UK foreign secretary cites need for reformed multilateralism system

LONDON

Britain’s foreign secretary said Thursday that global multilateralism has enabled humanity to tackle fundamental challenges, but that does not mean it is perfect.

"It’s clear that what we need is a reformed and reinvigorated multilateralism system," James Cleverly said during a speech at an event at Chatham House in London.

Elaborating on this, he noted that it should be "more inclusive and more responsive" to global challenges including migration, security, development, climate change and future pandemics.

Pointing to the need to improve the effectiveness of the multilateral order, Cleverly said he consistently hears that "multilateral reform is now overdue."

"The world’s economic center of gravity is shifting away from the Euro-Atlantic and towards the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“Africa’s share of the world’s population is forecast to double from 18% to 37% by 2100 while Europe's shrinks from 10% to just 5%, adding to already significant migratory pressures.

"What all this means is that in the coming decades, an ever greater share of the world’s power will be in the hands of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America," he added.

Saying that the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable countries must be heard at the heart of the multilateral system, he said that is why the UK supports "permanent membership of the G-20 for the African Union and welcomes India’s leadership on taking this forward."

Mentioning his "five transnational priorities," Cleverly said reform of the UN Security Council is at the top of the list.

"We want to see permanent African representation and membership extended to India, Brazil, Germany and Japan.

"I know this is a bold reform. But it will usher the Security Council into the 2020s. And the UNSC has grown before – albeit not since 1965," he added.

Cleverly noted that reform of the international financial institutions, sustainable public finances for low and middle income countries, trade and artificial intelligence and quantum computing are his other priorities.