Beyond reflection, United Nations Day is a moment for action

From regional conflicts to humanitarian crises, climate pressures to economic challenges, the international community faces a range of complex issues that test the very principles of global cooperation and dialogue upon which the United Nations was founded to uphold. These concurrent challenges highlight not just the urgency of our shared challenges, but the continued relevance of multilateral institutions in helping to address them.

United Nations Day, which marks the establishment of the UN Charter in 1945, traditionally celebrates the organisation’s efforts to build peace, security, and cooperation among nations. However, this year, it takes on a more reflective tone, given the findings of the Multilateralism Index 2024. The Index, developed by the International Peace Institute and the Institute for Economics & Peace, provides insight into the current state of international cooperation, and its findings should serve as both a warning and a guide for the future.

A Fragmented Global Order

The Multilateralism Index paints a picture of a global system that is increasingly fractured. Participation in multilateral institutions remains high across key domains – peace and security, human rights, climate action, public health, and trade – but performance has deteriorated significantly. This paradox highlights a fundamental challenge: while nations continue to engage with multilateral systems, the actual efficacy of these institutions in addressing global crises is waning.

In peace and security, for instance, the world has seen an upsurge in violent conflicts, compounded by geopolitical tensions, particularly in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and Myanmar. The UN Security Council, the body responsible for maintaining global peace, has been paralysed by blockages and vetoes, leading to a decline in meaningful conflict resolution. This is a stark reminder that, while the UN remains a symbol of international cooperation, the mechanisms that underpin its work are in urgent need of reform.

Human Rights Under Threat

Another worrying trend highlighted by the Multilateralism Index is the decline in human rights performance. Despite increased participation in multilateral human rights systems, actual protections have weakened globally. The report points out that even countries with poor human rights records continue to engage in these systems, suggesting that participation alone is not a guarantee of progress, given the rise of authoritarianism and backsliding on democratic norms has eroded human rights protections

The Climate Crisis: A Slow Response to an Urgent Threat

 The world’s response to the climate crisis remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. While there have been some positive steps, such as increased investments in renewable energy and climate finance, these efforts fall far short of what is needed. The Multilateralism Index makes it clear that while participation in climate agreements is high, the performance on climate action is still inadequate. With climate change accelerating at a frightening pace, the UN must push for faster, more ambitious global cooperation to prevent environmental catastrophe. 

Public Health: A System in Flux

The Covid-19 pandemic put the global public health system under immense strain, and while participation in health initiatives has increased, performance remains uneven. The pandemic exposed systemic weaknesses in the world’s preparedness for health crises, and many of these issues remain unresolved. As the world grapples with ongoing challenges related to pandemic preparedness, the UN’s role in coordinating a more inclusive and robust global health system has never been more critical. 

Trade and Economic Inequality

Global trade, another cornerstone of multilateral cooperation, has also suffered. Since 2015, multilateral trade talks have stalled, and performance in this domain has been affected by trade volatility and geopolitical tensions, particularly between major powers. The Multilateralism Index highlights a major fault line in trade: geographic inclusivity. The world’s poorest nations continue to be marginalised in the global trade system, exacerbating inequality. On this United Nations Day, it is worth reflecting on how the UN can lead efforts to reform global trade in ways that promote economic justice and development for all. 

The Need for Reform: “Reform or Rupture”

The crisis of multilateralism that the Index reveals is a reminder that the UN and the global systems it supports are not infallible. In his address at the 2023 Summit of the Future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised that it is either “reform or rupture” for the multilateral system. This statement resonates even more for United Nations Day 2024. 

To address the systemic issues that have rendered parts of the multilateral system ineffective, the UN will need to spearhead reforms that go beyond cosmetic changes. This includes overhauling decision-making processes, particularly in bodies like the Security Council, where the veto power of permanent members has often been a stumbling block to meaningful action. The inclusion of more diverse voices, especially from the Global South, is another critical area where reform is needed to ensure that multilateralism truly represents the interests of all. 

Moving Forward: Hope in Inclusivity

Despite these challenges, there are reasons for hope. The Multilateralism Index points to growing inclusivity, particularly in terms of the representation of women and civil society within the UN system. These improvements demonstrate that, even in times of crisis, there is room for progress and evolution within multilateral institutions. The UN’s increasing engagement with non-state actors is a positive sign that, while the traditional state-centric model of multilateralism may be faltering, new forms of cooperation are emerging.