Global Leader Urges Revival of Multilateralism, Peaceful Resolution of Disputes
Geneva’s historic role as a diplomatic hub underscores the urgent need for international cooperation amid escalating global crises.
A leading voice on the world stage has called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, emphasizing that lasting peace requires dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for international law. Speaking at the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, held from July 29-31, 2025, the speaker stressed the critical importance of resolving long-standing international disputes – specifically citing Palestine and Jammu & Kashmir – in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The speaker asserted that coercion and unilateral actions are counterproductive, failing to deliver sustainable peace. Instead, a focus on mutual respect and adherence to the UN Charter is paramount. “The world has witnessed enough bloodshed,” the speaker stated. “It is time for new thinking, time to embrace pluralism, time to respect diversity, and time for a new beginning.”
The Perils of Eroding International Cooperation
Geneva, the speaker noted, carries a weighty historical significance. As the birthplace of both the League of Nations – and its eventual failure – the city serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning multilateralism in favor of populism, extremism, and narrow nationalism. The world, the speaker warned, is currently at a critical juncture, facing interconnected crises that threaten global peace, economic stability, and sustainable development.
Prolonged foreign occupations, where international law and humanitarian standards are routinely violated, were highlighted as a key source of instability. The speaker lamented the increasing erosion of the UN’s credibility, attributing it to rising trends of unilateralism and ultra-nationalism. Peaceful dispute resolution, they argued, must be viewed not merely as a legal obligation, but as a strategic imperative.
UN Resolution 2788: A Step Towards Peaceful Settlement
The speaker commended the recent unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2788, achieved under Pakistan’s presidency. This resolution strengthens mechanisms for peaceful dispute settlement, encompassing negotiation, enquiry, mediation, arbitration, conciliation, judicial settlement, and the utilization of the Secretary-General’s good offices, including collaboration with regional organizations.
Global South Faces Economic Distress
Addressing the global economic landscape, the speaker drew attention to the precarious financial situation of over 100 developing countries, many of which are grappling with debt distress and liquidity crises. These challenges, the speaker explained, stem from systemic shortcomings within the international trade and financial architecture. A call was made for urgent reforms to establish a more equitable and development-oriented global financial system, one that fosters economic resilience, reduces inequality, and promotes progress for the Global South.
Reforming the United Nations for a New Era
The need to reform and revitalize the UN system, particularly the Security Council, was also underscored. The speaker argued that the Security Council must become more representative, democratic, effective, transparent, and accountable to all UN member states. Such reform, they emphasized, is essential to restore the organization’s legitimacy and ensure its ability to address contemporary global challenges.
The speaker concluded by urging a shift away from blame and toward collaborative, win-win solutions rooted in shared humanity. “It is time to end the blame game and move toward creating win-win solutions based on shared humanity,” they said. “The world has witnessed enough bloodshed.” It is time for new thinking, time to embrace pluralism, time to respect diversity, and time for a new beginning.”
