Page 26 - DIVA1 2026

international

The Future of multilateralism –

Permanent observers’ Perspectives

On 27 October 2026, Ambassadors and event showcased how these organizations
Representatives of the Permanent Observer engage with national, subnational, or regional
delegations to the United Nations at Geneva actors to translate multilateral initiatives into
organized at the Palais des Nations a special event meaningful local impact. It also suggested
on “The Future of Multilateralism: Permanent possible measures that multilateral institutions
Observers’ Perspectives” in the context of the could adopt to build trust and legitimacy among
80 Anniversary of the creation of the United communities. Finally, the discussion analysed
th
Nations – a milestone that invites both reflections possible transformations for a more impactful
and renewal. It reminds us that multilateralism multilateral system and proposed potential
is a living framework that must evolve to remain initiatives to ensure that multilateralism and the
credible, inclusive and impactful. work conducted in Geneva remain relevant to
people worldwide.
The event was the result of a collective vision
and coordination among the Permanent Speaking at the opening, the Director-General of
Observer delegations, including the African UNOG, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, underlined that
Union, the Council of Europe, the European today’s global environment is significantly more
Public Law Organization, the European Union, complex than when the UN was founded. While
the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of Member States remain the core actors, a broad
the Gulf, the International Development Law array of intergovernmental organizations, civil
Organization, the League of Arab States, the society, academia, the private sector, and regional
International Organization of Francophonie, institutions now shape multilateral processes. The
the Sovereign Order Malta, the Organization Director General emphasized the importance
of Islamic Cooperation, Pacific Islands Forum, of inclusive and integrated multilateralism and
Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean drew attention to the UN80 initiative and the
and the University for Peace. Pact for the Future as frameworks to modernize
mandates, structures, and efficiencies. She
Reflecting the delegations’ linguistic and cultural emphasized close cooperation with Permanent
diversity, the event enjoyed simultaneous Observers is essential to avoid duplication and
interpretation in French and Arabic. enhance impact.

The aim of the event was to highlight the Thematic Interventions Speakers underscored
unique role that Permanent Observer Missions the value of Permanent Observers as bridges
play in International Geneva and how they between global norm-setting and local realities:
contribute to multilateral endeavours. They
explored best practices from the engagement • The Sovereign Order of Malta stressed the
of Permanent Observers that might contribute importance of expertise over formal voting
to a more inclusive and responsive multilateral power, highlighting the humanitarian and field-
system in the face of global challenges. The based knowledge that Observers bring. They

w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h