Crisis of multilateralism

In this regard, it is appropriate to remind the topicality of an assertion formulated by Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. He said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.”

Destiny of countries depends on many complex and unpredictable political and economic conditions, while multilateral institutions which have been created to develop their cooperation in various fields are not able to keep pace with new urgent challenges. Institutions are reforming too slowly and too timidly. Their real capacity to help their members to safely navigate through serious geopolitical intricacies they are facing now has considerably diminished, and no signals of immediate improvements are visible.

There are numerous multilateral institutions, but only a few are able to work well. Therefore, updating the visions of multilateralism for the 21st century is an imperative task. It is true that the fundamental principles and values of multilateralism, including those governing the UN system, are under permanent scrutiny. The performance and effectiveness of multilateral institutions are critically assessed, as are their decision-making procedures which cannot ignore or underestimate the fundamental principles and values.

A forthcoming test

The fundamental principles of multilateralism, in spite of  all its current limitations, have to be re-validated in order to help the community of nations in “exiting from the disorder.” A significant test is offered  in this regards by the forthcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), hosted by Mongolia on 15-16 July 2016.

Fifty-one Heads of State and Government from Europe and Asia, as well as high officials of the EU and ASEAN are invited to attend the 11th  ASEM Summit to discuss crucial issues of great interest  for the two continents and to adopt  the Ulaanbaatar Declaration which  will sum up the work accomplished in the last 20 years of ASEM, the present stage and the future goals and trends of ASEM. (It should be reminded that the ASEM dialogue process was inaugurated in 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand).

On the occasion of the 11th ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar the Asia-Europe People’s Forum will be held under the theme “Building New Solidarities: Working for Inclusive, Just, and Equal Alternatives in Asia and Europe.” This Forum will outline ways and means of realizing the vision of the peoples of Asia and Europe for development and progress.

Despite formidable challenges of a global nature, there is reasonable hope that Asia-Europe dialogue will lead to positive transformations. In both Asia and Europe, people need to reach out across continents on a more dynamic basis. They have to cultivate mutual understanding and beyond global vulnerabilities and perplexities of the present they have to work collectively to establish a more peaceful and prosperous world and further strengthen peace-oriented values. Effective multilateralism can be instrumental in promoting these noble objectives by helping states and peoples to address the new challenges confronting them with creative solutions that can positively respond to the pressing demands of a rapidly changing world order.