PM calls for reform of UN and World Bank (Roundup)

By Rich Bowden,M&C Staff Writer Jan 21, 2008, 11:59 GMT

Britain\'s Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) is greeted by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh upon his arrival at the Presidential palace in New Delhi, India on 21 January 2008. Brown is in India on a three-day visit to strengthen relationship between the two countries and scheduled to have meeting with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and other top politicians. EPA/STR

(M&C) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for reform of the UN and World Bank to better reflect the growing influence of Asia. Mr Brown made the comments on the last day of his official visit to India reports the Press Association.

Speaking to business leaders in New Delhi, he said the time had come to expand the UN to allow nations such as India an expanded role and the World Bank should look to focusing on issues such as encouraging clean energy and environmental concerns.

"In this new era the only certainty is that there continues to be uncertainty and the only guarantee, that there are no guarantees."

He added: "To succeed now, the post-war rules of the game and the post-war international institutions must be radically reformed to fit our world of globalisation."

"We can and must do more to make our global institutions more representative and I support India's bid for a permanent place, with others, on an expanded UN Security Council."

"And I support changes to the IMF, World Bank and the G8 that reflect the rise of India and Asia," he said.

Mr Brown also called for further cooperation between states against international terrorist networks saying, "To ensure that there is no hiding place for terrorists I propose all countries strengthen networks of global law enforcement authorities, intelligence agents, police and financial regulators."