The United States' Continued Call For UN Management Reform: Ideals and Accountability

"The United Nations must stand for integrity, and live by the high standards it sets for others." --President George W. Bush

Commitment to the UN's Founding Ideals

UN Reforms Secured Through U.S. Diplomatic Engagement Since 2005 Creation of an independent Ethics Office; Additional resources for the Office of Internal Oversight Services; Expanded financial disclosure program;  Strengthened "whistleblower" protections; Use of International Public Sector Accounting Standards; Support for establishment of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee;  Support for mechanism to adjudicate staff grievances.

The United Nations was created 60 years ago to advance freedom, democracy, peace, security, human rights, and prosperity for all people. The United States is not alone in its commitment both to these ideals and to ongoing reform of UN operations. In 2005, more than 170 heads of state and governments expressed a global consensus that wide-ranging UN reform is imperative.

U.S. Priorities for UN Reform Include:

• Institutionalizing a system-wide approach to enforcing ethical conduct;
• Strengthening the UN's internal oversight body to better identify, obtain, and deploy the resources to accomplish its mandate;
• Enhancing transparency and accountability through procurement reform;
• Increasing the UN's effectiveness and efficiency through results-based management.

Ethics

UN employees around the world must abide by the highest standards of ethical conduct.

With the number of peacekeeping operations at an all-time high and growing, it is all the more essential for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to consistently and comprehensively enforce its zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers of the vulnerable citizens they are entrusted with protecting.

The establishment of an independent Ethics Office and enhanced "whistleblower" protections for UN staff who report wrongdoing were positive steps. Now, the Secretary-General should ensure the office's jurisdiction over all UN funds and programs, and guarantee full protection for whistleblowers.

The Secretary-General has led the way in publicly disclosing his finances, and all senior UN officials should follow his example. UN staff should not only benefit the people they serve by their work, but also should set a standard for ethical public service.

Effectiveness and Efficiency

Member States and United Nations officials should ensure careful stewardship of the UN's limited resources. Effective, results-based management will maximize resources available to improve the lives of the world's neediest people, who have the most to gain from reform.

The General Assembly's biennial budget process is a powerful reform tool and should be used to reward programs that achieve desired results, while terminating low priority, poorly performing, or unnecessary programs. This approach requires measurable standards for success and regular performance assessments.

The UN Secretariat must ensure that the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the creation of the new Department of Field Support strengthen UN capacity to backstop a growing number of peacekeepers.

Accountability and Transparency

Accountability and transparency are at the heart of any well-run, effective organization. The UN must enhance accountability and transparency through a stronger, more independent Office of Internal Oversight Services with adequate and flexible funding; improved reporting practices; and a fair, open, and cost-effective procurement system

Standards for Leadership

To accomplish its mission, the United Nations requires leaders, staff, and Member States whose conduct reflects the ideals of the UN Charter. Nations that violate these ideals or are under UN sanctions should not be elected to limited membership bodies, such as the UN Security Council or the Human Rights Council, or to leadership positions in any UN body.