Institute for International Relations

Ivan Simonovic (ed.), 1999, IMO, Zagreb

V. Budget, Reform and Human Resources

For the successful functioning of the United Nations, aside from the good will of member states, three other elements are essential: financial resources, organisation and people. Through statements made in the Plenary of the General Assembly and in the Fifth Committee, Croatia actively involved itself in the debate on questions related to ensuring and optimalising these essential elements.

Croatian delegates favourably judged the most recent scale of assessments for determining the level of contributions to the regular budget. Irrespective of the financial difficulties induced by war related destruction and redevelopment, Croatia has made its contribution to the regular United Nations budget and joined other states who subscribed to the view that all states should have a similar approach to their financial obligations to the organisation. At the same time, taking account of the specific circumstances of some states, Croatia suggested an individual approach which would allow states the right to vote even if not in an immediate position to settle their obligations, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. In this regard Croatia actively supported the right to vote for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Croatia has taken the view that serious reform is a precondition for the United Nations to be capable of answering the challenges of the 21st century. Too much time is being spent, in the name of reform, on the diplomatic battle for the division of power, the number of members and who will be in the Security Council, whilst too little attention is being paid to the reform of all the other aspects of the work of the Security Council and the United Nations. Generally, for the majority of member states it is less important how many states shall sit on the Security Council and who they should be. Rather, their concerns focus on its work becoming more transparent as well as limiting the use of the veto.

A key feature of any organisation are the people that work in it. Croatian delegates sought the supremacy of a policy of professionalism and competence in the employment and promotion of persons working within the organisation. An equally important element was the proffering of opportunities to new member states, irrespective of the rationalisation of places in the Secretariat, so that the level of representation to which they are entitled could be achieved.