multilateralism

Multilateralism, with a revitalized United Nations playing the pivotal role, is vital for combating a host of ills threatening West African countries, such as drugs, arms and human trafficking, organized crime and terrorism, Cape Verde said today.

Wrapping up the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate today, the 192-member body’s President today welcomed the “new era of engagement” based on respect among Member States, underscoring that the vision of nations coming together to tackle common challenges is at the heart of the United Nations.

Nations addressing the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate today spoke out against unilateralism as the world tackles its most pressing challenges, including the current global economic turmoil and climate change.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for renewed multilateralism to tackle a host of global challenges, including climate change, the economic crisis and disarmament – three issues that will take centre stage during the upcoming General Assembly session.

For Asia to play its role in promoting a “new multilateralism” to face 21st century challenges, it must adopt a three-pronged strategy to allow the region’s nations to come together as partners, and not competitors, to tackle global threats, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Washington, D.C. later this week, his spokesperson announced today.

A time of crises is also a time of challenge and “opportunities for change,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the graduating class of the United Nations International School (UNIS) today.

Addressing the class of 2009 at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a special brand of global leadership and a new multilateralism to deal with the complex challenges facing the world today.

Due to the intensity and scope of current threats, the world is in dire need of a new multilateralism focused on meeting common human needs, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, as he spoke at Princeton University.

The United Nations General Assembly opened its 58th annual session today with a minute of silence for staff killed in the terrorist attack in Baghdad, a pledge to persevere in the speedy restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people, a promise to pursue the benefits of multilateralism embodied by the world organization and a plea for reform.