Eighth International Security Forum

Ambassador Winkler
State Councillor Moutinot
Distinguished speakers
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a distinct pleasure for me to be with you at the opening of the 8th International Security Forum. This conference highlights, once again, the dynamism of the academic community here in Switzerland, and the important contribution that synergies between researchers, government practitioners and civil society can make to global debates.

The title of this session suggests that we may be moving towards an unruly world. A deep economic and financial crisis with increased potential for social unrest, continuing violent conflicts, an alarming arms build-up, a possible nuclear renaissance, warming of our planet with potentially cataclysmic consequences, escalating humanitarian needs – all of this does seem to point towards greater instability and insecurity. Yet, while the challenges we face may be becoming more “unruly” – more difficult to predict and harder to manage – the reaction is, in fact, a greater focus on multilateral strategies, framed within rule-based structures.

This is not as paradoxical as it may sound. Common to all the challenges we face is exactly that they respect no borders and can only effectively be confronted through collective action. There is always a global dimension to a given problem and a local impact. We must connect these levels, and that can only be done through effective multilateral institutions. Addressing the “unruly” requires rules.

Against a backdrop of expanding military expenditure, we are now experiencing a renewed and much-needed focus on disarmament and non-proliferation through both multilateral and bilateral avenues. The record demand for United Nations peacekeeping, with over 110,000 personnel deployed, testifies to a growing reliance on the unique legitimacy of multilateral efforts in putting an end to conflict and setting countries on the path to sustainable peace. In just a few weeks, the General Assembly will come together for the United Nations High-Level Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, as another demonstration of the need to work through multilateral channels for comprehensive responses to the economic crisis.

As the only truly global organization, the United Nations plays a central role in shaping this new multilateral approach, and in serving as its main instrument. Multilateralism is not just a “coping mechanism” in a changing global landscape. By combining power and principle, by replacing confrontation with cooperation, multilateralism produces legitimate, long-term solutions to shared challenges.

I look forward to following the discussions and wish you all the best for the coming three days.

Thank you very much.