Multilateralism: What is it, and why does it matter?

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Multilateralism is a term frequently used at the United Nations, but it’s not a concept that is only relevant to the corridors and conference rooms where international diplomacy takes place.

Beyond the UN, it affects people’s daily lives in many ways. It helps reduce conflicts, grow our economies, and allows us to travel safely around the world. It’s also crucial for tackling big global problems like climate change and unregulated artificial intelligence.

What does “multilateral” actually mean?  

Originally, “multilateral” was a geometry term meaning “many-sided.”

Now, it describes international politics and diplomacy, where many countries with different views and goals work together.

The United Nations system is the principal multilateral forum where countries come together to solve global problems. They hold conferences, summits, and meetings to address important issues.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

The world comes together to debate issues at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Cooperation, Compromise, and Coordination  

In international affairs, countries work together (cooperation), make deals (compromise), and organize their efforts (coordination) to solve problems that one country alone couldn’t handle.

These three “Cs” help build trust and settle disputes peacefully.

Making the modern world possible  

Imagine if every country developed its own system for phone calls, airlines, shipping or mail developed nationally – and did not coordinate with others. Global travel, communication, and trade would be a mess. Thanks to multilateralism, we have international systems that make these things possible.

The fact that we have global standards for a range of our daily activities from health to postal systems to travel is down to multilateralism, and the creation of a series of multilateral organizations, many of which were established in the 19th Century, and have now become part of the UN System.

Two multilateral organizations that pre-date the UN are:

International Telecommunications Union (ITU): Started in 1865 to standardize telegraph networks. Now, it helps with governance for radio frequencies, satellites, and the internet.

International Labour Organization (ILO): Founded in 1919 to promote workers’ rights, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

Multilateralism enables international coordination across sectors, including communication.

Making multilateral policies  

Since 1945, the UN has helped countries work together and create important agreements.

The central policy-making arm of the Organization is the General Assembly, a unique forum for multilateral discussions of international issues.

Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote, no matter the size of their economy, population, or military might: Monaco’s vote carries the same weight as China’s.

Achievements of the UN  

Another feature of multilateralism is standard-setting. The General Assembly has this normative role and has created many international laws and treaties on disarmament, human rights, and environmental protection.

One of its greatest accomplishments is the drafting and adoption of the groundbreaking Universal Declaration of Human Rights which paved the way for a comprehensive body of human rights law.  

Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, it was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1948.

It set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and new democracies.

UN Photo

Young children read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at a playground. (Archive)

The Cold War  

During the Cold War (late 1940s to early 1990s), the UN played a key role in peacekeeping and arms control.

Despite the threat of nuclear war, a third world war was avoided partly because of the UN providing a platform for discussion and decision-making.

The UN today  

Some 80 years later, the United Nations is still the world’s primary multilateral organization, harmonizing and coordinating international action in fields ranging from peacekeeping to economic development to trade.

Millions of lives have been saved thanks to the humanitarian assistance provided and coordinated by the United Nations, bringing food, health and shelter to conflict and disaster zones.

The multilateral framework has expanded beyond countries to include representatives of civil society, youth and business, among others.

© UNRWA

UN staff support a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.

What’s next?

Member States often struggle to cope effectively with today’s global threats and challenges, from devastating civil wars and cross-border conflicts to growing economic inequality between and within countries, and the existential threats of unregulated artificial intelligence and climate change.

To make sure that the UN remains fit for purpose as the world’s pre-eminent forum for multilateralism in the decades to come, in 2020 Member States invited the Secretary-General, António Guterres, to develop a vision for stronger global governance, for present and future generations.

Policy reforms in areas from peacekeeping to the international financial architecture, education and youth engagement in policymaking were encapsulated in Our Common Agenda, which covered recommendations for an upgraded UN which in turn fed into the landmark Pact for the Future, which was adopted by world leaders at the Summit for the Future meeting at the United Nations in New York in September 2024.

Call to action by the UN chief

In his first year as Secretary-General, António Guterres said having laws and conventions are not enough.

He urged: “We need stronger commitment to a rules-based order, with the United Nations at its centre, with the different institutions and treaties that bring the Charter to life.”

He called for networked multilateralism – with other international and regional organizations – and an inclusive multilateralism that would withstand the tests and threats of today and tomorrow.