An historic commemoration in favour of multilateralism

Introductory remarks

In a world grappling with growing crises, deepening inequalities, and eroding trust in global institutions, the United Nations has launched an ambitious effort to strengthen how it serves people everywhere. The UN80 Initiative, launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, is a system-wide push to streamline operations, sharpen impact, and reaffirm the UN's relevance in a rapidly changing world.

The current decline of multilateralism is a reality that reflects a troubling shift in international relations, marked by a retreat from collective problem-solving and a growing emphasis on unilateral and transactional approaches to global challenges. Once a cornerstone of post-World War II peace and development, multilateralism is now increasingly undermined by geopolitical rivalries, a visible absence of trust among states, and the resurgence of nationalism and protectionism. Key institutions—including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization—face funding shortfalls, politicization, and challenges to their legitimacy. Meanwhile, multilateral agreements on climate change, arms control, and global health encounter wavering commitments or outright withdrawals by influential states.

Mainstream media have generally remained silent about the important ideas presented on 26 June 2025 during the Informal Meeting of the Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations in San Francisco.

It is from this sobering perspective that, in this chronique, we recall the most relevant ideas put forward during that meeting. The tone of the debate was set by Philemon Yang, President of the UNGA, who affirmed: "We are commemorating at a very painful juncture in the life of this Organization" and added: "The foundation of multilateralism upon which the United Nations sits is increasingly shaken." However, in his view, the San Francisco Conference "was a moment of celebration of international solidarity."

In turn, the UN Secretary-General invited all Member States "to rethink our way of acting, by building a stronger, renewed, inclusive, and networked multilateralism—in short, a multilateralism fit for the 21st century."

Cogent reaction

Fortunately, these ideas have been developed in the statements delivered by the representatives of a large number of UN member states. We will evoke some of them, starting with the five permanent members of the Security Council.

The U.S. representative declared: "We will look toward a UN that serves Member States, respects state sovereignty, and keeps faith that peace is possible and can indeed be maintained - not a UN that serves the interests of bureaucracy. We will look to cut inefficiencies and excessive spending, and increase fiscal transparency. We will reject initiatives that fall outside this institution's founding mission."

The UK representative said: "The UK will work with the Secretary-General and Member States to deliver meaningful reform at UN80 for a more efficient and effective UN – that delivers what the Charter promises and that allows every one of us to realise our enshrined rights and hope for a better future."

According to the representative of France: "The Charter is the foundation of an open multilateralism, based on universal values and governed by law. This international order does not resolve to reflect power relations, but rather seeks to overcome them."

The representative of China reminded the audience of his country's position: "We must jointly practice true multilateralism, rally behind the central role of the UN in international affairs, press ahead with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and work in concert to address global challenges. China was the first country to put its signature on the Charter. We will continue to take concrete actions to fulfill our solemn commitment to the Charter and work tirelessly for world peace and development and a community with a shared future for humankind."

According to the representative of Russia: "The UN is a stronghold of multilateralism and a guarantor of the principle of sovereign equality of states. Therefore, it is logical to see our global organization at the forefront of the movement toward a truly multipolar world. However, it is only possible to lead humanity through all the obstacles on this path and make the world safer for all together. To do this, it is necessary to abandon phobias, stereotypes, and various geopolitical projects, respect each other's interests, and establish constructive and creative work for the future of all humanity, abandoning the logic of 'zero-sum games'."

The delegation of the European Union, among the first group of speakers, emphasized that: "For the EU, the UN Charter is not just a document, it is a living legal and political compass for global peaceful coexistence. It is a mirror of our principles and values, which we uphold, and our history, which we remember and are committed never to repeat."

An interesting statement was delivered by the delegation of Italy, on behalf of Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lao PDR, Libya, Nepal, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sri Lanka, who in 2025 celebrate the seventieth anniversary of their collective membership in the UN. The Italian statement stressed: "We represent sixteen countries from three continents and many different regions. Sixteen countries with a very diverse cultural, historical and social background. No matter our differences, what unites us will always be more than what differentiates us, because we all aim at the same goals – sustainable peace and prosperity based on justice, equality and human rights for all."

The biggest continent represented in the UN is Asia. We will now select some relevant ideas about multilateralism from statements delivered by representatives from the Asia-Pacific region.

