Key highlights
- Guterres warns of escalating conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, the Middle East, and calls for preventive measures
- Urgent call for a humanitarian ceasefire, aid access, and release of hostages in Gaza
- Urgency for a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians to avoid prolonged conflict
- G-77 and China urged to play a pivotal role in driving momentum for global governance reform
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged developing countries, specifically the Group of 77 (G-77) and China, to take the lead in reforming outdated multilateral institutions and frameworks. The third summit, held in Kampala, Uganda, became the platform for Guterres to emphasize the critical role of the largest grouping of the global South in building a sustainable, peaceful, and just world.
Commitments Still Stand
Over the weekend, the Secretary-General participated in a summit and the latest meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the Ugandan capital. During the events, he addressed numerous global challenges, emphasizing the urgency ofachieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, navigating economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, upholding human rights, and taking decisive action on climate change.
While acknowledging the strength and deepening of South-South cooperation, he emphasized that it cannot replace the crucial commitment of the global North. Sustained engagement from developed nations is essential to reduce poverty and inequality, support growth, and bolster resilience in developing countries.
Moreover, the Secretary-General highlighted the unsettling breakdown of peace amidst a global climate of impunity. Ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond are not only claiming lives but also contributing to mass displacement, disrupting global supply chains, and posing threats to entire regions.
Middle East ‘Tinderbox’: Urgent Call for Action
The Secretary-General, in addressing the conflict in Gaza, issued a warning that the Middle East stands on the precipice of turmoil, urging preventive measures to curb potential escalation across the region. Stressing the gravity of the situation, he reiterated the immediate necessity for a humanitarian ceasefire, facilitation of humanitarian aid access, and the swift and unconditional release of all hostages.
Expressing his discontent with the rejection of the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, he condemned it as wholly unacceptable, conveying this sentiment to the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. He emphasized that denying statehood to the Palestinian people would extend the conflict indefinitely, presenting a substantial threat to global peace and security. Furthermore, he underscored the heightened risk of polarization and increased empowerment of extremists on a global scale.
António Guterres contended that the current international system is obsolete, lagging behind the times and out of step, having been established when many G77 countries were still under colonization. He advocated for the reform of the UN Security Council, pointing out its paralysis due to geopolitical divisions and an outdated composition. Similarly, he called for reform of the global financial system post-World War II, which, failing to provide a safety net for developing countries in distress, must be overhauled to become more inclusive.
China Mobilizes G77 to Reform Global Governance Systems
China, within the Group of 77 (G77), is championing reforms to address perceived global governance imbalances. Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong calls for joint support among developing nations to reform the WTO and the international financial system. This aligns with concerns from leaders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America about the current system favoring the West.
Liu delivered these remarks at the third South Summit in Kampala, where China, not a formal G77 member, actively advocates for reforms. The call for change extends beyond China, with increasing pressure from countries in Africa and Asia to reorganize the global political and economic order, including scrutiny of the UN Security Council, World Bank, and IMF.
Concerns about the outdated structure, location, and mandates of the IMF and World Bank drive the push for their review, with critics emphasizing the need for adjustments to address 21st-century global trends.
China’s push for WTO reform aligns with President Xi Jinping’s recent calls for increased efforts to revamp the organization. Since joining the WTO in 2003, China has become a major global goods trader. Liu, Xi’s special representative, stresses the urgency of making international development agencies more efficient in supporting countries in the Global South.
As global governance reform gains momentum, the international community closely watches discussions within the G77 and other alliances. The quest for a more equitable system gains traction, with China leading efforts for change across multiple fronts.
Positive Initiatives
Amid prevailing challenges, Mr. Guterres highlighted a ray of hope. He pointed to the impactful SDG Summit from the previous year, emphasizing its robust political declaration, and looked forward to the upcoming Summit of the Future in September as an opportunity to build upon that success.
This summit, he emphasized, provides a chance to establish conducive conditions for countries to attain the SDGs, fostering consensus on frameworks to address emerging challenges and striving collectively for a better world. Mr. Guterres underscored that the summit would also deliberate on profound reforms of the international financial architecture.
Addressing the urgent need for collective action against the climate crisis, Mr. Guterres called upon the G77 to unite. He urged its members to hold developed countries accountable for climate justice, advocating for an equitable and just transition rooted in phasing out fossil fuels and substantial investments in renewable energy.
The fulfillment of financial commitments made by wealthier nations, including the clarification of the annually pledged $100 billion for climate action and the doubling of adaptation finance by 2025, were considered by Mr. Guterres as initial steps. While acknowledging the progress represented by the Loss and Damage Fund, he stressed the importance of urging meaningful contributions that have not yet been disclosed.
Recognizing the transformative potential of new technologies in advancing the SDGs, Mr. Guterres expressed optimism about the adoption of the proposed UN Digital Compact during the Summit of the Future. Additionally, he highlighted the preliminary recommendations made by a newly established expert body on global artificial intelligence (AI) governance, emphasizing its role in accelerating sustainable development.
Seize the Opportunity: Assembly President
The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, echoed Guterres’ sentiments, calling for nations to come together and build bridges of dialogue, hope, and cooperation. He emphasized the urgent need for reform in multilateral organizations, including the UN and international financial institutions, to better recognize and leverage the significance of the Global South.
In conclusion, the G-77 and China are urged to play a pivotal role in driving momentum for global governance reform, addressing pressing issues such as climate change, conflicts, and the need for a more inclusive international system. The hope lies in the unity and commitment of developing countries to bring about positive change in the global landscape.
