In striking statements, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the UN General Assembly, asserted that the international organization must "reform, transform, or die" in a world that is more volatile than the one in which it was established. This came during her appearance on the 'Europe Today' program on Euronews, where she confirmed that the UN is facing a genuine crisis, yet at the same time, it cannot be replaced.
Espinosa, who also served as Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, clarified that "the world cannot live without" the UN, pointing out that the crucial question is how the organization can survive. She added, "The real problem is that the UN needs to reinvent itself to face a different reality."
Event Details
The UN is currently experiencing one of the most challenging periods in its history, as governments around the world have reduced development aid. For instance, former US President Donald Trump halted funding for several UN agencies, pledging only $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs last December, while contributions in previous years had reached $17 billion.
The UN also cut its annual budget for 2026 by 15%, and in 2025, it launched the UN80 initiative, a plan aimed at reducing costs and implementing necessary reforms to address current challenges, coinciding with the organization's 80th anniversary.
Background & Context
The UN was established in 1945 with the goal of promoting international peace and security, but the geopolitical and economic changes the world has undergone since then have necessitated a reevaluation of its role. In recent years, criticisms regarding the legitimacy of the UN have intensified, especially after Trump initiated the Peace Council, which several governments viewed as exceeding the UN's mandate.
This initiative, which initially aimed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza post-war, was later expanded, drawing criticism from EU countries like France and Spain. Espinosa emphasized that there are challenges in the world that cannot be replaced by any other organization, particularly concerning humanitarian programs.
Impact & Consequences
Espinosa's statements serve as an urgent call to reconsider how the UN operates, highlighting the importance of collaboration with regional organizations, cities, and other actors that did not exist 80 years ago. She also pointed out the vital role Europe can play in strengthening the multilateral framework, especially in bridging funding gaps.
Amid increasing crises such as conflicts, climate change, and poverty, cities are seen as the centers where these challenges manifest most acutely. Espinosa noted that current investments are insufficient to meet the needs of the billion people living in slums worldwide, indicating a need for more effective resource reallocation.
Regional Significance
Considering the situation in the Arab region, the challenges faced by Arab cities require an immediate response from the UN. The crises in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen necessitate urgent intervention, as these nations suffer from the effects of conflict and poverty. Enhancing cooperation between the UN and Arab states could contribute to improving humanitarian and developmental conditions in the region.
In conclusion, Espinosa's call stands out as a plea to rethink the UN's role in a changing world, necessitating serious actions to reform the organization to effectively address contemporary challenges.