Currently, the world is undergoing significant change as emerging powers become more important and active participants in the international system. Significant changes in the relative economic and political power of states pose new challenges and opportunities for international peace and development. The key challenge is to build a new inclusive global order which promotes the development and prosperity of all, based on mutual respect, common interests and shared responsibility.

Global security concerns also need to be addressed within an open, fair and inclusive structure which advances both regional and global security, avoiding a new Cold War based on alliance formation, balance of power calculations, arms races and deterrence.   

To advance a new world order, the United Nations (UN) should seek to build cooperative partnerships based on respect for sovereignty focusing on the development of mutually beneficial relationships, rather than zero-sum associations based on conflict, disagreement and military interference. 

Major-country relations should be grounded on increased dialogue, promotion of mutual trust, and expanded cooperation with a view to managing and resolving disputes. Recognition that globalization has created a highly interdependent world should inform and guide international cooperation. 

The complex interdependence which characterizes United States-China relations requires increased cooperation to address differences as an escalation in conflict and disagreement would be mutually damaging.

Global change requires the UN to propose a creative and innovative plan to build a new institutional system of global governance and conflict management. With 193 members now, the UN’s original structure based on a membership of less than 50 requires extensive revision and modernization. The UN is in urgent need of comprehensive reform to reflect the realities of the current global system, while procedures for managing international relations require improvement and greater democratization. 

The roadmap toward a positive and constructive new world order should advance relationships based on equality, shared respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. The building of such relationships will benefit all citizens of the world and promote global peace and stability. The UN should take the lead in strengthening the positive aspects of state interaction to promote greater global dialogue for mutually beneficial outcomes. A more inclusive and representative UN Security Council, based on consensus decision-making rather than the power of a veto, could be the first step toward increasing stability in the global system.          

A positive global environment which facilitates open trade and investment remains a key priority for all states. Continued healthy international trade and investment should be a major objective for all developing countries over the next few decades to complete the work of modernizing and eliminating poverty. The UN should actively discourage trade barriers and political formations which undermine global interaction and cooperation. 

The promotion of constructive economic partnerships should be prioritized and the democratization of international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization advanced. Given the size of Africa’s presence in the UN General Assembly, increased African representation in all international institutions of governance, especially the UN Security Council, should be an urgent priority.  

The UN has a responsibility to take the lead in crafting a framework for a new world order which reflects the current global realities, rather than the outdated institutions created at the end of World War II 70 years ago. CA

 Currently, the world is undergoing significant change as emerging powers become more important and active participants in the international system. Significant changes in the relative economic and political power of states pose new challenges and opportunities for international peace and development. The key challenge is to build a new inclusive global order which promotes the development and prosperity of all, based on mutual respect, common interests and shared responsibility.

Global security concerns also need to be addressed within an open, fair and inclusive structure which advances both regional and global security, avoiding a new Cold War based on alliance formation, balance of power calculations, arms races and deterrence.   

To advance a new world order, the United Nations (UN) should seek to build cooperative partnerships based on respect for sovereignty focusing on the development of mutually beneficial relationships, rather than zero-sum associations based on conflict, disagreement and military interference. 

Major-country relations should be grounded on increased dialogue, promotion of mutual trust, and expanded cooperation with a view to managing and resolving disputes. Recognition that globalization has created a highly interdependent world should inform and guide international cooperation. 

The complex interdependence which characterizes United States-China relations requires increased cooperation to address differences as an escalation in conflict and disagreement would be mutually damaging.

Global change requires the UN to propose a creative and innovative plan to build a new institutional system of global governance and conflict management. With 193 members now, the UN’s original structure based on a membership of less than 50 requires extensive revision and modernization. The UN is in urgent need of comprehensive reform to reflect the realities of the current global system, while procedures for managing international relations require improvement and greater democratization. 

The roadmap toward a positive and constructive new world order should advance relationships based on equality, shared respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. The building of such relationships will benefit all citizens of the world and promote global peace and stability. The UN should take the lead in strengthening the positive aspects of state interaction to promote greater global dialogue for mutually beneficial outcomes. A more inclusive and representative UN Security Council, based on consensus decision-making rather than the power of a veto, could be the first step toward increasing stability in the global system.          

A positive global environment which facilitates open trade and investment remains a key priority for all states. Continued healthy international trade and investment should be a major objective for all developing countries over the next few decades to complete the work of modernizing and eliminating poverty. The UN should actively discourage trade barriers and political formations which undermine global interaction and cooperation. 

The promotion of constructive economic partnerships should be prioritized and the democratization of international organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization advanced. Given the size of Africa’s presence in the UN General Assembly, increased African representation in all international institutions of governance, especially the UN Security Council, should be an urgent priority.  

The UN has a responsibility to take the lead in crafting a framework for a new world order which reflects the current global realities, rather than the outdated institutions created at the end of World War II 70 years ago.  

(The writer is professor of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand)