Need for "reinvention" of the UN highlighted at Global Forum of Young Diplomats

The need for a "reinvention" of the United Nations was the focus of a keynote speech by Professor Hans Köchler, President of the International Progress Organization, held at the first Global Forum of Young Diplomats in Sochi, Russia, from October 16-20.

According to a report by DOC Research Institute that co-hosted the forum, Professor Köchler called for the UN to become "an inclusive and democratic community of states that is truly representative of the aspirations of all the peoples of the world, as solemnly stated in the Charter’s preamble."

In his speech titled "Formation of a Multipolar World and the Potential for United Nations Reform" the philosopher and international law expert pointed out that "measures of reform that require amendments of the UN Charter need the consent of the permanent members of the Security Council, which will be difficult to obtain, especially as regards decision-making procedures in the field of peace and security. Measures that do not require changes in the Charter are more realistic." 

In his opinion, "one such step to make the world organization more democratic and transparent would be the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) as subsidiary organ of the General Assembly."

The event was opened by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey V. Lavrov. It was attended by 150 young diplomats from 70 diplomatic services from around the world.