Director-General's remarks at the Session with students of the Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance Programme (MEIG)

Conference for the 2025-2026 edition of the Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance Programme (MEIG) of the University of Geneva

Thursday, 5 March 2026, at 2.00 p.m.
Room S4, Palais des Nations

Dear students,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this conference for the Master of Advanced Studies in European and International Governance Programme of the University of Geneva.

Let me thank Professor Kaddous for her leadership in this programme and for the close collaboration with the UN Office at Geneva since its launch in 2017.  

Let me also extend my warmest congratulations to all of you. By joining this programme, you become part of a vibrant community committed to improving governance and advancing multilateralism. You embody values that are central to Geneva’s - and indeed the United Nations’ - mission: diversity, dialogue and solidarity.

The United Nations must not only act – it must also be understood. As the UN Secretary-General recently reminded us here in Geneva, the UN must speak in a language that everyone can understand: by promoting the truth, providing clarity and offering hope. And, at a time of misinformation and declining trust in institutions, explaining what multilateralism actually delivers has never been more important.

State of multilateralism

Over the past decades, multilateral institutions have been the backbone of global efforts to maintain peace and security, advance sustainable development and uphold human rights. They have enabled collective responses to climate change, health crises, financial instability and now the digital revolution.

Yet, today, multilateralism is under significant strain. As the UN Secretary-General warned, we are living in a world where the “law of power is prevailing over the power of law”.

Around the world, we see multilateralism under pressure and muscle power on the rise.

International law is being challenged, cooperation is eroding and multilateral institutions are under assault on many fronts.

Geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts are provoking dangerous cycles of action and reaction, compounded by deep divisions.

Economic inequalities within and between countries continue to widen, creating fertile ground for polarization and distrust. These inequalities fuel social frustration and undermine confidence in international cooperation.

Climate change reminds us that our actions towards the planet inevitably provoke consequences – often severe ones – in the form of extreme weather, rising seas and environmental disruption.

Meanwhile, power is increasingly concentrating in the hubs of a small number of large technology companies that influence public debate, markets and even political processes.

Rapid technological change brings enormous promise but also risks from cyber threats to misinformation undermining democratic institutions. Artificial intelligence brings vast opportunities, but without effective governance and respect for human agency, its rapid expansion risks generating not innovation but instability.

These developments are testing the resilience of multilateralism. Some question whether our institutions are still fit for purpose. But this is not a moment to retreat. It is a moment to renew it.

As the UN Secretary-General has stressed in his recent speech on the priorities for 2026, we must “rebuild trust and restore solidarity” as well as to “rescue a multilateralism based on the UN Charter and international law”.

Why does multilateralism matter?

Today’s challenges do not respect borders. No country, no matter how powerful, can tackle them alone.

Multilateralism offers:

•    A platform for dialogue where diverse voices can be heard, and consensus can be built.
•    A mechanism for shared responsibility and burden-sharing in addressing global problems.
•    A foundation of law and norms that guide state behavior and protect the most vulnerable.
•    Opportunities for innovation and partnership across governments, civil society, and the private sector.

For young leaders, multilateralism is not an abstract concept, it is a practical toolbox for building bridges across divides, fostering peace and advancing sustainable development.

Renewal, not retreat

Encouragingly, there are also signs of renewal. In 2024, UN Member States adopted the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future – a forward-looking agreement to deliver a better present and safeguard the future. The Pact and its annexes – the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations – set out commitments to reform peace and security, make global financial governance fairer, harness digital technologies responsibly and embed long-term thinking in today’s decision-making. The Pact is not a magic wand, but it presents a shared commitment - by Member States and beyond - to rebuild trust and deliver results.

The year 2025 marked the first full year of its implementation. The General Assembly has launched follow-up dialogues on means of implementation, monitoring and review to ensure that the Pact moves from words on paper to tangible change by 2028. The United Nations system is also mobilizing to support implementation. This includes: 
-    Coordinating follow-up through a high-level steering committee, chaired by the UN Secretary-General;
-    Driving progress through six UN-wide working groups and two task teams, focused on key thematic priorities;
-    Supporting implementation at regional level, through the UN Regional Economic Commissions, and at country level, through Resident Coordinators and Country Teams;
-    Providing strategic guidance, data, coordination and communications via a dedicated team for Pact implementation within the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

UN80 and the role of Geneva

Last year, the United Nations marked its 80th anniversary – a moment to celebrate achievements, but above all to renew and adapt. Born from the ashes of war, the UN was founded on the values of peace, equality, and collective responsibility. Those values remain our compass as we confront very different threats, from climate breakdown to unregulated technologies.

The UN80 initiative is the system’s transformation blueprint. It focuses not on changing what the UN does, but how it works – to be more agile, coherent and impactful. The UN80 Action Plan shared with the Member States at the end of 2025, brings together three major workstreams into a single framework “under one roof”, translating them into 31 work packages with clear responsibilities and timelines. A new Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary-General, together with a UN80 Task Force, is driving this change so that every mandate and every dollar delivers stronger results.

Key priorities include:

•    Modern, inclusive decision-making;
•    A stronger voice for the Global South;
•    And deeper engagement between citizens and international institutions.

Geneva is one of the world’s leading hubs of diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. From humanitarian action and human rights to disarmament, digital cooperation, trade and health, Geneva brings together a diverse range of actors with one common goal: solving global challenges through collective action.

Some 40 UN entities, 188 UN Member States and hundreds of NGOs and academic partners make Geneva a unique ecosystem where global decisions are debated, shaped, and implemented.

Youth

One of the most encouraging developments of recent years is the growing recognition that young people must be equal partners in decision-making. At the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth in 2025, youth were recognized at the General Assembly as co-architects of our common future, not merely beneficiaries of policies designed by others. The Pact for the Future reinforces this by anchoring youth engagement and the Youth2030 strategy as a cross-cutting issue, including stronger financing and institutionalized participation.

Your generation is already driving change – from climate action to digital innovation and community solutions. You are also challenging institutions – including the UN – to be more inclusive, more accountable and more connected to the realities people face. This kind of constructive pressure is essential. It is precisely what can help renew multilateralism from within.

Dear students,

You are beginning or expanding your careers at a time of profound transformation and uncertainty. The stakes are high – for peace and security, for the climate, for the credibility of international institutions, but so is your potential to shape the future. You are not just observers of the international system, you are its future architects and stewards.

Thank you.