UNITED NATIONS – UN delegates voiced their concerns here on Thursday that reform efforts must hone United nations’ skills to effectively meet peacekeeping and development challenges.
Describing the United Nations reform process as a complex endeavour, Jorge Skinner Klee of Guatemala said changes were required at all levels of the Secretariat and in the Organization's funds, programs, agencies, regional commissions and country teams.
All such efforts should be underpinned by the aim of rejuvenating the organization and enabling it to become more cohesive and effective, he added.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday in his message to the Alliance for Peace building 2017 Annual Conference that prevention must involve all stakeholders: peacekeeping, development, justice, human rights and humanitarian activities, to quickly address grievances long before they escalate into a crisis.
Petr V. Iliichev of Russia said the most important goal should be to increase the organization's effectiveness and avoid weakening the specific functions of its various arms. Indeed, divisions involved in peacekeeping, development and humanitarian efforts must respect each other's work and avoid duplication. 
While the emphasis on conflict prevention was critical, it should only be carried out in strict compliance with the principle of State sovereignty and under the authority of the Security Council, he said. (Xinhua)