In India's opinion: "Reforming the United Nations, and indeed multilateralism, is vital to create a strong and fair UN that is fit for purpose - to tackle today's challenges and harness today's opportunities for our citizens. This would mean addressing structural shortcomings, setting aside narrow pursuits of self-interest, and focusing on those left behind – citizens of the Global South, the vulnerable, women and youth. Development can't be postponed forever for the majority of humanity."

Japan considers that: "The UN needs to urgently reform itself, including the Security Council. The reform initiatives must not lose sight of the overarching aim of the UN: to defend human dignity. In this regard, Japan strongly believes that a human security approach is needed more than ever as a tool to unify various functions the UN possesses."

Indonesia believes that: "The UN must keep up with the pace of time. While the purposes and principles of the Charter remain valid, the system designed in 1945 cannot remain frozen in time. The Pact for the Future has provided the roadmap. The UN80 initiative must build upon the Pact, aimed at the overall reform of the UN."

According to Bangladesh: "At this critical point in history - when tensions are growing, conflict is brewing, and multilateralism is under question - let us reaffirm our trust in the shared values that bind us. For multilateralism to succeed, we must ensure a more transparent and accountable decision-making process in the UN. Bangladesh remains committed to the spirit of the Charter and we stand ready to contribute – duly and decisively – to our collective journey ahead."

The representative of the Philippines reminded that: "In the past eight decades, the Philippines has given its best to efforts to ensure that the Charter continues to serve as a beacon of hope and pillar of multilateralism, reinforcing the UN's capacities as it evolves alongside global transformation shaped by climate change, technology, geopolitical rivalries and strategic competition, and deepening inequalities."

The Australian Ambassador recalled: "From the beginning, Australia made the case for the interdependent relationship between development, human rights, and peace and security - an argument as relevant today as it was in 1945. Australia led the drafting of Article 56 of the Charter - often termed the 'Australian Pledge' - committing all Member States to take individual and joint action to promote the core purposes of the UN. We remain committed to this effort."

In a collective statement by the Pacific Small Island Developing States, it was pointed out that: "Our actions reflect the resolve of small states to protect the multilateral system and ensure it works for all. Today, that system is under pressure. Conflict persists, inequality is deepening, and trust is eroding. The principles agreed in San Francisco still matter, but they must be renewed through action. For the Pacific, the climate crisis remains our most urgent priority. Rising seas and salt intrusion are threatening our communities, economies, and in some cases, the future viability of our homelands."

It is also appropriate to refer to the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China - in fact, 134 countries, with all ten members of ASEAN - which included a call: "On all nations to seize this opportunity to renew the multilateral spirit of this august Organization and its Charter, which we all joined with the hope of working together to create a better tomorrow for the current generation and for many more generations to come. Let us remember why we chose to come together: it was with the hope to support each other to tackle present and future problems and challenges facing humankind, and arrive at solutions within an overarching framework agreed to multilaterally, in a democratic and equitable way, and inspired by common interests and aspirations of 'we the peoples of the United Nations.' We need to work, cooperate and exist together in harmony, solidarity and peace because we know that 'united we stand, divided we fall.'"

Finally, we should mention the statement of Romania, delivered by Ambassador Cornel Feruța. This document, published in extenso by the UN Secretariat, contains topical conclusions such as the following: "The UN Charter does not belong to the past. If eighty years have taught us anything, it is that the Charter is a perennial beacon that has helped avert nuclear catastrophe, catalyzed global cooperation on health, climate, and development, and inspired countless international treaties and mechanisms for human rights and humanitarian protection. (…) Drawing on our national experience, it is in our common interest to reaffirm effective and principled action and to remind each of today's 8.1 billion people the fundamental role played by the rules-based multilateral order in advancing their hopes for peace, dignity, and opportunity."

Conclusion

It is not necessary to be highly imaginative to expect that all these ideas and aspirations will be further reaffirmed and developed during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, starting in September this year. Indeed, the decline of multilateralism is particularly regrettable at present, given the interconnected nature of today's crises—from pandemics and climate change to cyber threats and forced migration—which require cooperative, rules-based responses. Yet, instead of reinforcing multilateral frameworks, some states prioritize short-term national interests, often at the expense of long-term global stability.

The weakening of multilateralism not only hampers effective governance but also risks deepening global inequalities and diminishing the capacity to safeguard international peace and security.

Revitalizing effective multilateralism is therefore a collective task more urgent than ever, requiring renewed political will, equitable reforms of global institutions, and full respect for the shared principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.