Report says UN not equipped to tackle today's challenges

"World leaders must grapple with new ways to approach 21st century threats posed by climate change, conflict and cross-border economic shocks": Former US Secretary of State

The United Nations and other global institutions aren't equipped to tackle today's global challenges ranging from massive violence in fragile states to runaway climate change and global economic shocks, a high-level commission said in a report released today.

The Commission on Global Security, Justice and Governance issued a series of proposals aimed at reforming the UN, strengthening cooperation at all levels of society to deal with these challenges, and putting greater focus on preventing conflicts and restoring peace to countries emerging from violence.

"World leaders must grapple with new ways to approach 21st century threats posed by climate change, conflict and cross-border economic shocks," said former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who co-chaired the commission. "A failure to adapt effectively risks prolonging and deepening these global crises."

The release of the 158-page report coincides with the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and September's gathering of world leaders to adopt new goals to reduce poverty, promote development and address the root causes of climate change.

"Our small, dense, interconnected world cannot prosper if more than a billion inhabitants fail to cross a basic threshold for a safe, dignified life, or if rising sea levels, extreme drought, powerful floods and storm surges, trafficking gangs, and networks of violent extremists threaten the security, well-being, and survival of millions," the report said.

It said climate change, economic shocks and cyber-attacks are likely to have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences, and "the marked and visible increase in mass atrocities in one country after another has reversed the trend of declining political violence that began with the end of the Cold War.