The death of multilateralism amidst a world in multiple crises: fact or fiction?

Estimated reading time 3:00min

Multilateralism was a central talking point for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and many other world leaders that took the stage at the Summit of the Future in New York City from September 22 to 23, 2024. The message was clear: multilateralism is not dead, and the UN is the ideal channel to address the world’s multiple crises. Yet many people working within the field of global relations and affairs seem less confident that multilateralism can meet the challenges of the world today. Has the message fallen on deaf ears? Why is there so much pessimism about the state of global affairs and the institutions put in place to address the key challenges of our time?

Perhaps this is because by attending the Summit of the Future, or even simply by watching the news, one can find ample evidence to scoff at the statement that “multilateralism is not dead.” We are currently facing multiple crises that are yet to be meaningfully addressed: climate change, myriad economic issues, the growing digital divide, and an increasing number of inter and intra-country conflicts to name a few. Taking all of this into consideration, it is easy to feel cynical about our ability to create a sustainable and just world for ourselves and future generations. However, I left the Summit of the Future feeling encouraged and optimistic about the future of multilateralism, sustainable development, and our shared future.

The Summit of the Future resulted in the adoption of the Pact for the Future alongside the annexed Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.?Adopting the Pact for the Future is a crucial step towards reforming global governance and outlining a path to a more sustainable world. Achieving global consensus on a pact of this size is a feat of multilateralism itself. More reason for optimism is the call from the majority of world leaders to re-structure the United Nations and Security Council to better address the world’s pressing problems. Witnessing the adoption of such a profound pact inspires hope for the future. That being said, I agree with the sentiment of many world leaders, academics, and NGO’s:“the pact will be judged based on actions not words.”?

The optimism that I found at the Summit of the Future didn’t come from the words of heads of state or the Summit’s grandiose setting. Rather, I found inspiration in the concrete actions already being taken by countries, delegates, and participants, to create a more sustainable future.?

I had the privilege of attending the High-Level Roundtable on the Global Digital Compact at the Estonian House. The roundtable brought together Ministers from Sweden and Zambia, the heads of the UN Environment Programme and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) , as well as private sector representatives. It was inspiring to hear from the Zambian Science and Technology Minister and?Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, Ebba Busch , on their partnership to action the Global Digital Compact. Additionally, the event featured a dynamic conversation between policymakers and private sector representatives on what is needed for effective science, technology, and innovation policymaking.?

These events were inspiring, but perhaps the greatest hope for the future was located in the fourth-floor balcony of the General Assembly Hall at the Summit of the Future. This balcony was reserved for civil society members and was brimming with inspiring organizations, leaders, and efforts to create a brighter future in their respective areas of expertise. I was able to meet leaders from around the world working on impactful projects like small-scale hydroponics, youth empowerment, and education programs. The collaborative atmosphere was a reminder that there is a global effort for a more equitable and livable world. Partnership of every kind remains the most compelling solution to our collective global problems. Partnership between youth, civil society, nations, or any other combination is not only beneficial, but also necessary.??

I doubt that this article has vastly swayed your view of the state of global affairs. However, I do hope we agree on one point: transformative change is needed and every one of us needs to be part of the solution.?

Author Tim Crincoli is a graduate student in the Master of Development Practice program at the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development in the Faculty of Environment at the 加拿大滑铁卢大学 . Tim is also an Afflican delegate.