Eighty years ago, as the world recovered from one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history, the United Nations was born to maintain international peace and security and promote international cooperation.
It has served as a key pillar for the post-World War II (WWII) global order till this day – in spite of the mounting challenges to its effectiveness from rising nationalism and unilateralism across the globe.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the UN, China’s Wuhan University and Egypt’s Benha University held an event in the city of Wuhan on October 18. Titled “The 80th anniversary of the UN: World order, international law and the future of multilateralism,” the event saw officials, scholars and legal experts from all over the world discuss the challenges and the road ahead.
As Miguel de Serpa Soares, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, said in his keynote speech, the UN represents a fundamental change in the concept of international security. Peace is not forged by the balance of power, but governed by the rule of law. The conduct of state is governed by norm, not by might.
However, 80 years of norm and rule building is now under serious threat. With the rise of unilateralism in international politics, economy and military relationships, the world is on the brink of returning to the bygone era of great power politics that led to the deaths of millions.
In China’s case, there are constant efforts to undermine a cornerstone of its sovereignty – the Taiwan question.
A series of actions have been emboldening the separatists on the island and causing rising tension in the region. They include moves like the “Taiwan International Solidarity Act” passed by the U.S. and unilateral attempts to change the status of China’s Taiwan region – according it de facto “independence” without officially recognizing it.
Zhao Shitong, Vice Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said challenges to UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, which established the representatives of the People’s Republic of China as the only lawful representatives of China to the UN, not only challenge China’s core interest but the legal foundation of international law.
The UN needs to change. Huang Jin, President of the Chinese Society of International Law and senior humanities and social sciences professor of Wuhan University, said the UN is largely a product of its time. Its operation and rules reflect the post-WWII structure.
The voice of the developing countries was neither prominent nor treated as an urgency at that time. As the world progresses, the UN needs to improve its operation and update its priorities and mission to make sure it can maintain and enlarge its influence in this tumultuous world that desperately needs the pillar of multilateralism to remain firm and powerful.
However, there are things that are and should remain unchanged – the fundamental commitment to peace, sincerity to cooperation, and respect for the core interest and equality of all nations.
As the UN steers through this volatile time, it needs to be strengthened so that it includes more voices from the Global South, addresses the ongoing conflicts between nations, and resists the erosion of international norms.
Multilateralism won’t survive on rhetoric. It needs real actions by all those who believe in it.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-10-20/80-years-on-UN-needs-to-be-improved-1HBsMrba9BC/p.html
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
