Buying Votes for UN Security Council Seats Costs Countries their Principles and Millions of Dollars

"Canada is on track to spend millions over the next three years in its bid to win a rotating two-year seat on the United Nations' Security Council - even as some inside and outside the UN say the election process needs an overhaul.

According to the government's own estimates, Canada has already spent almost $500,000 on its campaign, which pits Ottawa against Ireland and Norway for the two available spots, opening in 2021...

'Whatever the number is that they're admitting to, you can be certain it is [many] times more,' says William Pace, the executive director of the World Federalist Movement, which advocates for more transparent elections at the UN...

Pace estimates almost one-third of the 193 UN member states are 'undemocratic', which forces some Security Council hopefuls 'to buy votes from countries that they ought to be insisting stop causing wars and denying human rights and committing religious and racial discrimination.'

He does not suggest that Canada is following that path...

Pace says giving aid money to developing countries in return for votes is a common aspect of 'horse-trading' for a seat at the UN's top table.

Then there are the free trips for UN ambassadors, which have become de rigueur for any country hoping to be elected to the council.

New Zealand's envoy to the UN, Gerard van Bohemen, says the trips are a costly and unfortunate aspect of the election process, but 'everybody does it now, including developing countries.'

Van Bohemen hosted about 60 ambassadors over four, week-long trips to New Zealand during his country's campaign for a Security Council seat starting in 2015...

On the day of the vote, delegates will find small gifts piled on their desks in the General Assembly, left by those running for a seat on the council.

In addition to the gifts and financial incentives, Pace says 'vote-swapping' among member states for posts on various bodies and organizations is common. 'You vote for us on this and then we'll vote for you on that.'...

Media reports suggest Turkey spent $85 million on its campaign when it won a seat on the council in 2008. Australia reportedly spent just under $25 million when it won a rotating seat in 2012..."