A. Global Road Safety (48)

Over one million people are killed each year in automobile accidents. As developing nations see an increase in road building, cars, and accidents, it is estimated that traffic accidents will be the third leading cause of death in the world by 2020. Because developing countries are also more heavily populated by cyclists and pedestrians, there is little doubt that in the absence of genuine regulation, the developing world will suffer the most from an increase in traffic. How can the United Nations assist nations in reducing traffic deaths while at the same time not adversely affecting much needed economic development?

http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2004/infomaterials/world_report/en/

http://www.globalroadsafety.org/problem.html

http://www.uneca.org/eca_resources/news/2007/roadsafety_declaration.pdf

http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2007/apr/l13.asp

http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/road%20safety%20initiatives/aa-index_road-safety-initiatives.htm

B. Criminal Accountability of United Nations Officials and Experts on Mission (82)

United Nations Officials play a vital role in the implementation of the charter of the UN. UN officials include everyone from peace keeping troops to the secretary general. Actions by UN officials impact the organization and what it stands for. In 2004 UN peacekeepers were accused of sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since late 2006, criminal accountability for criminal actions by UN officials has been on the forefront of discussion within the UN as more accusations concerning UN officials in Sudan arose. Many obstacles exist in holding UN peacekeeping personnel accountable during peacekeeping operations. It is the role of the UN to make sure that its officials are neither unjustly penalized nor effectively exempted from the consequences of any criminal acts.

http://www.un.org/law/criminalaccountability/

http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/

http://www.europa-eu-un.org/articles/en/article_6931_en.htm

http://www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/pkwatch.html

http://www.iss.co.za/

C. United Nations Reform: measures and proposals (120)

Member states and critics of the United Nations are constantly developing proposals to improve or reform the work of the Organization. Former Secretary General, Kofi Annan, commenced his reform proposals in 1997 with “A Programme for Reform” - A/51/950 and later in 2002 with a document entitled “Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change.” In March 2007, the General Assembly endorsed proposals set forth by current Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on the topics of the restructuring of Peacekeeping and advancement of the UN’s disarmament agenda, among others. Also at issue are more controversial changes, including the enlargement of the Security Council. Although there is overwhelming support on all sides for reform of the UN, measures and ideas on this agenda conflict between member states and must be solved in order to ensure the long-term viability of the UN.

http://www.centerforunreform.org/node/5

http://www.un.org/reform/

http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/5439.html

http://www.reformtheun.org/index.php/eupdate/3301

http://www.unausa.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI8MPJpF&b=1616559

http://www.globalpolicy.org/reform/topics/manage/2007/0315gasupport.htm

D. Equitable Representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters (125)

Among the seriously-considered plans to reform the Security Council, there is a plan to increase the membership from fifteen members to twenty-five. It would add six permanent members and four non-permanent members to the Council. Integral to any re-shaping of the Council will be satisfying demands for equitable geographic distribution and consideration of factors such as population and economic status. The membership to the Security Council could also consider and/or mandate financial contributions from those willing and able to support the work of the United Nations. Many members feel that the future effectiveness of the Security Council relies on the expansion of the Security Council to include more permanent and non-permanent seats, while the ability of the P-5 to veto any changes to the Council mandate remains a fundamental issue.

http://www.un.org/av/photo/ga/reform11jul05.htm

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/reform/cluster1/2001/1031italy.htm

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/reform/index.htm

http://www.unric.org/English_Section/Latest_News/Update_on_Security_Council_reform/

http://www.unsystem.org/JIU/data/reports/1996/en96_07.pdf

http://www.centerforunreform.org/node/35

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33848.pdf