“Multilateralism is under fire, precisely when we need it most”. This 2018 statement by UN Secretary António General Guterres seems more pressing now than ever before. Guterres underlined this in his message to the Global Solutiosn Summit earlier this year, by stating that “now more than ever, multilateralism and coordinated international action are paramount“.

The Covid-19 pandemic, an escalating climate crisis and protracted conflicts around the world underscore the exceptional urgency for more global coordination, multilateral solutions and the recoupling of economic, ecological and social wellbeing. Yet, today’s global order is marked by an increased reliance on unilateralism and zero-sum calculations. Major international climate and security agreements are in jeopardy and put our planet and the future of younger generations at risk. 

How can we transform the future of multilateralism? What role can and should the United Nations play? And how do younger generations envision this path? On October 23rd – on the eve of the United Nations 75th birthday – the future of multilateralism and the United Nations are at the heart of this public online event with experts from a range of fields and different countries. The event and accompanying workshop sessions were prepared and facilitated by the Young Global Changers, a group of young policy thinkers and innovators from around the world.

The event was a joint project by the Global Solutions Initiative and 1014; the activities complement the ongoing UN global dialogue initiative, UN75.

Video available