Next UN chief's job: Keep conversations alive when others stop talking, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The United Nations faces increasing challenges to its mission of preventing global catastrophes amidst multiplying conflicts and great-power rivalry.
• The next UN Secretary-General, succeeding António Guterres in December 2026, will inherit a role described as the "most impossible job" on Earth.
• The Security Council, the world’s principal instrument of collective security, is frequently paralysed by the rival interests of its permanent members.
• The office of the Secretary-General is crucial for preserving diplomacy and communication channels during periods of intense international division.
• The United Nations must address a legitimacy crisis, particularly concerning Security Council reform and inconsistent application of international principles.

Detailed Insights:

• The United Nations was founded after two world wars to prevent the recurrence of global catastrophes, a mission now under significant strain.
• Current global issues contributing to this strain include Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the devastation in Gaza, and tensions in the South China Sea.
• Successful Secretaries-General like Dag Hammarskjöld and Kofi Annan used credibility and discretion to facilitate diplomatic solutions during crises.
• The next Secretary-General needs to combine public candour with private persuasion to bridge the widening gulf among major powers like the US, China, and Russia.
• The United Nations should enhance its mediation, negotiation support, and conflict-resolution capabilities to overcome diplomatic deadlocks.
• The international system's legitimacy is questioned by many countries in the Global South due to perceived inconsistent application of its principles.
• The United Nations must adapt by engaging with non-state actors like cities, universities, and civil society organizations to advance cooperation.
• Multilateralism is presented not as idealism but as a practical necessity for addressing global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Multilateralism: Cooperation among multiple countries on common issues, often through international organizations.
• Security Council: The principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• Global South: A term referring to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often characterized by developing economies.