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2010 - The Challenges to Global Security: King ABDULLAH II
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22/12/99
King
ABDULLAH II KING OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN
As we enter the third millennium the community of states, as it emerged
in the 20th century, must learn from past mistakes and look towards a future
with different challenges and opportunities. Despite our earlier hopes that some of the curses which afflicted the beginning and middle of this century would have long disappeared by now, it is appalling in 1999 that we continue to witness developments like ethnic cleansing, mass eviction and migration.
These unfortunate occurrences cause one to argue that in order to address future challenges we must close the 'ugly' chapters of the past and focus on building on its more positive characteristics. We must secure proper and just solutions to the conflicts of the 20th century particularly the injustice to which tens of millions of refugees worldwide are still being subjected. The continued delay, and therefore denial of justice, only breeds hatred and extremism, leading to prolonged conflicts.
If we are to assume responsibility for taking on the challenges of the future, priority must be given to accepting and acknowledging mistakes and creating effective measures to resolve such conflicts. Only then can we start to discuss global security in terms different to the traditional past references of armaments, deterrents and various paradigms of international security.
The future challenges to global security need not be a new arms race, nuclear proliferation among states, or terrorism fed by extremism and alienation. Instead we must focus on the real threats to global security: poverty; hunger; malnutrition; and environmental damage. Such are the real challenges of a future characterised by growing populations, limited resources and humans intent on polluting their rivers, seas and air.
The amount of resources spent on armaments during the last 50 years has far exceeded the amount required to save us by other means from facing such challenges. It is my hope that people in the next millennium will not witness such a tragic abuse of resources. Instead we must concentrate on education and the advancement of science and technology geared to make our planet a healthier and cleaner place to live. The challenge is huge, and one should not underestimate the difficulty in making such a philosophical transition. Yet, this challenge must be met if we are to avoid past predicaments and past mistakes and to look forward to the start of a new tomorrow.
Global security in these terms can be enhanced through the major technological advances witnessed in the 20th century. Information technology promises to guide our future in a manner not yet known to the human race. It is certain that our interdependence in a new global village will be cemented in a new mode. The challenge ahead is for countries worldwide to come together and agree on what the challenges are to global security. Once these have been established they must then reach a consensus on how these problems can best be addressed.
To co-operate in this way there must be democracy, there must be freedom, and modern civil society must be protected. Only by safeguarding these principles can countries establish a new international agenda and agree how to jointly combat hunger, misery and poverty.
I truly believe there is enough goodwill on behalf of world leaders, born out of exhaustion from wars and conflicts, to build a new framework of relations that would protect mankind. This after all, is global security.
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King ABDULLAH
II Click to enlarge picture |
2010
- The Challenges To Global Security | Foreword:
Cliff Beal | King
Abdullah II | Kofi
Annan | Ehud Barak
| Tony Blair | Jacques
Chirac | Bill
Clinton | Sadako
Ogato | James
Orbinski | Romano
Prodi | Lord
Robertson Of Port Ellen | Mary
Robinson | Javier
Solana | Cornelio
Sommaruga | James
Wolfensohn | Postscript:
Edward N. Luttwak | Postscript:
Lawrence Freedman