In a packed Security Council, foreign ministers from countries in Asia and Africa reinforced the need for global cooperation in solving some of the world’s biggest problems as the United States, like a lone ranger, pulls out of multilateral organizations, castigates Europe and knocks the UN all at once.
Practicing multilateralism and improving global governance was the theme of the Security Council ministerial-level debate chaired by China on Feb. 18. It provided ample time for dozens of countries to speak their piece on the broad but crucial topic as wars and smaller armed conflicts afflict many parts of the world, leaving innocent people crushed in their wake.
In his remarks, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a realignment of the international order and a global governance that recognizes the valuable role of the global South.
“Under the new circumstances, international affairs should no longer be monopolized by a small number of countries,” Wang said. “Countries in the global South have the right to speak up for and defend their legitimate rights and the fruits of development should no longer be taken by just a few countries.”
Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, said the threats of war, nuclear power, poverty and climate change can only be solved through multilateralism as enshrined in the UN Charter. He stressed the need for mutual respect and cooperation among member states.
“No country should presume to have the greatest stature or influence on others,” Dar said. “Respect for justice and equity is an essential precondition for peace and harmony among nations.”
The remarks of the US sharply contrasted with the position of China and Pakistan as the Trump administration promotes its America First agenda. The US interim chief of mission, Dorothy Shea, criticized the UN, saying: “UN agencies and bodies overall have drifted from their core missions. We need to take a closer look at where this institution is falling short.”
While other Council members called for strengthening cooperation among UN members and its system, Shea said the US was “currently conducting a review of our support” to the body.
“We will consider whether the actions of the organization are serving American interests, and whether it can be reformed,” she added.
Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement, which aims to mitigate the most dangerous effects of climate change globally.
“The United States will not support UN bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council,” Shea, a career Foreign Service member, said. “We will review bodies such as UNESCO, which has a history of antisemitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.” Such actions closely track Trump’s first presidency. (President Joe Biden rejoined the entities.)
China’s Wang also condemned the use of unilateral sanctions, saying they go against the authority of the 15-member Council and therefore lack a legal basis. Shea defended the increased use of sanctions by the US, saying they were consistent with international law.
In his first week in office, Trump threatened to sanction Colombia and impose tariffs on the country if it did not allow US military jets to land in Bogota as part of its migrant deportation plan.
“In addition to observing and respecting UN sanctions, the United States and many of our partners legitimately use domestic authorities, carefully regulating our domestic financial systems in a tailored way, to address threats to international peace and security,” Shea said.
As the UN marks its 80th anniversary this year, other leaders in the Council spoke against promoting unilateral ideas that threaten the founding principles of the UN Charter.
Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s foreign minister, said the UN was in danger because of “the rising tide of unilateralism and nationalism.” He called on fellow Council members to “preserve multilateralism and reform international governance.”
Similarly, Selma Mansouri, Algeria’s secretary of state for African affairs, said the clear division in the Council between the US and China and Russia has heightened the lack of trust in the institution. She called for reforming the Council, including providing “proper representation” of Africa. (Africa has three elected seats but is part of a concerted push by many countries for the continent to have a permanent seat or two.)
“We believe that the reform of the multilateral order is of paramount importance,” Mansouri said. “This reform needs to be inclusive, just and balanced.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also said the Council must be reformed to reflect current realities. “We have the hardware for international cooperation — but the software needs an update,” he said.
He also reminded members about the Pact for the Future they signed onto last fall.
“The Pact for the Future you adopted in September is aimed at strengthening global governance for the 21st century and rebuilding trust — trust in multilateralism, trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council.
At its heart, the Pact for the Future is a pact for peace — peace in all its dimensions.”
This article was updated to reflect Dorothy Shea’s current title.
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Damilola Banjo is an award-winning staff reporter for PassBlue who has covered a wide range of topics, from Africa-centered stories to gender equality to UN peacekeeping and US-UN relations. She also oversees all video production for PassBlue. She was a Dag Hammarskjold fellow in 2023 and a Pulitzer Center postgraduate fellow in 2021. She was part of the BBC Africa team that produced the Emmy-nominated documentary, “Sex for Grades.” In addition, she worked for WFAE, an NPR affiliate in Charlotte, N.C. Banjo has a master’s of science degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and an undergraduate degree from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
Thanks Damilola for this very insightful contribution, and fully agree that we have a solid hardware for international cooperation but the software needs seriously an update and that is where the UN Security Council needs serious attention or an abolition and replacement with a stronger and well-structured UN General Assembly where equality, justice, equity and human rights and dignity will prevail.