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[Multilateralism in Action] Multilateral Cooperation: Are Global Challenges Outpacing Global Unity? Pathways to Reignite Solidarity towards 2030

Daniel Naujoks - Tuesday, December 19, 2023
 Events   Multilateralism in Action News 
Multilateral Cooperation: Are Global Challenges Outpacing Global Unity? Pathways to Reignite Solidarity towards 2030

At the 75th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and at the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly, reflects on the crisis of multilateralism. Dialogue, solidarity and cooperation – core values underpinning the multilateral system – are in retreat, while dynamics of division and disaffection are on the rise. The deadlock in the UN Security Council prevents action on key resolutions to help resolve crises. Also at the General Assembly, issues such as disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, that once attracted relative consensus, are now mired in discord. In Multilateral Cooperation: Are Global Challenges Outpacing Global Unity? Pathways to Reignite Solidarity towards 2030, Francis argues that today’s challenges with regard to climate change, global development, peace, and prosperity are far too great for any single nation to manage alone. Multilateralism can and does work. But it should work better. And it must work faster to ensure that global challenges do not outpace global unity. Read more about how the UN offers powerful examples that multilateral solutions can work and Francis’ objectives to use his Presidency of the General Assembly to rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity. 

The think-piece is based on President Francis’ talk at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs on December 5, 2023. Watch the event recording here.

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Multilateralism in Action
Editor: Professor Daniel Naujoks
Director, International Organization & UN Studies Specialization 
School of International and Public Affairs 
Columbia University 
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