2 December 2010: The President of the UN General Assembly, Joseph Deiss, delivered a speech at the Parliamentary Hearing at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 2 December 2010, on the theme “Towards Economic Recovery: Rethinking Development, Retooling Global Governance.”
According to Deiss, “global governance is not the same thing as global government” but rather “a way of organizing decision-making in a world of sovereign entities with their national parliaments.” He said global governance should be based on the principle of subsidiarity, with problems that can be resolved at the local or national level resolved at that level. Specific issues requiring global governance, he said, include climate change, biodiversity, and the economic and financial crisis, which “can no longer be solved by States acting individually.”
He spoke of a “green economy” as an essential element of sustainable development. He emphasized that “‘green economy’ does not have to mean ‘new conditionality’– as some might fear – but rather ‘opportunity’ to develop new activities and services and to create jobs.” A green economy, he said, was an economic model “more respectful of the environment,” which would be a step toward reconciling economic growth and environmental concerns. He said that, in order to reduce poverty and foster economic development, “we have to aim for sustainable development.”
He said the UN and the UNGA have a central role to play as leaders of an efficient, open and representative global governance structure, due to the UN’s legitimacy, expertise and presence in the field. He compared the UN to emerging informal groups of countries, such as the Group of 20 (G20). While such smaller groups can take action faster, he said, “their inclusiveness and legitimacy on the other hand is questionable.” Deiss called for finding “appropriate mechanisms for communication, consultation and cooperation between the UN and more informal groups of countries,” as well with NGOs and the private sector.
Finally, Deiss announced two thematic debates to be held in the GA in 2011 – one on green economy, in support of the preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, also known as Rio+20), and one on mechanisms for reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in a governance system that is inclusive and representative. He said the debate would include consideration of strengthening the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling it to fulfill its original purpose. [The Speech]