Towards a more secure future through effective multilateralism
21/9/2022: As the 77th General Assembly session gets under way, the co-Chair of the UN's High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism reviews the challenge of improving international cooperation.
Source: Inter Press Service
Annual report of UN Secretary-General
15/9/2022: António Guterres records that the past year has been one of deep and interlocking crises that are growing in scale and severity, making the work of the UN more vital than ever. His Annual Report includes analysis of expenditure on the UN's eight priority areas of work in 2021.
Source: UN News
Re-invigorating the international trade system
8/9/2022: The US/China tariff war would not be allowed under a more functional international trade system. Unilateral policies such as ‘America First’ are unfair and detrimental to other countries. Members of the World Trade Organization must restore an effective dispute settlement mechanism.
Source: East Asia Forum
Human development falling behind in 90% of countries
8/9/2022: For the first time in over 30 years of publication, the UN's Human Development Index has declined globally for two years in a row. Human development has fallen back to its 2016 levels, reversing much of the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: UN News
The UN in crisis: big powers and bad influence
22/8/2022: Individual member states have always exerted a heavy influence on the United Nations and the five veto-wielding members are the most egregious offenders. The Security Council is largely dysfunctional, as President Zelensky of Ukraine has pointed out.
Source: PassBlue
Open Society Foundation concern for democratic dysfunction
13/7/2022: The President of the Open Society Foundation has painted a gloomy picture of the state of democracy, thwarting the response to many global crises. He sees promise from recent elections in Latin America which have returned progressive, democratic governments to power.
Source: Devex
Global crises impede the Sustainable Development Goals
8/7/2022: This week marks the mid-way point between the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 and their 2030 target date. Progress data shows that intersecting global crises are impacting food and nutrition, health, education, the environment, and peace, undermining accomplishments towards the SDGs.
Source: Inter Press Service
Sanctions are a boomerang
7/7/2022: The most extensive current economic sanctions are deployed against Russia, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela, Myanmar, and Cuba. Intended as a punishment, they have a track record of failure in their declared political objectives.
Source: Inter Press Service
International Criminal Court at 20: renewing the promise of justice
29/6/2022: The Registrar of the International Criminal Court takes stock of its progress over the 20 years since its founding treaty entered into force. The ICC has established itself as a permanent, impartial and independent judicial institution. with 17 ongoing investigations.
Source: Inter Press Service
Will the world deliver at the UN Summit of the Future?
21/6/2022: A mere 15 months from now, the UN is committed to convene a Summit of the Future in response to the Secretary-General’s groundbreaking report, “Our Common Agenda.” Is it possible to deliver a tangible outcome document that will improve global governance?
Source: PassBlue