Report of the Secretary-General
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82. The office has established an information collection system and has instituted collaboration with partners within and outside the United Nations. It has increased its visibility through the creation of a website and other means, as general awareness is one of the tools available for the prevention of genocide. Finally, the Special Adviser has strengthened his outreach activities with regard to Member States, in particular the members of the Security Council, by briefing every incoming President and by holding meetings for the exchange of information. 83. The Special Adviser who focuses on the responsibility to protect has addressed the conceptual, institutional and political dimensions of rendering operational the principles contained in paragraphs 138 and 139 of the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1). The report on implementing the responsibility to protect (A/63/677)— based on extensive research and wide consultations with Member States, United Nations departments, agencies and programmes, non-governmental organization representatives and independent experts—outlines an operational strategy for preventing genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as well as their incitement, and for responding in a timely and decisive manner, in accordance with the Charter, when they occur. In late July, the General Assembly held a three-day debate on the SecretaryGeneral’s report that demonstrated both broad support for the Secretary-General’s three-pillared strategy for addressing the responsibility to protect, as well as the need for continuing consultations and deliberation on its various aspects. 84. To improve early warning and assessment capacity, as mandated by paragraph 138 of the World Summit Outcome, the Special Advisers are consolidating appropriate mechanisms for an inclusive process of collaboration within the United Nations system and with Member States.
worldwide. The use of information and communications technology and e-government contributed to enhancing transparency, accountability and public administration. 87. The Organization’s efforts to support democracy worldwide have been strengthened through the grant-making United Nations Democracy Fund. Specifically targeting local non-governmental organizations, the Fund’s projects aim to strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. To date, the Fund has received more than $90 million in contributions and supported 204 projects around the world in two funding rounds.
4. Democracy and good governance
A. Climate change 90. In 2009—the year of climate change—Governments will convene in Copenhagen to negotiate and, hopefully, conclude a new global climate agreement. A strong, scientifically sound agreement in Copenhagen is essential for mitigating emissions, bolstering the adaptation potential of vulnerable countries and catalysing the lower-carbon green growth that will power a more sustainable global economy. 91. The Secretary-General has called climate change the defining challenge of our generation. It affects every sphere of activity, from energy and the economy to health, food, development and security. No issue better demonstrates the need for global solidarity. No issue is more fundamental to revitalizing the global economy and ensuring sustainable prosperity.
85. Democratic principles are woven throughout the normative fabric of the Organization and have been continually strengthened by the progressive adoption of international norms, standards and resolutions, as well as by ever greater operational activity in the area of democracy promotion. 86. In the past year, the Organization provided ongoing support to almost 50 Member States in conducting genuine and periodic elections across a range of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development contexts. Examples included multiparty elections in Nepal, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Bangladesh, Honduras, Maldives and Guinea-Bissau. The Organization continued its extensive efforts to assist in the development of democratic institutions and good governance
Chapter III Securing global goods 88. The world has changed. Ties of commerce, communication and migration are binding us ever closer. At the same time we see the emergence of a set of global threats that are challenging all of our fates. Just as the issues have become more interdependent, so have we. 89. The United Nations is ideally situated for providing the global leadership needed to address these twenty-first-century challenges. As the only universal organization with a comprehensive mandate, it can catalyse action by its entire membership and can build innovative stakeholder partnerships needed for addressing the range and scope of the challenges on the international agenda today. Moreover, the Organization’s Member States expect it to do so. It is for this reason that at the beginning of his tenure the Secretary-General announced that one of his key priorities would be to deliver on global goods. This past year, he has adhered to this commitment, spearheading major policy initiatives in climate change, global health, counter-terrorism, and disarmament and non-proliferation.