Gordon Brown seeks reform in international multilateral agencies

Bangalore, Jan 17 (UNI) British Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown today called for reforming international multilateral agencies such as the United Nations to cater to the emerging new economic, political and social order.

In his keynote address to the plenary on Globalisation at the 13th CII Partnership Summit here, he said global public goods such as energy, natural resources, environment and the fight against terrorism could only be secured through cooperation across borders and more effective multilateral networks. For this, there was a need for reformed and modernised international institutions.

Mr Brown said ''the post 1945 system of international institutions -- built for a world of sheltered economies and just 50 States -- is not yet broken, but for a world of 200 States and an open globalisation, there is an urgent need for reform and modernisation.'' He said ''it is time to formally recognise on a more consistent and regular basis the reality of the emerging new world order and in the same spirit we should focus on modernisation of the UN so that it has the right role for the modern world, not least an effective peacemaker and peacekeeper.'' MORE UNI