As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, we celebrate more than endurance — we reflect on relevance. The UN was never meant to be a monument to history but a living instrument of hope, born of crisis, designed to serve “we the peoples.” Eight decades later, that founding promise — to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, uphold human rights, and advance social progress — is being tested as never before.
Today’s world is witnessing a convergence of crises that transcend borders: escalating conflicts, climate emergencies, economic inequalities, and a technological revolution advancing faster than our governance systems can adapt. The geopolitical landscape is fragmenting, and the trust gap between institutions and the people they serve is widening. Yet in these turbulent times, the essence of multilateralism — cooperation grounded in shared principles and mutual respect — remains our best compass.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Egypt and the wider Arab region. For decades, the UN has stood shoulder to shoulder with Egypt — supporting its modernization, partnering in development, and collaborating in times of crisis and renewal. Egypt, in turn, has been a steadfast pillar of stability in an increasingly unstable neighborhood. From facilitating dialogue and advancing peace efforts to extending humanitarian aid to those most in need, Egypt has consistently demonstrated that responsible diplomacy and multilateral cooperation are not abstract ideals, but actionable commitments.
As a founding member of the United Nations, Egypt’s contribution to multilateralism is both historic and contemporary. It was among the first to embrace the principles of collective action enshrined in the UN Charter, and it remains one of the top contributors to peacekeeping operations worldwide. The moral authority Egypt commands on the global stage — from its leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement to its active role in the G77 — has helped amplify the voices of the Global South.
This legacy has been personified through distinguished Egyptians who have shaped the UN’s history: Dr. Mostafa Kamal Tolba, who led UNEP for 17 years and became a pioneer of environmental diplomacy; former Secretary-General Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who expanded the UN’s peacekeeping and post-conflict agenda; Dr. Ghada Waly, now heading UNODC; and Dr. Khaled El-Anani, recently elected Director-General of UNESCO. Each exemplifies the enduring partnership between Egypt and the multilateral system.
Egypt’s leadership has also been visible on the climate front. As host of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, it placed climate justice and adaptation at the heart of the global agenda, helping establish the Loss and Damage Fund — a major breakthrough for vulnerable nations. These achievements underscore that Egypt’s role in multilateralism is not only about diplomacy but also about driving real progress for people and planet.
The United Nations’ reform journey — particularly since the 2024 Summit of the Future and the adoption of the Pact for the Future — seeks to make multilateralism fit for purpose in this new era. The Pact lays out a roadmap rooted in solidarity, sustainability, and trust. Yet, as the Secretary-General often reminds us, global ambition will falter without means. We cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals under an international financial system that leaves the most vulnerable shouldering the heaviest burdens. Reforming this system to deliver equity and resilience is essential if we are to restore faith in international cooperation.
In the Arab region, the stakes are especially high. The human toll of protracted conflicts, displacement, and economic fragility continues to rise, even as new technologies and youth aspirations open doors to transformation. Stability begins with dignity — when rights are protected, societies endure; when they are denied, peace and development falter. Human rights, therefore, are not a luxury but the foundation of stability and prosperity.
The path forward demands that we make five critical choices. First, we must choose peace grounded in international law — not as rhetoric, but as the daily discipline of diplomacy. Second, we must choose human dignity and rights for all, backed by financial solidarity that ensures no nation is left behind. Third, we must choose climate justice, recognizing that those least responsible for the crisis often pay the highest price. Fourth, we must ensure technology serves humanity, not the other way around. And fifth, we must strengthen the United Nations itself — morally, financially, and institutionally — to meet 21st-century challenges with legitimacy and impact.
The path forward demands that we make five critical choices. First, we must choose peace grounded in international law — not as rhetoric, but as the daily discipline of diplomacy. Second, we must choose human dignity and rights for all, backed by financial solidarity that ensures no nation is left behind. Third, we must choose climate justice, recognizing that those least responsible for the crisis often pay the highest price. Fourth, we must ensure technology serves humanity, not the other way around. And fifth, we must strengthen the United Nations itself — morally, financially, and institutionally — to meet 21st-century challenges with legitimacy and impact.
At this pivotal juncture, the UN’s mission remains clear: to serve people, to reduce fear, and to expand hope. In a world where every dollar spent on peacebuilding is overshadowed by hundreds spent on weapons, our collective challenge is not just to defend the UN’s legacy but to renew its purpose.
Egypt’s example — of consistency, dialogue, and responsibility — offers a blueprint for the kind of multilateralism the world needs. One that is principled yet pragmatic, national yet global, historic yet forward-looking. As we look to the UN’s centenary twenty years from now, our shared goal must be a United Nations that stands trusted by people, powered by science, and inclusive of every voice.
The next chapter of multilateralism will be written not by institutions alone, but by the courage of nations and citizens who choose cooperation over division — and hope over fear.
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