Report examines benefits, perils of UN partnerships with non-state actors

Non-State actors are now engaged to an unprecedented degree in most areas of United Nations work, offering opportunities for the world body to increase its effectiveness in serving its member countries, according to a new report by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The number, diversity and influence of non-state actors has grown dramatically over the past 10 years, as they have got involved in UN activities ranging from policy dialogue, standard-setting and normative work to operational activities, advocacy and information work.

"Cooperation should be viewed as a means of achieving United Nations goals and enhancing performance, not as an end in itself," the report says, pointing out that the overriding purpose of such partnerships between the UN and non-state actors should be to enable the world body to serve Member States and their peoples more effectively, while remaining true to the principles of the Charter.

The report also cautions that growing cooperation with non-state actors "does not, and should not," replace the central role and responsibility of Governments in policy-making and in ensuring the security and progress of their citizens. "Governments must continue to play the leadership role in setting goals and agreeing on global and national frameworks," the report says, although non-state actors can provide valuable input into that process and can also play a role in ensuring effective implementation.

As for partnerships with the business community, guidelines have been developed over the past year to safeguard the integrity and independence of the United Nations, while preserving the necessary degree of flexibility to encourage successful innovation. "As part of that process, the Global Compact is emerging as an overall value framework for cooperation with the business community," the report says, referring to a set of nine principles covering human rights, labour standards and the environment introduced by the Secretary-General in 1999 to challenge world businesses leaders to make their companies good corporate citizens.

The report further notes that potential private sector contribution to development is multifaceted and needs to be harnessed in a focused and effective manner. "The greatest contribution that domestic and foreign companies can make to support the goals of the Millennium Declaration is through private investment and through concerted and transparent efforts to ensure that the economic, social and environmental impacts of that investment are positive," the report says.