PM calls for world institutions shake-up
21 January 2008
Gordon Brown has called for radical reform of international institutions including the United Nations and the World Bank.
The Prime Minister said the UN Security Council should be expanded, with places for nations such as India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should have a new "early warning" role to head off crises such as Northern Rock and the World Bank should focus more on boosting clean energy and the environment.
Speaking to business leaders in the Indian capital New Delhi on the final day of his visit, the PM said:
"In this new era the only certainty is that there continues to be uncertainty and the only guarantee, that there are no guarantees. To succeed now, the post-war rules of the game and the post-war international institutions must be radically reformed to fit our world of globalisation.
"We can and must do more to make our global institutions more representative and I support India's bid for a permanent place, with others, on an expanded UN Security Council. And I support changes to the IMF, World Bank and the G8 that reflect the rise of India and Asia."
On changes to the World Bank, Mr Brown said reform of international rules and institutions must be considered to reflect the urgency of tackling global poverty and climate change.
The PM said:
"There is an urgent need for financing of environmentally sustainable development. So while we strengthen the World Bank's focus on poverty reduction, its capacity and global reach should make it also a bank for the environment."
The Prime Minister added that action on the environment required the setting up of a multi-billion pound global climate change fund to finance low-carbon investment. He said the IMF should now focus on "surveillance" of the global financial system in order to "prevent crises not just resolve them".
Mr Brown also used his speech to call for greater international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, to ensure that there is "no hiding place" for terrorists. Addressing the problem of failed and failing states, the Prime Minister proposed the UN should appoint a powerful envoy to struggling nations to coordinate peacekeeping and recovery after conflict.
Later today, Mr Brown will have talks with Indian premier Manmohan Singh before the two leaders host a joint press conference.
Image copyright Reuters
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