ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT 2017

The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Bishow Parajuli was invited by the Institute to give a lecture as part of a Series of Special Lectures delivered to students of the Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy and International Relations on 31 July 2017 at ZID Campus. The lecture was well attended by former and current students, as well as, other invited guests.

In an insightful introduction, Mr. Parajuli highlighted the Principles and Purposes of the United Nations (UN), highlighting how the various UN organs are making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe and the world at large. Mr. Parajuli described the UN Charter of 1945 as the foundational document of the UN and encouraged all students to familiarize themselves with the Treaty. According to Mr. Parajuli, the UN is assisting the Government of Zimbabwe to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and its national development priorities. Moreover, the UN delivers approximately USD400 million per annum under the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF).

Mr Parajuli emphasized the work that is being done by the UN – Peacekeeping Missions across the globe, stating that so far, “the UN has over 87,000 troops and military observers; over 12,000 police personnel; over 5,000 international civilian personnel; and over 11,000 local civilian staff; Approximately 2,000 UN Volunteers.” In this context, Mr Parajuli shared the positive news that the International body is fully committed to youth empowerment and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals have galvanized unprecedented efforts committing both advanced and developing countries in ending poverty, ending hunger,  ending AIDS, achieving equality, justice and peace to protect the environment by 31 December 2030.

It is against this background that Mr Parajuli then tackled the question of the UN Security Council and the obstacles and opportunities in its reform. He enunciated that reform within the UN is an ongoing process and that it is for the Member States to agree on what the reform should be and not the UN.

In conclusion, Mr Parajuli said that the bottom line that concerns us all is Peace that can only be brought by nations that ensure that the tenants of Equality – progress, prosperity, human rights- are upheld. And it is the ethos of the creation of a level-playing field that the UN Charter and the UN’s work in Zimbabwe are focused.