COALITION OF THE WORLD

2.United Nations is at X roads

• Multilateralism is under challenge even by its proponent, with the United States opting for partnerships, with the most important areas being the worst affected
• The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO without the quorum of its members has rendered the institution dysfunctional
• Despite the G7 having accepted the need for the transfer of funds at Rio in 1992, because of their role in creating the climate crisis, the promise made in 2009 to provide at least $100 billion per year in climate finance remains unfulfilled.
• China has opted for a rival set of multilateral institutions. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeks to achieve policy, infrastructure, trade, financial, and people-to-people connectivity by building a new platform for international cooperation to create new drivers of shared development and covers half the world population with one-third of the GDP and investment of $930 billion.
• China’s Global Development Initiative, 2021, and linked Global Security Initiative, 2022, is developing a conceptual frame responding to an urbanising world, i.e. digital governance and non-traditional security, which the international system has not covered.
• The clash of institutions reflecting the deepening divide between the Atlantic powers and Russia-China combined is the diffusion of wealth, technology and power
• The rest, despite threats, are now capable of not taking sides and are looking for leadership within the United Nations, for what the UNSG characterised as the coalition of the world.
• India will chair the Security Council in December and will have the Presidency of the G20 and the SCO.

3.Vasudhaiva Kutumbam

1.  In a multipolar world, the question is the kind of rules needed for human well-being and whether principles would serve the purpose better.
2. The time is ripe for a big idea that both keeps away from the current multilateral focus on global rules, amount of aid and inviolability of IPRs as well as recognises a role for competing institutions as countries can now secure the best terms themselves without bargaining.
3. Just as the Rio principles continue to guide climate change, vasudhaiva kutumbakam, or world as one family, focusing on comparable levels of well-being can be the core of a set of universal socio-economic principles for a dialogue between the states
4. Redefining common concerns in terms of the felt needs of the majority rather than the interests and concerns of the powerful will shift the focus of a much slimmed-down United Nations squarely to human wellbeing, and not as an add-on
5. India’s Presidential statement could introduce vasudhaiva kutumbakam in the UNSC in December. The SCO Summit will precede the G20 Summit and acceptance of overarching principles will support acceptance by the wider G20