THE UNITED Nations is still seen as a “vital force”, particularly for poorer developing countries, according to former president Mary Robinson.
She was speaking at the official publication of a book by former secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs and former Irish ambassador to the United Nations Noel Dorr.
“The rich countries may have their G8s and G20s and EU but, for many countries in Africa Asia and South America, the UN remains the sole world forum where they can have a voice and a vote whatever their size and economic status,” she said.
Whether or not the UN would be acceptable to rising powers such as India, Brazil and China was a serious current question, Mr Dorr said.
Mr Dorr asked would the institutions of the UN “be acceptable in this new world – until now we thought yes with a bit of adaption”, such as a place on the security council.
“But it’s a serious question now . . . will they be prepared to accept the structures that are largely western liberal internationalism of the 20th century?” he asked.
Would the world return to “Westphalian”-type sovereign states of the 19th century or “the development of the UN as an instrument of governance in the 21st century in a world that badly needs it?”
Mr Dorr said there sometimes had to be a choice between “clarity” and “compromise”.
“You may get agreement from some kind of fudge” which will will cause problems later on but is it better to have clarity and see talks break down, he asked.
In her only reference to the recent presidential election, Mrs Robinson said: “We’ve talked a lot in recent weeks about the presidency and I’m not going to say anything about that presidency.”
Mr Dorr’s A Small State at the Top Table: Memories of Ireland on the UN Security Council 1981-82 is published by IPA, price €25.
