Distinguished colleagues,
For eight decades, multilateral diplomacy has been the cornerstone of international relations. It has served as a platform for dialogue, a meeting ground where even the deepest divisions could be managed. Through formal negotiations and informal back-channel exchanges, it offered mechanisms to prevent crises from spiraling out of control. Anchored in principles, rules, and institutions, multilateralism provided the world with tools of stability, predictability, and hope.
Yet today, we are witnessing a return to unilateralism. Power politics, spheres of influence, and transactional approaches increasingly dominate the international system. The very essence of multilateralism—the belief that global challenges require shared solutions—is under pressure. This erosion is visible in the paralysis of the Security Council, the disregard for international law, and the fragmentation of global governance.
The result is that the world finds itself facing crises it cannot manage effectively. From Ukraine to Gaza, from the Sahel to the South China Sea, conflicts are multiplying and overlapping. Meanwhile, non-traditional risks—climate change, migration, pandemics, cyber threats, food insecurity—are escalating. These are challenges no state can confront alone. They demand collective action.
But we must not overlook the opportunities. History reminds us that moments of crisis often spark renewal. Multilateralism has reinvented itself before, after the devastation of world wars, during the decolonization era, and in response to new economic and technological realities. It can do so again today.
The first opportunity lies in reform. The institutions of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, must adapt to reflect today’s realities. Representation must be broadened, legitimacy strengthened, and accountability ensured. Without reform, the gap between global governance and global power will only grow wider.
The second opportunity lies in regional actors. Organizations such as the African Union, ASEAN, and the European Union have shown that regional frameworks can complement and reinforce the UN system. By building stronger bridges between global and regional levels, we can make multilateralism more responsive and more effective.
The third opportunity is inclusiveness. States are no longer the only actors shaping the international order. Civil society, the private sector, cities, and scientific communities all play crucial roles. Their involvement can strengthen legitimacy and innovation in tackling global challenges.
Finally, multilateralism must rediscover its moral compass. It was born from the ashes of war to safeguard human dignity, protect fundamental rights, and ensure that might does not prevail over right. Reconnecting with these founding ideals is essential to restore trust and relevance.
The state of multilateralism today is fragile, but it is not beyond repair. If we acknowledge the risks, embrace reform, and renew our commitment to cooperation, we can transform this moment of uncertainty into an opportunity.
Let us be clear: unilateralism may win battles, but only multilateralism can secure peace.
Power can divide, but only principles can unite. In a world of multiplying crises, cooperation is no longer a choice—it is a necessity.
Multilateralism is not a relic of the past. It is our only viable path to a more stable, just, and peaceful future.
Thank you