UN Resident Coordinator Opening Remarks at the Forum on “Multilateralism and the UN Charter: Strengthening Global Cooperation for Humanity”

Your Excellency Mr Majid Qatarneh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

Your Excellency Professor Hasan Al Momani, Dean of the Prince Hussain Faculty for International Studies at the University of Jordan 

Your Excellency Dr. Rasha Fityan, Director of the Politics and Society Institute 

Distinguished panelists and moderators, 

Your Excellencies of over 40 Foreign Diplomatic Missions, Member States of the United Nations,

Esteemed guests, 

It is a privilege to welcome you to this Forum on Multilateralism — a concept that has shaped our modern world and guides our collective efforts for peace, justice, and development.

Today we mark the 79th anniversary of the United Nations, which occurred in October. Traditionally, we might commemorate this occasion with a community event or reception. However, the gravity of the regional situation demands a more thoughtful response than a party.

Because in the wake of a year of immense suffering across the region since the deplorable attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,250 people, including children and women, 

And a wave of shocking violence and bloodshed has swept across the region, 

Where in Gaza alone, an Israeli military campaign has brought relentless death and destruction to Palestinians. And some 150,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured, and 345,000 face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, and where 101 people from numerous nationalities remain held hostage by Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups …

Where the occupied West Bank has become a tinderbox of violence and tension …

Where millions across the region have been displaced, dozens of neighborhoods and cities have been destroyed, and children of many nationalities go to bed scared, missing relatives and afraid of what tomorrow may bring …

Where diplomatic efforts have faltered, international humanitarian law has been shredded, and faith in the international system has been shaken …

Many across the world, and here in Jordan, and perhaps even in this very room, are asking “what is the point of multilateralism when the United Nations appears unable or unwilling to prevent or stop war?” 

Against this backdrop, the idea of forum – 

born of a partnership between the UN in Jordan, the Politics and Society Institute, and the University of Jordan, with support from Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – 

emerged as a way to commemorate the creation of the United Nations by pausing to reflect on the origins of multilateralism, confront its challenges, and explore ways to strengthen it in these critical times.

Because despite how difficult this moment is, and how far away peace and justice may seem, it is our belief that abandoning multilateral cooperation is not an option. 

Personally, I can share that my nearly two decades of humanitarian work in emergencies — from conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq and Sudan, to the Ebola outbreak in Africa and multiple earthquakes in Indonesia — have shown, in very real and human terms, both the unbelieavable suffering we humans can inflict on each other, as well as the good we can create when we work collectively to overcome the insurmountable and advance each other’s rights.

The origins of multilateralism lie in this very realization:  that humanity’s collective challenges require collective solutions. 

The devastation of two world wars laid bare the limitations of unilateral action.  Out of this, in 1945, the United Nations was born—a beacon of hope that reflected humanity’s resolve to overcome division and build a foundation for peace. 

It provided a platform where nations could work together to prevent or end conflict, uphold human rights, and foster development. 

It created the principle that these high goals would require collective effort, and be a shared responsibility.

For the Middle East, multilateralism has held profound significance. 

For decades, the region has witnessed the indispensable role of the UN in fostering dialogue, providing humanitarian assistance, and advancing sustainable development. 

Collective action has been an indispensable tool in alleviating human suffering across the region.

Jordan exemplifies the promise of multilateralism and of what UN member nations can achieve through committed action. 

Guided by principles of compassion, diplomacy, and a steadfast commitment to peace, Jordan has consistently championed dialogue over discord. Its unparalleled generosity as a host to millions of refugees for nearly eight decades underscores its moral leadership and embodies the principles of the UN Charter. 

Over the years, Jordan has worked hand-in-hand with UN agencies, civil society, bilateral donors, and international financial institutions, to provide critical aid and hope to those in need, reminding us of what is possible when we all work together in solidarity. 

This enduring partnership illustrates that true spirit of multilateralism: shared responsibility and unified action to overcome humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Yet, multilateralism faces serious challenges in our current day.

Geopolitical rivalries, resource competition, and the prevalence of populist nationalism strain the very framework upon which the UN operates. 

Nations do not have equality in global governance and decision making. 

Multilateral systems are outdated and reflect the world as it was in the 1940s and 1950s, and are insufficient to meet modern challenges that transcend borders and demand collective solutions, such as climate change, digital security, and public health preparedness. 

Mistrust and skepticism towards multilateral institutions has grown in recent years because many people fail to see concrete results. 

For them, decision-making is not transparent enough. 

The root causes of conflict are too often left unaddressed and manmade catastrophic suffering is not stopped. 

And the outcomes of global cooperation seem distant from everyday struggles. 

These challenges compel us to ask a pressing question: 

Amidst these challenges, how can we sustain and adapt multilateralism to serve a rapidly changing and deeply interconnected world?

This is what our panelists and moderators will discuss.

And without spoiling their discussion, allow me to offer one clear truth:  the success of the United Nations depends on the commitment of its member states and the active participation of civil society. 

Achieving the UN’s high goals requires action from everyone –governments, civil society and individuals. It requires their collective support for diplomacy, the principles and values underpinning the UN, and the very notion that global cooperation is a desirable goal. 

So allow me to thank you for expressing your commitment to these principles and ideals by taking time to join us today.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

Multilateralism is not merely a framework; it is a reflection of our shared humanity. 

It is a recognition that no nation, no matter how powerful, can stand alone in an interconnected world. 

And it remains our most powerful tool for addressing the challenges of our time—from climate change to conflict, from poverty to pandemics.

My years with the United Nations have taught me that while the path of cooperation is almost always not the easy path, it is the one that is always worth pursuing. The alternative – competition and division – only deepens inequality and suffering.

I look forward to the panelists discussions today, and to their ideas of how we can continue to follow the path of cooperation while also reimagining multilateralism for the modern world.

The challenges before us are immense. 

But let us not lose faith. 

Let us work together to build a world where peace, cooperation, and justice prevail for all. 

Everyone in this room has a role to play in building that world.

Thank you.