Welcome to the United Nations
Multilateralism is being tested with the ongoing crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and pollution, as well as the increasing conflicts. The response to COVID-19, especially in its early phases, showed grave shortcomings in multilateralism and international solidarity.
On-going global challenges are putting at risk the already fragile economic recovery around the world. Rising global inflation, driven by recent higher energy and food prices as well as persistent supply chain disruptions and tighter labor markets in many countries, are sending alarming waves in developing countries and are creating additional challenges to policymakers. Many of the needed transformations to recover and build back better and respond to other crises require strengthened multilateral cooperation, collaboration, solidarity and dialogue among multiple stakeholders. It is critical to ensure international solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable countries and people, and with those most affected by crises.
The Secretary-General, in his report on Our Common Agenda, made proposals to improve multilateralism and make it more inclusive, networked and effective. The Committee for Development Policy has proposed the design of a new multilateralism for a resilient recovery, where action is urgently needed in four areas: the public health response to the pandemic; finance and debt relief; climate change and social protection, including labor rights and education.
Proposed guiding questions:
- What are some lessons learned about multilateralism from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How can multilateral collaboration be reimagined to be more effective in the future?
- How can we make multilateralism more inclusive and engaging to deliver a sustainable recovery for people most left behind?
- What are the urgent measures that the multilateral system could undertake to tackle the impact of debt, rising inflation pressures and other financial developments in developing countries?
Chair:
- H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of Economic and Social Council
Keynote address:
- H.E. Danilo Türk, former President of the Republic of Slovenia, and President of the Club de Madrid
Fireside Chat Discussion:
Moderator:
- Mr. Rajesh Mirchandani, Chief Communications Officer at the United Nations Foundation
Speakers:
- H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt
- H.E. Mr. Gabriel Ferrero, Ambassador at Large for Global Food Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, and Chairperson of the Committee on World Food Security
- Ms. Chido Mpemba, Special Envoy on Youth of the African Union
- Mr. Apostolos Xyrafis, Secretary General of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS)
- Dr. Shyam Bishen, Head of Health and Healthcare, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum
Interactive discussion:
Intervention of other Minsters and high-level representatives
