The United Nations is in need of reform. There has always been widespread agreement that this is the case - indeed throughout the 60-year history of the Organization. Differences over the best cure reflect the political confrontation between its 191 member states. The institution has been criticized to lack legitimacy, to need accountability and to be inefficient with a bloated bureaucracy. Recently, allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the Oil-for-Food Program have led to a crisis of confidence. The public debate followed reform initiatives for enlarging the Security Council,...

The context in which the United Nations operates is one of change and reorientation: change in the political climate, resulting in changes in the tasks the organisation is called upon to undertake; reorientation of the organisation's internal structures and procedures in response to these changes. The principal goals and objectives of the United Nations have recently been reassessed. This reassessment - highlighted in the Reform Agenda of Secretary-General Kofi Annan and during the Millennium Summit - has led to a reaffirmation by the 189 Member States of their belief in the organisation. New...