On 27 October 2025, Ambassadors and Representatives of the Permanent Observer delegations to the United Nations at Geneva organized at the Palais des Nations a special event on “The Future of Multilateralism: Permanent Observers’ Perspectives” in the context of the 80th Anniversary of the creation of the United Nations – a milestone that invites both reflections and renewal. It reminds us that multilateralism is a living framework that must evolve to remain credible, inclusive and impactful.
The event was the result of a collective vision and coordination among the Permanent Observer delegations, including the African Union, the Council of Europe, the European Public Law Organization, the European Union, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the International Development Law Organization, the League of Arab States, the International Organization of Francophonie, the Sovereign Order Malta, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Pacific Islands Forum, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the University for Peace.
Reflecting the delegations’ linguistic and cultural diversity, the event enjoyed simultaneous interpretation in French and Arabic.
The aim of the event was to highlight the unique role that Permanent Observer Missions play in International Geneva and how they contribute to multilateral endeavours. They explored best practices from the engagement of Permanent Observers that might contribute to a more inclusive and responsive multilateral system in the face of global challenges. The event showcased how these organizations engage with national, subnational, or regional actors to translate multilateral initiatives into meaningful local impact. It also suggested possible measures that multilateral institutions could adopt to build trust and legitimacy among communities. Finally, the discussion analysed possible transformations for a more impactful multilateral system and proposed potential initiatives to ensure that multilateralism and the work conducted in Geneva remain relevant to people worldwide.
Speaking at the opening, the Director-General of UNOG, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, underlined that today’s global environment is significantly more complex than when the UN was founded. While Member States remain the core actors, a broad array of intergovernmental organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and regional institutions now shape multilateral processes. The Director General emphasized the importance of inclusive and integrated multilateralism and drew attention to the UN80 initiative and the Pact for the Future as frameworks to modernize mandates, structures, and efficiencies. She emphasized close cooperation with Permanent Observers is essential to avoid duplication and enhance impact.
Thematic Interventions Speakers underscored the value of Permanent Observers as bridges between global norm-setting and local realities:
- The Sovereign Order of Malta stressed the importance of expertise over formal voting power, highlighting the humanitarian and field-based knowledge that Observers bring. They keep concepts like human dignity and neutrality alive in the system, anchoring multilateralism in legitimacy.
- The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) noted that Observers contribute connectivity, credibility, and technical capacity; especially by assisting states in fulfilling international commitments and supporting national, development, be it in justice and governance, economic development, or digital innovation.
- The League of Arab States emphasized the need for inclusive, transparent, and regionally grounded multilateralism, with strengthened regional mechanisms and expanded participation of civil society and marginalized groups.
During the Interactive Dialogue, the Council of Europe recalled the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter. The European Public Law Organization (EPLO) advocated for reforms of the International civil service to align the 1945 institutions with modern geopolitical realities. The European Union (EU) strongly supported the respect of the UN Charter in this 80th Anniversary of the creation of the United Nations. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) observed with deep concern that multilateralism is being put under immense strain. But this should not prevent those parties from exercising their role efficiently and effectively. The Pacific Island Forum underlined that unity and shared purpose will shape the future of multilateralism, with the Pacific message that “We are all in the same canoe”. Collective action, trust, and shared purpose can ensure not only the survival but the transformation of multilateralism. Finally, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean advised that, for there to be effective multilateralism, all perspectives should be at the table, including those of civil society, academia and the private sector.
The Contributions from Permanent Observers and Member States reinforced several common themes:
- Inclusivity and legitimacy: Multilateralism must better reflect diverse regional perspectives and give meaningful voice to developing countries. Regional organizations help translate global commitments into local implementation and bring contextual legitimacy to global decision-making.
- Trust and communication: Trust in multilateral institutions has eroded. Speakers highlighted the need for more transparency, more consistent application of international law, and clearer communication of concrete results to the public.
- Reform and efficiency: The liquidity and budgetary crisis affecting the UN system was widely acknowledged as a catalyst for genuine institutional reform. Several contributors stressed that reform must not merely reduce costs but strengthen the system’s capacity to respond swiftly to crises and to address issues such as climate change, conflict, digital governance, and global inequality.
- Role of the international civil service: The sustainability and professional independence of the international civil service were raised as essential to the functioning and credibility of the UN system. Recent workforce reductions and structural uncertainty were noted with concern.
- Bridging local and global action: Many Observers and member states underscored that effective multilateralism is not only negotiated in New York or Geneva but must be visibly relevant to communities and citizens. Regional partnerships, parliamentary diplomacy, and grassroots engagement were highlighted as key levers.
The event demonstrated a strong shared commitment to preserving and renewing multilateral cooperation. Special thanks to the International Organization of Francophonie, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the University for Peace for all the logistic support. Participants agreed that Permanent Observers play a distinctive and increasingly necessary role by contributing expertise, regional coordination, and practical field experience. The gathering was widely understood not as an isolated occurrence, but as the beginning of a sustained process
