An historic commemoration in favour of multilateralism

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.