Global IssuesInternational OrganisationsAPECCommonwealthOECDUnited NationsNZ contribution to the UNNZ engagement with the UNNZ representationUN High Commissioner RefugeesUN JobsUN ReformUN StructureWorld Trade OrganisationAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Find MFAT's information paper on a country or territory. (We don't have information papers on all countries.)
Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
"While purposes should be firm and principles constant, practice and organization need to move with the times." Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan, In Larger Freedom [external link], 2005.
Through the United Nations significant progress has been achieved in peace and security, development, and human rights. However, it has been widely recognised that the multilateral system anchored by the United Nations has at times been slow or unable to fulfil the high expectations of its members. The United Nations needs reform to be more effective in addressing contemporary threats and challenges to the organisation’s three pillars: security (terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, internal and regional conflicts); development (extreme poverty, pandemics, climate change); and continuing gross human rights violations.
The 2005 World Summit was a critical step towards reforming the UN’s political structures, updating its working practices and attracting a genuine recommitment to rules-based collective action. New Zealand has strongly supported the reform process. The focus of the UN reform effort is now on implementing the outcomes of the World Summit. Although there have been some achievements with the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council , much remains to be done, particularly in the areas of management and secretariat reform.
Issues of ongoing interest to New Zealand on the UN reform agenda include:
