The future of multilateralism.

• Date: 01 October 2020
• Author: Valovaya, Tatiana

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...