Open Debate on “Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order”
Tomorrow (16 July), the Security Council will convene for a ministerial-level open debate on “Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will chair the meeting, which is one of the signature events of Russia’s July Council presidency. Uncharacteristically for a Council meeting, no briefers are anticipated.
In recent years, several Council members have chosen to convene signature events during their presidencies that focus on the UN Charter and the multilateral system. These include, for example, meetings on: “Upholding the UN Charter”, which was initiated by Viet Nam and held on 9 January 2020; “Upholding multilateralism and the UN-centred international system”, convened by China on 7 May 2021; “New orientation for reformed multilateralism”, organised by India and held on 14 December 2022; and “Effective multilateralism through defence of the principles of the UN Charter”, convened by Russia on 24 April 2023.
Lavrov chaired the 24 April 2023 meeting, which featured a briefing by Secretary-General António Guterres. At that meeting, Guterres called multilateral cooperation “the beating heart of the United Nations”. He said that many of the successes of the UN system had resulted from multilateral cooperation, including, for example, preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, disarmament and non-proliferation, and a worldwide humanitarian system coordinated by the world body. The Secretary-General warned, however, that the multilateral system was under significant stress, especially given the tensions among the major powers. He argued that global challenges such as climate change, the abuse of human rights, gender inequality, terrorism, and others could be “solved only through respect for international law, adherence to global commitments and the adoption of appropriate frameworks of multilateral governance”.
Russia has circulated a concept note (S/2024/537) ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, which says that the objective of the open debate is to serve as a platform for member states to discuss “a possible new vision for a global architecture and principles of international relations” in the 21st century, in order to “avoid a global conflict and build a just, democratic and sustainable global system”. The meeting also aims to invite “out of the box” brainstorming in anticipation of the Summit of the Future, which is planned for September.
Among other things, the concept note suggests that tomorrow’s open debate could focus on such “principles” as: diversity of models for the internal development of states and international cooperation; non-interference in the internal affairs of states; and strengthening the role of morality in international relations. It also proposes several questions to help guide the discussion, including:
- How can the UN adapt to emerging polycentric realities and contribute to the establishment of a just, democratic, and sustainable international order?
- How can the UN serve to reestablish an atmosphere of trust and dialogue among its members, including those serving on the Security Council?
- What are ways to counter selective application of the norms and principles enshrined in the UN Charter?
- What are key possible elements of a new global architecture and principles of international relations in the 21st century?
Contrasting views regarding the nature of the multilateral system, how it functions, and which countries adhere to the values of the UN Charter are likely to be on display during tomorrow’s open debate. In this regard, China and Russia have maintained that the “rules-based international order” to which Western countries refer is a façade for the selfish pursuit of their strategic interests. They maintain that the US and other Western states adhere to international law only when it is convenient and beneficial for them to do so. US support for the military operation in Gaza that Israel launched following the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks against Israel—which has been widely criticised within the UN system for violating international law—has fuelled such criticism, which has resonated among the wider membership, particularly in the developing world.
At the same time, many member states continue to see Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict there as a violation of a core tenet of the UN Charter, the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity of states, as outlined in Article 2 (4). The joint communiqué issued following the 15-16 June “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” in Bürgenstock, Switzerland was supported by 82 states, including Council members Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Slovenia, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. It affirms that the “United Nations Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, can and will serve as a basis in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
