Op-Ed / Multilateral Diplomacy 15 July 2024 1 minute The UN, An Organisation Close To Breaking Point? UN secretary-general António Guterres conceived the upcoming Summit of the Future as an opportunity for visionary thinking about our global future. But member states have far more pressing concerns. Share Facebook Twitter Email Linkedin Whatsapp Save Print Ambassadors and international officials at the United Nations can agree on at least two things. One is that the UN needs serious reform to deal with global challenges, from climate change to the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The other is that in today’s tense climate its members will find it difficult, perhaps impossible, to agree on even limited reforms. While diplomats are preparing for a leaders-level Summit of the Future in September intended to overhaul the multilateral system, the negotiations may end up emphasising global divisions.The summit is the brainchild of UN secretary-general António Guterres. The former Portuguese prime minister is often critical of the organisation he now manages. He believes the UN is inefficient and has not kept pace with shifts in science and the global economy; he likes the big questions about humanity’s future and feels that the UN should work on safeguarding the planet for coming generations. The full article can be read on the Le Monde Diplomatique website. Related Tags More for you Special Coverage / Global On Our Radar Global Media Quotes 12 August 2024