Prospects for UN Renovation and Reform

Abstract

This chapter traces and assesses how the four principal inter-governmental organs of the United Nations—the General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, and Trusteeship Council—have changed to meet new challenges and demands. Despite their resistance to formal structural reform, each has proven adept at renovation and adaptation to dynamic conditions. As the more open and rigorous process for selecting a new Secretary-General in 2015–2016 demonstrated, relations among the principal organs remain an area for further renovation in the years ahead. Although slow to reform its structure, the Security Council has proven to be the quickest to adapt its working methods to a changing security environment.