Will UN reform happen this year? Don’t hold your breath
1/2/2023: Everyone talks about reforming the UN Security Council but change remains elusive after decades of debates. This past year, the voices for expanding the Council became louder, yet few can agree on how to do it.
Source: PassBlue
Myanmar’s neglected crisis demands a different response
1/2/2023: The UN system’s response to the crisis in Myanmar has been toothless, contributing to ineffective aid. A principled way to meet the overwhelming humanitarian needs in Myanmar is to provide support directly to local community-based organisations.
Source: The New Humanitarian
Myanmar junta extends state of emergency
1/2/2023: Myanmar's state of emergency has been extended by a further six months, coinciding with the announcement of new sanctions by the US and its allies. The UN special investigator on Myanmar has warned that the military junta plans to seek legitimacy by orchestrating a "sham" election this year.
Source: DW
Asia’s response to US trashing of rules-based international trade
23/1/2023: The end of 2022 left no doubt that the Biden administration has sustained US policy to undermine the rules-based international trading system. What should the rest of the world do, especially the heavily trade dependent economies in Asia?
Source: East Asia Forum
UN Security Council reform moves at snail’s pace
23/12/2022: The UN has made significant contributions as a humanitarian relief organization but remains deadlocked as a political body. The permanent five countries continue to exercise their veto, even though they no longer reflect geopolitical reality.
Source: Inter Press Service
Africa’s free trade agreement takes baby steps
5/12/2022: A handful of African companies have finally started shipping goods under the long-delayed AfCFTA free trade agreement. Intra-African trade is only around 15% of total trade, much lower than in other world regions, such as Europe, where it's 67%.
Source: DW
Call for integration of African Union into G20
25/11/2022: French President Emmanuel Macron told world leaders gathered at the recent Bali summit that his country supports the integration of the African Union into G20 membership. South Africa is the only current member country from Africa.
Source: The East African
The 20th Party Congress is another step in Xi’s rise
16/10/2022: The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is scheduled to confirm Xi Jinping as China’s leader for a third term. By steering China back towards a system of one-man rule, echoing that of Maoist China or Russia under Vladimir Putin, Xi risks replicating all of their governance failures as well.
Source: East Asia Forum
UN General Assembly demands Russia reverse annexation
12/10/2022: The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning Russia's illegal annexation. The debate defended the principles of the UN Charter, provoked by Russia’s use of the veto in the Security Council.
Source: UN News
Calls for fairer global governance grow louder
4/10/2022: The UN General Assembly has been notable for the urgency of calls to end the unequal power dynamics of global governance. Fundamental reform of the UN, and specifically of the UN Security Council, is seen as crucial to forging a more equitable world order.
Source: The New Humanitarian