UN chief

Source: Associate Press / by Edith M. Lederer

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s first 100 days as U.N. chief, by his own admission, have not been a honeymoon: He’s done lots of globe-trotting, made some missteps, and had a few successes.

Ban mishandled U.N. reaction to Saddam Hussein’s execution but has been successful in putting the international spotlight on the growing crisis in Darfur and keeping up the pressure for speedy action.

Just over three months after he took the reins of the United Nations from Kofi Annan, Ban is still trying to master the job of being a top world diplomat while running a giant international bureaucracy where 192 countries often have competing interests.