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Forever North–South? The political challenges of reforming the UN development system

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  • M.-O. Baumann

Abstract

Member states of the United Nations (UN) agree that its development system needs substantial reform given its fragmentation and outdated structures, as well as new demands from the 2030 Agenda. Yet, a recent two-year reform process yielded no substantial reform decisions. Why did member states fail to endorse the necessary reforms despite almost unanimous recognition of the need for change? This paper describes member states’ conflicting positions on reforming the UN and analyses their failure to delegate authority to the UN development system. North and South, donors and recipients, are locked in a struggle for power and control, maximising bilateral influence at the expense of the benefits of multilateral cooperation. The paper contributes to the pool of UN studies, adding a decidedly political perspective of the reform process. It is based on diplomatic statements, negotiation drafts and interviews with UN diplomats.

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  • M.-O. Baumann, 2018. "Forever North–South? The political challenges of reforming the UN development system," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(4), pages 626-641, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ctwqxx:v:39:y:2018:i:4:p:626-641
    DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2017.1408405
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    Cited by:

    1. Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth, 2019. "South Africa’s changing role in global development structures: being in them but not always of them," IDOS Discussion Papers 4/2019, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    2. Baumann, Max-Otto, 2018. "Mission impossible? Country-level coordination in the UN development system," IDOS Discussion Papers 7/2018, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).

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