The time to support the global South is now
13/5/2022: No region of the world benefits from the rules-based multilateral order as much as the European Union. The abstentions of some developing and emerging countries in the vote on the Ukraine resolution in the UN General Assembly in early March was a warning signal that continuing a strong global engagement is essential for Europe.
Source: Inter Press Service
US-ASEAN summit can kickstart stalled approach to Myanmar
12/5/2022: The Biden administration should spotlight human rights violations in Myanmar during the US summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Five-Point Consensus facilitated by ASEAN in April 2021 has failed to curtail Myanmar's military oppression.
Source: Amnesty International
This is the moment to reset our multilateral institutions
28/4/2022: In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, The UN has warned that over 100 countries face risks relating to food, energy, and finance. Mark Malloch-Brown argues that the world’s most prosperous countries must use this moment to transform our multilateral institutions.
Source: Devex
UN General Assembly will scrutinise any Security Council veto
26/4/2022: The UN General Assembly has resolved that any future veto by one of the five permanent members of the Security Council will trigger a meeting at which all member countries can examine such action. This responds to Russia’s use of the veto on the day after it invaded Ukraine.
Source: UN News
Anachronistic UN veto powers under fresh scrutiny
22/4/2022: A proposed new resolution before the UN General Assembly will attempt to undermine the veto of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Abuse of the veto mechanism has long been the subject of institutional debate and the motion is likely to be supported by a majority of the 193 member states.
Source: Inter Press Service
Making the most of the 2023 UN Summit of the Future
20/4/2022: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to review and dramatically improve global tools for managing the world's enormous challenges — a Summit of the Future — is under serious consideration for September 2023 by the UN's 193 member states. Consultations with civil society representatives will inform preparatory work during the next 18 months.
Source: PassBlue
Africa grapples with perfect storm of crises
20/4/2022: Disruptions to grain and fuel supplies caused by the Ukraine war could turn back the clock on the progress Africa has made in recent years. Africa is dealing with six major crises simultaneously; a situation it has probably never faced.
Source: The East African
UN and its leadership challenged by Russia’s status
8/4/2022: The UN General Assembly has effectively excluded a state on three occasions: Cambodia in 1997, Yugoslavia in 1992 and South Africa in 1974. Expulsion of Russia is much more difficult because it has veto rights in the Security Council.
Source: Inter Press Service
UN General Assembly suspends Russia from Human Rights Council
7/4/2022: The resolution received a two-thirds majority of those voting in the 193-member Assembly. Under the 2006 resolution that established the Council, the General Assembly can suspend a country from membership if it commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.
Source: UN News
What can the UN do to stop the war?
5/4/2022: The current war in Ukraine, following the Russian invasion, has sparked all sorts of questions about the United Nations, particularly the role of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General. The UN Charter informs answers to five key questions.
Source: UN News