United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres this Thursday defended the “new life” of the multilateral system so that it is strengthened and better prepared for future global shocks.
At a briefing for UN Member States in New York, Guterres presented two policy briefs from “Our Common Agenda” for the Summit of the Future: how to meet commitments to future generations; and proposals to strengthen the international response to complex global shocks through an emergency platform.
“The goal is simple: to breathe new life into the multilateral system so that it can deliver on the promises of the United Nations Charter and the 2030 Agenda. As our world becomes more complex, more uncertain and more dangerous, we have an even greater responsibility to strengthen our multilateral system. This should be the ultimate goal of the Future Summit,” he stressed.
Returning from a visit to Ukraine, the former Prime Minister of Portugal defended his vision of the future, recognizing the rights and interests of people who have not yet been born.
“The majority of future generations will be born in low- and middle-income countries today. (…) Privilege and poverty are strongly transmitted from generation to generation. My policy brief clearly states that a safe and just future starts now,” he pointed out.
According to Guterres, the world lacks the mechanisms and practical structures to translate these commitments into action, which is why he proposed appointing an envoy who will be a global voice for future generations; the creation of an intergovernmental forum dedicated to this issue; and writing a political declaration outlining practical steps to be taken and effective commitments for the future.
With regard to strengthening the international response to global shocks, the head of the UN proposed the creation of an Emergency Platform.
“This platform will consist of a set of protocols for convening key players in the event of complex global shocks and implementing their coordinated response. It will not be some body or a permanent body,” he explained.
Given today’s global interconnectedness, shocks occurring in one country or sector can quickly spread to other places, often in unforeseen ways, Guterres stressed, noting that “these shocks occur with greater force and frequency, with serious implications for peace, economic stability and environmental sustainability”. .
However, the global response to these upheavals tends to be “fragmented and improvised,” so the world needs a mechanism that responds to them in a multidimensional way, the secretary general defended.
“The emergency platform would use the unifying power and capabilities of the UN in a timely and predictable manner. It would identify and bring together the right actors to respond and be flexible and flexible,” he said.
“Essentially, it will promote a global response based on solidarity and justice, and on the fundamental principle of leaving no one behind,” he said.
While decisions remain with Member States, this UN-sponsored Emergency Platform will also include the private sector, civil society and other non-state partners who can contribute to the global response.
This Platform will also not replace or duplicate the work of intergovernmental bodies, including the Security Council, being in its essence a multilateral tool to support existing mechanisms.
“The United Nations is the only organization that can bring all stakeholders together in complex global shocks and make them work together for the best effect. These recommendations are now in your hands. I urge you to consider them carefully,” Guterres urged. noting that it will publish nine more policy briefs by July.
MYMM // RBF
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Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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