MALAYSIA awaits the much-touted reforms of the world's largest institution - the United Nations (UN) and it should begin now as the young become disillusioned with contradictions and hypocrisy in many parts of the world today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when conveying this message at the recent G20 nations summit in Brazil, said reforms of the institutions of global governance, starting with the UN, are critically needed more than ever.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
The G20 has 19 member countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Türkiye, UK and USA) and two regional bodies: African Union and European Union.
The members of the G20 represent around 85% of the world's GDP, more than 75% of world trade and around two-thirds of the world's population.
"We have been hearing about the need for reforms of the UN institution for the past five decades on grounds of idealism and humanitarian values. We want representatives ... educated representatives," said Anwar.
He questioned the hypocrisy of it all when international organisations seemed to have no representation from the African Union or Latin America for some global gatherings.
"What is shocking and appalling is the opposition to reforms coming from the most democratic countries in the world. So if it benefits them, democracy is seen as okay and if not, we forget about it," said Anwar.
He stated that the UN security and trade resolutions, one after the other, have been ignored by some nations.
"And we tolerate such countries with impunity. Nothing is done to condemn them for ignoring the resolutions. Well, there is a reference to the plight of the Palestinians. Critical resolutions are ignored."
Anwar said that it is now good that the world outright rejects colonialism, and as Malaysia, who was part of many others which suffered its brutality when hundreds of billions were stolen and plundered from them, there seems to be ignorance towards what is happening to the Middle East where some territories remain colonised.
"There is colonial dispossession. It is difficult to answer but the world needs a task force to make the necessary reforms. Please do it as there is cynicism among the young when they are confronted with the apparent contradictions."
"Where is the human dignity of the UN?"
Anwar also pointed out the climate crises currently engulfing the world, saying that developing nations are now forced to protect their forests.
"We are forced to endure this when the others do not. To ensure fairness, we should be supported and compensated (by the rich nations)."
It is not happening, and the same applies to the principle of fair trade.
"We were earlier told to accept this fair trade and practises of it yet those countries which propagate this, are now the main supporters of protectionism."
The PKR president hopes that the G20 nations will make a clear declaration for effective global governance.
"The young and we have had enoug contradictions and hypocrisy," he said. - The Vibes, November 23, 2024.
