The UN at 75 - Innovation, renewal and business has a critical role to play

The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) during 2020 has come at a time of great challenge. In addition to sending health and socio-economic shock waves across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened a number of challenges the multilateral system itself was already facing.

First, critical issues on the international policy agenda are evolving and worsening rapidly.

Inequalities are deepening; the digital divide is widening, affecting access to education; access to basic services is in decline; freedom of expression is under attack; disinformation is rampant; unemployment has spiked, with vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers, hit particularly hard; violence and human rights abuses are on the rise, sometimes as a direct result of COVID-19 containment policies; hard-won development gains are facing major setbacks; and the climate crisis looms.

Second, the working methods of diplomacy and multilateralism have been forced to adapt to the pandemic.

For the first time in the UN General Assembly’s history, heads of State and government sent pre-recorded video statements, or spoke through their Missions to the UN, rather than gathering in-person. Many stakeholders are currently unable to participate in person in UN processes, including the Human Rights Council, while others have been postponed. The working methods of diplomacy that rely so heavily on in-person connection, and those of the UN’s operations—from the Secretariat right through to the delivery of programmes and aid at local levels—have been disrupted. Those able to shift their work online are faring far betting than those unable to do so.

Third, as was evident in the 75^th General Assembly debate, geopolitical tensions continue to grow, rendering the UN’s work more difficult.

Secretary-General António Guterres went so far as to warn that the current state of inter-governmental relations risks deteriorating into a cold war. International cooperation desperately needed to address COVID-19 has been lacking, compounded by gridlock between major powers, increasing trade disputes; and a continued rise in isolationism and a return to nationalism.

And fourth, perhaps the most under-discussed crisis the UN currently faces, the organisation stands on incredibly fragile financial grounds.

Liquidity levels are currently so low that the organisation risks defaulting on staff payments. And as has occurred after previous financial crises, the UN’s financial situation is expected to worsen as the full economic effects of COVID-19 come into play. Unlike previous crises, this time there is nowhere down from where the UN’s finances currently stand.

Amid the turmoil and disruptions, there were also rays of hope during the commemoration of the UN’s 75^th anniversary that provide opportunities for all actors—including business—to re-engage with, and help reinvigorate the multilateral system.

Amid the turmoil and disruptions, there were also rays of hope during the commemoration of the UN’s 75^th anniversary that provide opportunities for all actors—including business—to re-engage with, and help reinvigorate the multilateral system.

UN75 Political Declaration

One hopeful sign was the adoption of the UN75 declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. The declaration was negotiated and finalised in the throes of New York’s COVID-19 lockdown earlier in 2020. It was no small feat that the women-led process—co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Qatar and Sweden to the UN, Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani and Anna Karin Enestrom—reached consensus in July 2020, in such a tough environment.

The declaration stresses the need for reinvigorated, inclusive multilateralism to create a more equal, resilient, and sustainable world. It contains 12 commitments aimed at strengthening multilateralism and reaffirming the central role of the United Nations. Six of the commitments focus on current global trends and challenges: leave no one behind; protect the planet; promote peace; abide by international law; place women and girls at the centre; and improve digital cooperation. The remaining six are focused on strengthening the UN and improving its work: build trust; upgrade the UN; ensure sustainable financing; boost partnerships; work with youth; and be prepared for future crises.

The new declaration offers business—whose global political influence, and potential to contribute to solutions for our global challenges, is intensifying—concrete opportunities for enhanced engagement with the UN. For example, the declaration calls for innovative, joint public-private financing initiatives, and for boosting partnerships at all levels as a core part of future oriented strategies. The declaration calls on the Secretary-General to present recommendations by September 2021 on how these commitments should be implemented. Both the UN Secretariat and Member States have UN renewal and innovation on the agenda, and are currently open to receiving inputs from all stakeholders, including business.

The new declaration offers business—whose global political influence, and potential to contribute to solutions for our global challenges, is intensifying—concrete opportunities for enhanced engagement with the UN.

The UN75 global consultation

Alongside adoption of the UN75 declaration, the Secretary-General presented the results of the UN75 initiative – a global conversation launched in January 2020 about current global challenges, the gap between the future we want, and where we are headed if current trends continue.

A mass public survey has so far received 1.2 million responses and more than 1,000 dialogues have been held by diverse stakeholders and public groups in 82 countries, along with independent pollings, artificial intelligence analysis of social and traditional media in 70 countries, and an academic and policy research mapping across all regions.

The results of the global consultation are striking. Across regions, age and social groups, respondents’ priorities are largely aligned. Amid the current crisis, the immediate priority for most respondents is improved access to basic services – healthcare, safe water, sanitation and education, followed by greater international solidarity and increased support to those hardest hit. This includes tackling inequalities and rebuilding a more inclusive economy.

Looking to the future, overwhelming concerns of the public were linked to the climate crisis and the destruction of our natural environment. Other priorities include ensuring greater respect for human rights, settling conflicts, tackling poverty, and reducing corruption.

Global cooperation has been highlighted as vital to dealing with today’s challenges, and the pandemic has made this even more urgent. At the same time, respondents clearly want the UN to change and to innovate – to be more inclusive of the diversity of actors in the 21^st century, as well as become more transparent, accountable, and effective.

Inclusive multilateralism is being called for now more than ever as is the need for all businesses to be accountable, ethical, inclusive and transparent, and that peace, justice and strong institutions are essential for business to thrive.

Turning cries for renewal into concrete change

In the wake of both processes, many are now discussing whether the COVID-19 crisis is disruptive enough to bring about the scale of change required to reinvigorate multilateralism and upgrade the UN system.

All actors—governments, the UN system and secretariat, the public, business, civil society, academia, think tanks and youth—are calling for renewal. Yet, no one needs to stand as a passive observer, waiting to see what the outcomes will be. Meaningful change can only occur if and when a critical mass of actors transforms their cries for reform and collaborative action into open-minded, concrete dialogue, cooperation and collaboration.

Efforts like the 2020 SDG Business Forum, which brought together corporate executives with governments and civil society to discuss how to respond to immediate threats to communities and prepare for long-term sustainability are encouraging steps, as was the UN Global Compact’s Uniting Business Live event. The latter showcased business commitments to the UN’s mission, focusing on joint actions and transformations of business models and economies to be more just and inclusive. The initiative of more than 1,000 Chief Executive Officers from large, small, and medium-sized companies in 100+ countries to sign a Statement from Business Leaders for Renewed Global Cooperation, was another indicator that inclusive multilateralism is being called for now more than ever as is the need for all businesses to be accountable, ethical, inclusive and transparent, and that peace, justice and strong institutions are essential for business to thrive.

Despite all the challenges of this moment, I am encouraged that more and more business leaders and others are speaking out about the importance of dialogue, partnership, and mutual accountability inside and outside the UN system. Business has a key role to play in putting forward concrete ideas for action and innovative, collaborative solutions to our shared global challenges with an effective UN system playing a critical part.

Business has a key role to play in putting forward concrete ideas for action and innovative, collaborative solutions to our shared global challenges with an effective UN system playing a critical part.