Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: Global Multilateralism.
Context:
As the UN turns 80, global multilateralism faces challenges from nationalism, great-power rivalries, and institutional stagnation, raising questions about the UN’s continued relevance.
Key Highlights:
| Multilateralism: A formal, rules-based cooperation among three or more countries, often under the framework of global institutions. It promotes universal norms, inclusivity, and consensus-based decision-making on international issues. Example: United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Paris Climate Agreement & North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). |
Crisis of Confidence in Multilateralism:
- The 80th UN General Assembly takes place amid growing scepticism about the UN’s role and effectiveness.
- The United States’ withdrawal from key UN bodies (UNESCO, Human Rights Council) and funding cuts have weakened global institutions.
- Growing unilateral actions, such as U.S. vetoes on Gaza resolutions and Russia’s defiance in Ukraine, reflect a broader erosion of trust in collective diplomacy.
Why Multilateralism Still Matters:
- Multilateralism is based on the belief that global problems require global solutions as Kofi Annan described them, “problems without passports.”
- It promotes sovereign equality, mutual respect, and rule of law through forums like the UN General Assembly, where every nation has one vote.
- Despite its flaws, the UN has achieved major milestones, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Paris Climate Agreement (2015), Sustainable Development Goals (2015), Humanitarian relief, peacekeeping, and global health initiatives.
Structural Limitations of the UN:
- The Security Council’s veto power entrenches inequality, reflecting the geopolitics of 1945 rather than today’s realities.
- Many UN resolutions are non-binding, and enforcement mechanisms remain weak.
- The General Assembly, though symbolically powerful, is often dismissed as a stage for speeches rather than solutions.
- These factors contribute to the perception of the UN as ineffective and outdated.
The Changing Geopolitical Landscape and Reform Needs:
Multilateralism is evolving, and despite the UN’s flaws, it remains essential as a platform for nations to address global challenges collectively.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040