“The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace highlights a fundamental truth: no country can solve today’s challenges alone.”- Secretary- General of the United Nations- António Guterres.
The international order which has been in place since the Second World War is under threat.
The world is at a critical juncture. Major global wars are dominating the international scene. From Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to the wars in the Middle East, Sudan and beyond, the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter are under direct assault.
The international community is experiencing war fatigue from all these raging wars across the globe.
Consumers are paying dearly for these wars as their grocery bills and petrol prices are increasing weekly.
A global recession is looming. Disturbingly, in the midst of all these wars, a select number of connected groups are benefiting economically.
The UN Charter requires that countries with disputes that could “endanger the maintenance of international peace and security” shall first of all try to “seek solutions through peaceful methods such as “negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.”
The departure from using the UN as a vehicle for peace and diplomacy gives an added impetus to this year’s observation of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed annually on April 24.
The day is set aside to promote dialogue and collective action to resolve global conflicts, acknowledging that no single country can solve modern challenges alone.
This year’s focus is centered on themes of renewed cooperation, with key discussions centering on: “The UN Charter at a Crossroads: Renewing Commitment to Universal Values, Multilateralism and Diplomacy in an Era of Global Uncertainty”.
This theme emphasizes strengthening international partnerships, upholding international law, and fostering dialogue to resolve global conflict in an era of rapid, uncertain change.
Today’s realities runs counter to the vision that the UN has outlined for peace, diplomacy and international cooperation.
Civilians are being targeted, infrastructure such as schools and hospitals are being destroyed, and international humanitarian law is being violated with near-total impunity. Each violation left unanswered risks weakening the international order.
For these reasons it appears that Multilateralism has failed.
However, this is far from the truth. Multilateralism is not failing because it is outdated.
What is being viewed as a failure of multilateralism by some is actually grounded in the fact that the principles of multilateralism are not being upheld or enforced.
International law must be respected and applied consistently.
The United Nations remains the only universal framework with the legitimacy to represent the global interest.
It gives every state a voice. Nevertheless legitimacy without compliance is not enough.Multilateralism is based on founding principles such as consultation, inclusion and solidarity.
Its operation is determined by collectively developed rules that ensure sustainable and effective cooperation. Multilateralism is therefore both a method of cooperation and a form of organization of the international system.
Although the term multilateralism only appeared in the aftermath of World War 2, multilateralism has been a significant feature of international relations in the 20th century.
The establishment of the League of Nations in 1920 through the Treaty of Versailles represents a major turning point in its development. The creation of the League of Nations to facilitate peace and international cooperation ushered in the modern era of the principle of multilateralism.
It can be said that the League of Nations was responsible for institutionalized multilateralism.
The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security.
The Charter of the United Nations states that one of the United Nations’ purposes and principles is the commitment to settle disputes through peaceful means and the determination to succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
Preventive diplomacy is very important in supporting United Nations efforts to assist in the peaceful settlement of disputes.
On this International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, there is an urgent appeal for countries to step back from aggression and unilateralism and embrace peace and diplomacy.
The time to return to the negotiation table in good faith is now. There needs to be a collective will of commitment to the principles of human rights and the pursuit of peace and security at all cost.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste or any other social markers of difference.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo