Commentary

This commentary addresses the challenges and opportunities of renewing multilateral cooperation, including at the UN Summit of the Future. It argues that despite pessimism given global political divisions, significant potential exists for reform. Recent successes demonstrate the efficacy of networked multilateralism, in which coalitions of states supported by nongovernmental organizations played pivotal roles. The piece suggests such coalitions can help Member States renew the multilateral system based on fair representation, increased contributions from emerging powers, shared responsibility among major powers, and inclusion of nongovernmental actors. It emphasizes the need for world leaders to address pressing challenges and restore trust in multilateral systems by showing they can deliver fair, inclusive, and effective solutions. The author offers a framework to guide global governance reform—which defends the old, governs the new, strengthens the borrowed, and renews the blue—and ensure the UN remains a relevant and central body in global governance.