We should strengthen the UN Secretary General’s powers to propose action to the Security Council for the resolution of long-standing disputes and encourage him to do so.

Second, the World Bank and IMF. There is a case, as has been argued before, for merger but, in any event, there is certainly a powerful case for reform including a radically improved relationship with developing nations and more representation for the emerging economies.

Third, there is a strong argument for establishing a multilateral system for “safe enrichment” for nuclear energy. The IAEA would oversee an international bank of uranium to ensure a reliable fuel supply for countries utilising nuclear power without the need for everyone to own their own fuel cycle.

Fourth, the G8 now regularly meets as the G8 +5. That should be the norm.

Finally, we need UN Environment Organisation to match the importance the issue now has on the international agenda.

I do not under-estimate the hazardous task of achieving these changes. But I also know the main obstacle. It is that in creating more effective multilateral institutions, individual nations have to yield up some of their own independence.

Powerful nations want more effective multilateral institutions but only when they think those institutions will do their will. What they fear is effective multilateral institutions that do their own will.

But if there is a common basis for working — agreed aims and purposes — then no matter how powerful, countries gain from being able to sub-contract problems that on their own they cannot solve. Their national self-interest becomes delivered through effective communal action.

... contd.