This year at the United Nations can be described as a one of cautious progress in several significant issue areas, despite some major challenges faced by the international community.

 The world watched in shock as 2010 began with the catastrophe caused by the earthquake that hit the already desperately poor nation of Haiti. The scale of the devastation was nearly incomprehensible, with an estimated 222,570 people killed, 300,000 injured and 1.3 million displaced. Over the next several months the humanitarian crisis continued to escalate, including political tensions and violent demonstrations, and recently a devastating outbreak of cholera. The United Nations responded to the situation immediately, including the Security Council’s authorization of an increase of troops and police for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, the World Bank providing an extra $100 million in funding to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, and several UN agencies stepping-up their engagement in the country and providing experts, aid workers and critical resources. To manage the international relief efforts, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs established a coordination office.

 Another vast natural catastrophe occurred in July when, following a heavy monsoon season, massive floods devastated the country of Pakistan. The disastrous impact directly affected about 20 million people. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had initially asked for $460 million for emergency relief, noting that the flood was the worst disaster he had ever seen. Only about 20% of the relief funds requested had been received. Similarly, Haiti is still waiting for the arrival of a significant portion of the funds pledged for its recovery. In both Haiti and Pakistan, the United Nations and its partners were joined by hundreds of civil society organizations, and the humanitarian efforts continue at full force. 

 In May, after intense negotiations and, at times, heated controversy, the 189 States parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty successfully concluded the 2010 Review Conference at UN Headquarters. An outcome document was unanimously adopted, which contains steps to speed progress on nuclear disarmament and advance non-proliferation, and work towards a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. Since the last review conference in 2005 which was considered a serious disappointment, there has been diplomatic momentum around nuclear non-proliferation issues, and the outcome of the Review Conference is further testament to this positive development. Recent developments on the Korean Peninsula have brought these issues to the forefront of public attention once again, and the UN’s engagement will remain to be critical in the coming year.

 In 2010 the UN focused on developing their early warning tool kit as a part of the promotion to move the norm of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) from theory to practice. In July the Secretary-General released his report on “Early warning, assessment and the responsibility to protect” suggesting a joint office between the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide and the Special Adviser for the Responsibility to Protect as a way to strengthen the capacity of the UN system. During the UN General Assembly in September the foreign ministries of Denmark and Ghana held a high level side event in an attempt to strengthen national coordination and discuss how to better coordinate efforts to prevent mass atrocities.

 This year marks the fourth anniversary of the Human Rights Council and a slight improvement in the Council’s performance. A new Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association was established and States adopted a resolution establishing a new UN human rights mechanism to address discrimination against women. In 2011, the first review of the Human Rights Council will capture much attention.  Women’s rights will remain at the core of the UN’s agenda for 2011 with the development of UN Women and mounting efforts to ensure that MDG 4 and 5, on child and maternal health, are properly addressed.  Endeavors to advance Human Rights Education will accelerate as the Council is expected to adopt a Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. Ending discrimination, migrants and minorities’ rights and protecting human rights defenders will also be at the heart of the UN’s human rights work in the coming year.

 The much anticipated UN Millennium Development Goals Summit concluded in September, with the adoption of a global action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty goals by their 2015 target date and the announcement of major new commitments for women’s and children’s health and other initiatives against poverty, hunger and disease. These outcomes are considered slightly disappointing; not quite living up to the expectations for concrete pledges and measurable commitments. The most notable attribute of this global action plan is the fact that all 192 UN members states agreed to it. If all the governments now take their promises seriously and follow-through on the action plan, it will mean significant financial commitments, reinvigorated efforts towards the Goals, and a real difference in the quality of life of people around the world.

 This year's UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico ended on 10 December with a series of decisions referred to as the "Cancun Agreements." Governments chose to leave the more controversial issues for later while making progress on new or strengthened mechanisms for adaptation, technology, forestry, and transparency. While no decision was made on the nature of a potential legally binding future outcome, the agreements represent the first time all major economies have committed themselves to explicit mitigation action since the launch of the UNFCCC. There are also beginning steps to implement the public finance goals from the Copenhagen Accord with the creation of a new Green Climate Fund for developing countries. The outcomes of the Cancun conference indicate that the UNFCCC negotiations can still lead to real, tangible results.

 All year, UN peacekeepers have continue to serve a vital role in several areas that are currently facing significant humanitarian challenges, including in Cote d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,  Haiti, the Middle East, Sudan,  Timor-Leste and Western Sahara. Many of these areas are facing sensitive months ahead, during which the nearly 122,000 UN personnel will continue to dedicate themselves to stabilization, reconstruction and building lasting peace. 

 Throughout the year, WFUNA has been closely following these developments at the United Nations, and the Secretariat has been preparing and fundraising for programs in each of the main issue areas, several of which we plan to launch in 2011. UNAs around the world have been continuing their successful activities, such as the annual commemorations of International Days and Model UN conferences, as well as running new original programs in a variety of United Nations priority areas. Finally, we have been developing a new website for the organization, which will go online early in the New Year.

 I wish you and your families a relaxing holiday season, and happiness and success in the New Year!