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Strengthening the United Nations

The Elders believe strongly that the United Nations is a necessary and core part of the global governance system.

Latest Content

Statement
The Elders call on G7 leaders to seize the moment on vaccines and climate action
07 Jun 2021
The Elders call on G7 leaders to take urgent action on vaccine distribution and pledge new climate finance at the G7 summit 11-13 June, or risk further weakening the multilateral system on which future progress and prosperity depends.
News
The Elders welcome new report into pandemic preparedness and urge bold action on recommendations
13 May 2021
The Elders welcome new recommendations calling for world leaders and the international community to act boldly and with urgency to limit the impacts of COVID-19 and prevent future crises.
News
COVID-19 offers an opportunity to reform the multilateral system
05 May 2021
As COVID-19 has exposed the wide failure of global governance, Ernesto Zedillo calls for the world to seize this opportunity to reform the multilateral system to ensure future accountability and effectiveness. 
Opinion
Women’s leadership must drive the global recovery from COVID-19
08 Mar 2021
Marking International Women's Day 2021, Mary Robinson reflects on why women leadership is crucial in achieving a more equal society post-COVID-19, and why the success of COP26 will depend on it. Published in Inter Press Service.
More on Strengthening the UN

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Our Work

The Elders launched a specific initiative on “Strengthening the UN” at the Munich Security Conference in 2015. They proposed four reforms to the UN’s peace and security architecture that would enhance the organisation’s legitimacy and efficacy: a new category of membership for the UN Security Council; a pledge from Permanent Members not to use their veto to prevent action against mass atrocities; a greater voice for civil society; and a more independent Secretary-General.

Following the election of António Guterres as Secretary-General in October 2016, The Elders have focused their efforts on veto restraint. They have raised the issue at meetings with Security Council members in New York and have worked to amplify the voices of civil society and victims of conflict.

The Elders also strongly support the UN’s 2030 Agenda on development and its efforts to introduce new Global Compacts on refugees and migration.

Our call for veto restraint

In May 2016, The Elders joined civil society to call on members of the Security Council to exercise veto restraint to prevent mass atrocities.

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