The future of multilateralism.

AuthorValovaya, Tatiana
PositionSPECIAL REPORT

How international organizations are vital to building back better

World leaders came together 75 years ago and created the United Nations and its related organizations to prevent the breakdown of global cooperation and the resulting chaos and carnage from happening again.

Extraordinary achievements have been made since then: Living standards, measured by indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality and literacy, have all improved. Landmark decisions on environmental protection and human rights, comprehensive trade agreements as well as important health advancements have been achieved. The multilateral system has underpinned much of that success as it laid the basis for joint agreements and cooperation.

21st century challenges put the multilateral system to a critical test

Despite these achievements, the number of challenges has also multiplied over the past decades. At the start of this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against a modern-day version of the four horsemen. Geopolitical tensions, the climate crisis, global mistrust and the dark side of technology are the looming global threats which endanger 21st century progress. They are nurtured by entrenched poverty and inequalities within and among many countries, a result of the unequal global distribution of economic benefits.

The COVID-l9 pandemic has added to these pre-existing threats, with the world's poorest and most vulnerable affected the most. In the economic sphere, the disruption caused by the pandemic has taken the greatest toll on small and medium enterprises due to their lower resilience and insufficient financial support.

The past months have been a powerful reminder of the magnitude of risks if we allow climate, economic and social crises to deepen over time. The wake-up call for renewed and improved collective action could not be clearer.

Unfortunately, what we have been witnessing instead has been an escalation of geopolitical tensions, as well as great asymmetries and fragmentation at all levels. Growing global mistrust, nationalist sentiments and protracted trade tensions add to the fragility of our global structures and weaken the global growth outlook. Our progress on eradicating poverty, creating decent jobs and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is severely threatened.

Our UN75 dialogues show: Most people believe in cooperation and want a reinvigorated multilateralism

Despite the dark picture I am painting, there is reason to be...

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