UN at 80: Critics Call for Change, Experts Emphasize Cooperation
The United Nations (UN) turns 80 this year, sparking discussions about its relevance and future. Corinne Momal-Vanian, executive director at the Kofi Annan Foundation, has criticised the current model of decision-making, while analysts and experts weigh in on the organisation's role in addressing global issues.
The Geneva Policy Outlook project, initiated by the Geneva Graduate Institute, aims to explore these topics. Corinne Momal-Vanian believes that the current model of men in dark suits deciding the future of humanity is outdated. She describes the UN as an 'old lady' who cannot be expected to be in tip-top shape.
Daniel Warner, an analyst, argues that cooperation is essential to tackle global issues like Covid and climate change. Fuad Zarbiyev, professor of international law at the Geneva Graduate Institute, encourages optimism and emphasises that the UN is what people make of it.
The podcast 'Inside Geneva' delves into the UN's pulse as it marks its 80th year. Available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, the podcast requires user consent to load the Sendinblue service. Prathit Singh, project coordinator at the Geneva Policy Outlook, suggests reimagining the UN and multilateralism to better represent the Global South.
As the UN celebrates its 80th birthday, discussions on its future and relevance continue. While critics like US President Donald Trump have expressed dissatisfaction, experts and analysts call for cooperation and reimagination to address global challenges and better represent the world's diverse voices.
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