New UN Secretary-General to be appointed

A new United Nations Secretary-General will be chosen in the coming weeks, amid concerns about the future of the organization and the broader system of international cooperation established after World War II.

Three threats to multilateralism

The future of multilateralism faces three major challenges. The first is the return of force and disregard for international law, particularly by members of the UN Security Council. This is evident in conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, and Iran, where state territorial integrity is violated.

Global South's growing influence

The second challenge comes from the growing influence of the Global South in international relations. Traditional institutions like the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system were created in a Western-dominated world and often fail to represent the rest of the world adequately. This has led to initiatives like the BRICS aiming to create a more balanced, multipolar global order.

Inefficiency of international institutions

The third challenge is the inefficiency of international institutions in addressing complex global issues like climate change and artificial intelligence. The Westphalian system, which centers on the nation-state, is seen as outdated for managing these challenges. New forms of governance involving businesses, civil society, and scientific communities are needed.

AI regulation and public-private dialogue

Efforts to regulate artificial intelligence have gained momentum. France, as the current president, invited leaders of major AI companies to discuss risks and regulations with the UN Security Council. This marks a new approach involving private actors in international decision-making.

Private sector contributions to global goals

Private sector initiatives, such as the Fashion Pact, show how businesses can contribute to global goals like reducing carbon emissions. The fashion industry, a major polluter, has committed to using renewable energy and achieving zero emissions by 2050.

Need for a refounding conference

To address these challenges, a new UN Secretary-General could call for a major "refounding conference," similar to the 1945 San Francisco meeting that created the UN. This would aim to renew the organization and address the current threats to its effectiveness.

France's role in reforming the UN

France has taken steps to reform the UN, including initiatives to limit the use of the Security Council's veto and promoting more accurate world maps. These efforts show that progress is possible and set the stage for a broader reform conference.

Global cooperation remains vital

Despite increasing global fragmentation, cooperation across different regions and political traditions remains strong. The Summit of Partners for Multilateralism in New York demonstrated that a strong multilateral approach is still possible and necessary.

Learning from the past to address the future

History shows that global cooperation can address existential threats, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty in the 1960s. Today, similar efforts could regulate artificial intelligence and prevent a global crisis. The survival of the UN depends on such collective action.