Our Leader from Japan, Excellency Motohide Yoshikawa, Professor at the International Christian University and former Ambassador of Japan to the UN, has recently taken part to the “Effective, Inclusive and Networked Multilateralism fit for the 21st Century” panel co organized between Japan’s Institute of International Affairs and the United Nations.
Ambassador Yoshikawa discussed the state of global governance and shared his analyses for its renewal with Under-Secretary-General for Policy of the UN, Mr. Guy Ryder, and Professor Meiko Nakabayashi of Waseda University, under the moderation of Miki Ebara, former correspondent of NHK to the UN. In preparation of the Summit for the Future to be held in September by the UN, the panelists exchanged their views on major global challenges and their approach to solving them.
Ambassador Yoshikawa greatly embodied the mission of Leaders for Peace by emphasizing on the need to return to dialogue to solve crucial threats – namely nuclear weapons, climate change and artificial intelligence – and fight against the rise of nationalism.
Ambassador Yoshikawa and his co-panelist highlighted the risk new populists and nationalists cause to global governance by nourishing anger, disinformation, distrust and conspiracy and wrongly ignoring the international scene. Affirming that “To be a good nationalist, one has to be a good internationalist” – as diplomats are the oldest nationalists, always defending the interests of their home country – Ambassador Yoshikawa however specified national interests can and must be defended, but while respecting the rules of the game of diplomacy and governance.
Ambassador Yoshikawa reminded the audience of Japan’s position to always defend the rule of law. As the largest contributor to the International Criminal Court, and fundamentally attached to the United Nations’ Charter, Ambassador Yoshikawa defended Japan’s position as a G4 member actively acting for a reform of the Security Council under the upholding of the core values and rules of the UN. The unaccountability and sense of impunity felt by a great part of the international community and shared with other panelists is disruptive to the good functioning of the UN. Only a renewal of the global governance architecture can bring back the power, legitimacy and credibility of the UN to the eyes of public opinion and policymakers.
Leaders for Peace, through our leaders such as Ambassador Yoshikawa, continues to advocate for similar reforms inside the international architecture. A more inclusive and efficient multilateralism can only be built if we acknowledge the weaknesses of our current governance model and work collectively for solutions to restore dialogue and build fair decision-making mechanisms.
The Summit of the Future will be concluded by a Pact for the Future currently under discussion between the policymakers to attend the Summit. Leaders for Peace will continue to monitor the preparatory exchanges like Ambassador Yoshikawa’s to enrich its work for a renewed multilateral system.
