14 March 2018: UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Miroslav Lajcak has released a summary of three dialogues among Member States’ permanent representatives on the theme, ‘Multilateralism Under Fire.’ The summary highlights an interest in seeing the UN evolve in response to global realities, and recommendations on promoting the benefits of multilateralism and engaging with external stakeholders, including youth.

The ‘Morning Dialogues’ series, which Lajcak initiated at the start of his presidency, aims to promote “genuine and frank exchanges” among permanent representatives to the UN in small group settings. Other topics that Morning Dialogues have addressed include: gender mainstreaming; small states and the UN; closer cooperation and coherence between New York, Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna; and coherence in the work of the main committees. The Morning Dialogues on multilateralism took place on 15 February, 23 February and 9 March.

According to the summary, the discussions identified the UN as the most appropriate forum for multilateralism, but stressed that it needs to adapt to changes in the global architecture and better demonstrate the benefits of multilateralism. Participants cited the need for communicating successes, including through investment in new communication strategies and tools. Ambassadors also expressed a need for the UN to modernize its outlook and working methods. They recommended that it “sharpen its focus.”

Observing that stakeholders are gaining global influence and should assume responsibility, participants recommended “reaching out to them in a language they understand rather than inter-governmental language.” Members States also suggested engaging youth on global issues using the tools they use.

Lajcak noted that he will convene additional Morning Dialogues to explore selected issues related to multilateralism, including on engagement with external stakeholders and the use of new technologies. [UNGA President’s Letter and Summary] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on morning dialogues]