UN Envoy Calls for Revival of Multilateralism Amid Global Crises
As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, Siddharth Chatterjee, has emphasized the urgent need to revive the spirit of multilateralism. Speaking at an event hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China and the Joint Council of China International Cooperation Center (ICC) in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province, Chatterjee highlighted the importance of global cooperation in addressing current and future global challenges.
Addressing Interlocking Crises Together
“The entire world is experiencing interlocking crises,” Chatterjee stated, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, energy shortages, financial instability, and the existence of over 70 ongoing conflicts worldwide. “Approximately 800 million people go to bed hungry every night, and over 120 million people have been displaced due to conflicts, climate change, instability, and poverty,” he noted.
Chatterjee underscored the significance of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future, scheduled for September at the UN Headquarters in New York. “This summit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revive multilateralism and address the key issue of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said. He called for a convergence of views among the 193 UN member states to tackle these pressing issues collectively.
China’s Role in Sustainable Development
Highlighting China’s contributions, Chatterjee commended the nation’s achievements in sustainable development. “I want to commend China on the achievement of cleaning up the air in Beijing,” he said. “Over 60 percent of vehicles are electric. In Kubuqi, Inner Mongolia, the seventh-largest desert in China has been transformed into an agricultural wonderland.”
He emphasized that China’s experiences offer valuable lessons for the developing world. “China has shown what is possible. With the knowledge it has gained, there’s an opportunity for UN members to share best practices on addressing the climate agenda,” Chatterjee remarked.
The Crucial Need for Multilateral Cooperation
Chatterjee stressed that global challenges like pandemics can set back economies and societies on a scale comparable to the Great Depression of the 1930s. “Renewing the spirit of multilateralism becomes crucial,” he asserted. “The UN needs to be repositioned and fit for purpose, matching the expectations of the 1.8 billion young people looking forward to its leadership.”
He called for a focus on future generations, questioning, “What kind of climate, environment, and society will they inherit? What jobs will they have with the advent of artificial intelligence impacting employment opportunities?”
Chatterjee concluded by highlighting the importance of science, technology, and innovation. “These are the overarching areas around which the Summit of the Future is being designed,” he said, emphasizing the need for collective action to shape a sustainable and equitable future.
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UN envoy in China: Spirit of multilateralism must be revived
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