"Lots of Fat, Little Impact": Meinl-Reisinger Criticizes UN Structures

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger sees the United Nations in crisis 80 years after its founding. Current problems of the UN are largely due to the fact that "significant states of the world trample on the values and also the legal system of the United Nations" and also "openly question them," said Meinl-Reisinger in an APA interview in New York. There is a need for reform, for example, in the Security Council. "The world was different in 1945 than it is today."

Meinl-Reisinger Sees UN in Crisis

The United Nations emerged "from the rubble of the Second World War," recalled the NEOS leader, "when Europe lay in ruins." The composition of the Security Council, the highest UN body, which includes China, France, Great Britain, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), and the USA as permanent members, is also explained by the world situation at that time. Back then, there was a very clear European and transatlantic focus, noted Meinl-Reisinger. Since then, however, much has changed globally.

If the United Nations wants to regain relevance in the 21st century, "we need to bring in equality," formulated the Foreign Minister in the conversation with the APA on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. This requires, for example, "proper representation of the global South," particularly of African states.

Need for Action in the Security Council Due to Veto Power

Furthermore, the veto power of the permanent members needs to be reformed. "The United Nations is often accused of being inactive," said the Foreign Minister. This inactivity, however, stems from certain states ruthlessly "using the veto when it goes against their own interests," criticized Meinl-Reisinger, citing Russia as an example. Thus, the Security Council is "paralyzed" regarding the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, precisely because Russia has a veto power. However, the abolition of the veto power is currently unrealistic, Meinl-Reisinger admitted, because it would again require unanimity in the Council itself.

Important changes at the United Nations could also occur "on a smaller scale," she suggested. After eight decades, the structures have likely "grown a lot of fat." "There is a lot of bureaucracy, there are duplications and inefficiencies." Yet the UN fulfills important tasks, Meinl-Reisinger emphasized, listing: "food programs, educational programs, humanitarian aid programs, peacekeeping missions" or nuclear control exercised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based in Vienna. For all these important areas, there are already "many smart reform proposals on how we could be more effective, cost-efficient, and also work more focused."

Austria Supports UN Location Vienna

Vienna or Austria is also involved here because "we have a very own interest in strengthening the UN location Vienna." Meinl-Reisinger does not believe that the Vienna UN office could be endangered due to financial constraints of the United Nations, caused among other things by extreme budget cuts by the US administration under President Donald Trump. She has also discussed this with Secretary-General António Guterres. "We are in a good position, also in terms of competitiveness. Because we, which may be surprising, are cost-effective." This is partly because, compared to other locations - such as Nairobi - the security costs in Vienna are comparatively low.

That Europe should fill the budget gaps opened by the USA is not a topic for Meinl-Reisinger. "We are decent. We pay as it should be, when the bill comes. But that we should compensate for the USA's shortfalls, I say very clearly: 'No. We do not want to and will not do that.' However, the UN member states - 'especially large countries' - have a responsibility in areas such as development cooperation. 'Because it's not just about doing good for moral reasons.' Rather, the goal must be 'to create good living conditions on site to prevent migration at the source.'

Trump's Speech: Don't Take Every Word "So Seriously"

Regarding the speech by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, who also sharply criticized the United Nations during his appearance at the opening of the UN General Debate, the Foreign Minister did not want to "take every word so seriously." The speech was apparently primarily directed at his American electorate. "It was very much about campaigning and very much about how great the Trump administration is."

However, Trump's accusation that the UN is currently not living up to its potential is correct. "Just passing and debating resolutions" is definitely not enough. "We need much more active work on peace solutions and plans." She finds it fundamentally good that Trump personally or his administration would try to end conflicts and wars. Even if the US President probably "exaggerated a bit" in his speech in this regard.

Security Council Candidacy: "The World Is Not Just Made Up of a Few Big Ones"

Regarding Austria's candidacy for a non-permanent Security Council seat in the period 2027/28, it could be advantageous that the world is not just made up of "a few big ones." "But of many small states, who like us have an interest in working together because we are stronger together, because we can solve issues together." In this regard, she also spoke in New York "with Caribbean states, with small island states, with Pacific island states, with African states, also with Arab states." A common theme was the dangers of climate change and global warming. In this regard, Austria could score points with its successes in expanding renewable energies.

Moreover, Austria is even leading in some areas, said Meinl-Reisinger, mentioning the "control of weapons of mass destruction." "Whether it's nuclear weapons or biological weapons. This has been a concern for Austria for a long time." Currently, a new threat situation is emerging, the minister added. "Not only automated weapon systems but also the combination with artificial intelligence." On this topic, the Foreign Minister also gave a speech in the Security Council on Thursday afternoon.

Strong Words to Moscow

The Foreign Minister is concerned that Russia under President Vladimir Putin has recently been provoking more and more and apparently trying to "draw NATO or the EU into an escalation spiral" by "violating EU and NATO airspace" with fighter jets or drones. "That is already a very precarious game," commented Meinl-Reisinger. Therefore, "more pressure" must now be exerted on Moscow. "We want peace. I find it very good that NATO is reacting prudently," noted the NEOS politician. At the same time, Europe must be able to defend itself and also send political signals. "This far and no further."

(The conversation was conducted by Edgar Schütz/APA in New York)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.