December 2023
The article examines the state of global governance, noting that the international order's pillars are rapidly deteriorating. It proposes three viable paths forward: recommitting to the current system, pursuing deeper reforms, or finding alternative solutions.
June 2024
The 2024 Summit of the Future, held in New York, aims to reinvigorate multilateralism and restore trust among Member States. Five major initiatives are emerging, covering development financing, global shocks, cybertech governance, and international justice.
December 2025
Persistent allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by peacekeepers remain an alarming problem, despite zero tolerance policies. The article examines systemic failures, the barrier of troop-contributing country immunity, and the profound human cost of exploitation in post-conflict zones.
December 2025
The UN Summit of the Future, convened in September 2024, aimed to reinvigorate multilateralism and reform global governance amid geopolitical conflicts and environmental crises. Civil society played a critical role, mobilizing through coalitions and conferences to advocate for a global collective response.
December 2025
The UN's liquidity crisis, detailed by Secretary General António Guterres, highlights severe financial stress due to incomplete member state contributions. The organization must find a lasting solution to prevent a default while continuing to spend more than ever before.
June 2022
Joseph Preston Baratta challenges the narrative of democratic decline, presenting historical data on the growth of republics. The analysis shows that democracies have consistently outpaced autocracies since the late 20th century.
June 2022
Peter Langille proposes a United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS), a sophisticated alternative to a standing UN force. This integrated service would act as a global first-responder, addressing conflict prevention, humanitarian crises, and environmental needs.
March 2023
A survey across six countries found widespread public support for increasing or maintaining UN authority and making its structures more representative of global citizens. Respondents also showed support for making decisions on major environmental and economic matters binding, and preferred a second chamber with directly elected representatives.
March 2021
On 21 September 2020 world leaders adopted the UN75 Declaration, setting out twelve commitments to action across the global agenda. The Declaration calls on the Secretary-General to report back with recommendations, and broad consultations are planned to inform that follow up.
March 2021
This article profiles Sir Brian Urquhart, a distinguished international civil servant, scholar, and champion of peace. He is remembered for his pivotal roles in UN peacekeeping, mediating conflicts, and advising on global governance.
March 2021
The article examines the ideal of democratic legitimacy through elections, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It warns that this ideal faces significant global challenges, including financial influence, non-contested elections, and foreign interference.
June 2019
Keith Best argues that climate change, cybersecurity, and ongoing conflict demonstrate that global problems require global solutions, and that a properly devolved federalist system, built on the rule of law, justice, and accountability, offers the most credible path forward. He points to the International Criminal Court and the growing campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly, already endorsed by more than 1,500 politicians from 122 countries, as concrete progress toward legitimate global governance.
December 2018
This article discusses the need for an expert legal analysis of neglected provisions within the UN Charter. It proposes examining how member state practices affect the Charter's letter and spirit, assisting future reforms and policy formulation.
