On Tuesday, the UN high-level advisory board unveiled a report highlighting the need to chart a fresh path to better global governance to address current and looming challenges as the climate crisis and security threats increase.

The report, ‘Effective Multilateralism, A Breakthrough for People and Planet: Effective and Inclusive Global Governance for Today and the Future’, launched at the UN headquarters in New York, outlines an ambitious plan to overhaul the global architecture.

Co-chaired by former president of Liberia, Ellen Sirleaf, and former prime minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, the advisory board was appointed by the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres in 2022.

The board is tasked with advising member states on issues of key global concern where better governance could make a difference.

“Future generations will judge us by the decisions we take today,” Mr Löfven said. “Multilateralism can work, but it must work better and faster. Our people-centred recommendations aim to strengthen international cooperation and support an accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change.”

He added, “Today’s geo-political tensions must not stand in the way of addressing multiple and growing challenges to our collective security.’’

According to Mr Löfven, women’s leadership is one of the key drivers for gender equality worldwide.

He said the report calls for a renewed effort to reform the UN Security Council, strengthen the UN peacebuilding architecture, and broaden relations between the UN and regional organisations.

Ms Sirleaf also expressed confidence that the report would provide the framework that the UN, Member States, and others need to strengthen international cooperation for current and future generations.

She noted that the report stemmed from a year-long engagement with hundreds of networks, organisations, and civil society groups committed to addressing global challenges.

“The solutions they shared will help current and future generations to avoid the catastrophic implications of our current trajectory and secure a more sustainable, just and peaceful world for people and planet,” noted Ms Sirleaf.

The recommendations include strengthening the global architecture for peace, security, and finance, delivering just transitions for climate and digitalisation, and ensuring more equity and fairness in global decision-making.

The report also argues that gender equality needs to be at the heart of a reinvigorated multilateral system, along with recommendations to ensure that system becomes more networked, inclusive, and effective.

(NAN)