What is multilatralism?
Multilateralism is a term one often hears in the context of international relations particularly today. It is said to be under attack. However, do we really understand what it means?
Multilateralism, traditionally, refers to a collective action coordinated between at least three actors. It implies that the actors have a shared realization that it is in their interests to work together to resolve problems that are bigger than their individual efforts could tackle. Multilateralism helps nations to confront complex global challenges through a universal approach. In short, it is a tool of statecraft and a mindset, a way to do things. The spirit of multilateralism is: “together, we are stronger”.
Multilateralism is important for creating and maintaining peace, improving the quality of our lives and promoting human rights. Multilateralism is also crucial for tackling complex global challenges like climate change and health crises. When countries tackle problems together, the best outcomes are inevitable.
The United Nations Charter
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
AND FOR THESE ENDS
to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS.
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.
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