UN REFORM
"We will continue and reinforce our efforts to improve the functioning of the UN in the economic and social
fields and its impact on development. We will continue to work in partnership with other members to
complete processes underway, including Agenda for Development, and initiate further processes as
required."
Overall Grade: +1
Breakdown and Assessment:
1) "to reinforce our efforts to improve the functioning of the United Nations in the economic and social
fields and its impact on development":
In the past, United Nations efforts to promote economic and social development have be undermined by
on-
going conflicts in the affected areas. Without peace and political stability, efforts for economic and social
development are both costly and ineffective. German Ambassador Dr.Gerhard Henze attaches "particular
importance to the successful completion of the Informal Working Group of the General Assembly on an
Agenda for Peace". Once peace is established, funds presently allocated to humanitarian relief will be
available for economic and social development.
Grade: +1
2) "will continue to work in partnership with other members to complete processes underway, including
Agenda for Development":
In an address held on 11 October 1996, regarding United Nations Reform, Ambassador Dr.Gerhard Henze
called for the rapid finalization and implementation of the Agenda for Development. Germany welcomes
the
"New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 90ies as well as the United Nations System- wide
Special Initiative on Africa". Germany stresses the need to improve upon humanitarian assistance, peace
keeping operations, preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peace building; the latter being a priority for
Germany. A report titled "win the peace" was produced at an international workshop in Berlin on "concept
and lessons learned of peace-building".
Grade: +1
3) "initiate further processes as required":
Throughout the year, Germany has contributed sizable financial and in-kind contributions to emergency
and
humanitarian relief efforts around the world. The following are only a few examples of the generous
contributions made by Germany:
- DM 10 million to the Great Lakes Region of Africa to support international and national aid
organizations ( note: this is in addition to the DM 800 million given since 1994)
- DM 2.158 million to Afghanistan for humanitarian aid
- DM 1.1 million for the transportation cost of medical supplies to areas of Palestine and DM 35 million
in
supplies
- Medical Personnel to the UN Mission Minugua in Guatemala
- DM 90 million and 30,000t of wheat-equivalent to the World Food Programme for the 1997/1998
biennium (note: this is addition to Germany's Food Aid Convention Commitment)
Grade: +1