n 2034 a United Nations effective at global coordination and governance will need increased capabilities and broadened participation.
In the next decade, even if national borders harden, more and more people will be crossing them. Even with resource conservation and a green energy transition well underway, environmental and economic stress will continue to bring disruption to societies around the world. In a decade’s time it is likely to be even clearer that living well together in a common world is our main purpose—and not merely because of the tragic, dystopian alternatives, but also because of the beauty, joy, and better futures that are possible. This ongoing work cannot be accomplished without a strong, vibrant UN.
A United Nations system with increased capabilities will, on the one hand, be more effective at intergovernmental work. But we should also be honest that increased UN capabilities are also desirable because they will help us transcend the evident limits of a nation–state based global order.
In the last several years we have already seen the UN strengthen its role in taxation coordination, a task that can no longer be left to regional or limited–membership organizations. To support the fiscal stability, autonomy—and accountability—of the UN, we should open up conversations about areas where UN tax–and–spend powers would be sensible. There is similar room for the UN to better ensure human rights protections and prosecute violations. We cannot let limited ambition stand in the way of the UN doing what it is chartered to do.
While the UN has made great progress at building fruitful partnerships in the last decade, a partnership model will only get us so far. An effective UN in 2034 will have made considerable progress in bringing a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly into being. Even if the process is gradual, a global body directly elected by all people around the world is a necessary next step.
At the same time, we need to rethink what democracy looks like at an intergovernmental level. Good global governance is well served by decision–making based around “qualified majority” requirements, for example as done in the European Council. In this model a proposal is adopted when votes in favor both exceed a one–country–one–vote threshold and when those in favor also represent a threshold percentage of the global population.
A UN system moving in these directions in 2034 will be much more effective at executing its mandate—and much more capable of ensuring better futures for us all.
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Imagining the UN a decade out
Photo by Nino Souza from Pexels.
September 25, 2024
By 2034, a more capable United Nations will play a pivotal role in global governance, addressing environmental, economic, and human rights challenges. With stronger intergovernmental work and broader participation, the UN will shape a better future, writes Prof. Noah W. Sobe.
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n 2034 a United Nations effective at global coordination and governance will need increased capabilities and broadened participation.
In the next decade, even if national borders harden, more and more people will be crossing them. Even with resource conservation and a green energy transition well underway, environmental and economic stress will continue to bring disruption to societies around the world. In a decade’s time it is likely to be even clearer that living well together in a common world is our main purpose—and not merely because of the tragic, dystopian alternatives, but also because of the beauty, joy, and better futures that are possible. This ongoing work cannot be accomplished without a strong, vibrant UN.
A United Nations system with increased capabilities will, on the one hand, be more effective at intergovernmental work. But we should also be honest that increased UN capabilities are also desirable because they will help us transcend the evident limits of a nation–state based global order.
In the last several years we have already seen the UN strengthen its role in taxation coordination, a task that can no longer be left to regional or limited–membership organizations. To support the fiscal stability, autonomy—and accountability—of the UN, we should open up conversations about areas where UN tax–and–spend powers would be sensible. There is similar room for the UN to better ensure human rights protections and prosecute violations. We cannot let limited ambition stand in the way of the UN doing what it is chartered to do.
While the UN has made great progress at building fruitful partnerships in the last decade, a partnership model will only get us so far. An effective UN in 2034 will have made considerable progress in bringing a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly into being. Even if the process is gradual, a global body directly elected by all people around the world is a necessary next step.
At the same time, we need to rethink what democracy looks like at an intergovernmental level. Good global governance is well served by decision–making based around “qualified majority” requirements, for example as done in the European Council. In this model a proposal is adopted when votes in favor both exceed a one–country–one–vote threshold and when those in favor also represent a threshold percentage of the global population.
A UN system moving in these directions in 2034 will be much more effective at executing its mandate—and much more capable of ensuring better futures for us all.
