UN Reform for Inclusive Multilateralism

November 20, 2024

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Multilateral cooperation, through the United Nations (UN) system, has characterized the post-Second World War global order with various levels of success. While it has been imperfect, multilateral cooperation has averted direct military conflict between major powers and spurred nations to recognize and take joint actions to address international challenges, sustainable development challenges, and human rights challenges. However, the impediments to global cooperation are hindering relations between nations. This has made it increasingly difficult to address our ever-increasing number of challenges, including maintaining international peace and security, ensuring global sustainable development, addressing climate change and environmental challenges, and protecting human rights.

We are witnessing a steady erosion of trust and competition between states. This is weakening our ability as an international community to work together to address our shared challenges. The obstacles we are facing include growing unilateralism, geopolitical rivalries, inconsistent compliance with - and at times blatant violations of - international law, and the application of double standards. There has also been a proliferation of alternative forums and side processes outside of established multilateral forums where decisions are taken amongst the few, thereby disenfranchising the many and diverting attention away from the delivery of multilateral commitments.

In short, the major weakness of the system is not the UN leadership itself, but the lack of inclusiveness and failing to recognize that the realities of today are far different from those of 1945. The world governance system no longer requires the victors of war to dictate to the rest of the nations. The increasing tensions, rivalry, and competition among the permanent members of the UN Security Council have reduced their capacity to ensure world peace. In addition, the threats to global peace are no longer limited to direct military confrontations, conflicts, or wars, but we now face wider threats to humanity, including climate change, pandemics, famine, terrorism, piracy, disasters, etc.

Three Proposals

1.We must all uphold the noble notion of collective solutions, or multilateralism, to be at the heart of the engagements between member states guided by the United Nations Charter, under the reformed UN System. At the center of these reforms must be the UN Security Council and the global financial institutions, to incorporate the needs of all nations, particularly those of developing countries. We must resist the demon of unilateralism because it is not sustainable. We must rather modernize the UN to be inclusive, fit-for-purpose, agile, result-oriented, and representative of the current international geopolitical relations. There should be a collective recognition that the United Nations remains the most relevant global and international platform for tackling our challenges, particularly i) threats to peace and security, ii) addressing poverty and underdevelopment, and iii) ensuring the protection of human rights, which are the three pillars of the United Nations Charter.

 

2.We must all prioritize inclusive development for humanity. We may not realize lasting peace without shared global development. At the same time, we may not realize sustainable development without peace. We must espouse them to eliminate the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality in all societies. We must jointly embrace shared growth and development for all.

 

3.We must all adapt to new realities and challenges and share the tools and skills to mitigate them. There are various new and unprecedented threats, including, but not limited to, cybercrime, potential abuse of artificial intelligence, and organized transnational crimes. We need to collectively address the crises that are already changing the world as we know it. These include climate change, altering weather patterns, food systems, and trade relations.

 

Conclusion

South Africa is calling for renewed efforts to strengthen inclusive multilateralism with a reformed United Nations at its core. Let us all push for peace and development for all humanity. Let us join hands to shape our multilateral institutions to represent our current and future realities. 

 

 

Please note: The above contents only represent the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of Taihe Institute.

 

This article is from the October issue of TI Observer (TIO), which delves into these upheavals, examining the impact that shifting trade relationships, "de-risking" strategies, and the rise of unilateralism might have on the world's efforts for peace and development. Drawing insights from the Sub-Session on International Relations of the 8th Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF), this issue explores potential avenues for global cooperation amid an increasingly complex and polarized international landscape. If you are interested in knowing more about the August issue, please click here:

http://en.taiheinstitute.org/UpLoadFile/files/2024/10/29/16414365c3475a1a-3.pdf

 

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