United Peace International (UPI) envisions a world united in peace through strong systems of global governance that focus on the shared well-being of all people and the planet rather than perpetuating systems that support the idea of sovereign states vying for resources and power. Its ultimate goal is the creation of a global government.
While that goal might seem a utopian dream, and even if that dream might be far off, UPI believes that it is essential to support and promote efforts to update a multilayered system and create mechanisms to prevent events that undermine humanity’s safety and security.
UPI believes that the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) – ranging from the elimination of poverty and hunger to quality education and gender equality; from tackling the gross socio-economic inequalities that plague humanity, creation of strong institutions to ensure justice and peace as well as its several goals to tackle the threats to all life on earth.
The UN has built partnerships to achieve those goals and UPI supports that strategy. UPI believes that cross-sectional efforts are fundamental in all fields to promote human intelligence, innovation, and action on the various issues that impede world peace. UPI will reach out to other organizations working toward global governance. Cooperation and coordination are essential for building lasting global governance structures.
UPI believes that fundamental to achieving those goals is “disarmament for development.” It is beyond time that countries stop arming themselves to the teeth and the development of ever-increasingly lethal weapons in search of fully autonomous weapons that would allow countries that have them to protect their own militaries and citizens from harm while decimating their enemies in war.
UPI envisions and is committed to helping build a world where the multiple trillions of dollars invested in weapons and war are instead directed toward the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as other challenges we collectively face.
Finally, UPI believes that humanity has more that unites us than divides us and by working together we can ultimately achieve a peaceful world governmental system that benefits us all.
The Imperative of United Nations Reform to Realize World Peace based on Global Governance
We believe that to achieve world peace based on global governance, it is essential to have judicial, legislative, and executive institutions that are founded on democracy and oversee its functioning. The United Nations, established and operated as the body to propel this vision forward, must undergo reforms to reclaim its original role. Particularly, we advocate for the reevaluation and reconstruction of the role of the UN Security Council and its five permanent members (the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom). This reform should not be based on the security of states or disputes over deployment but must be organized and governed based on human security.
The current composition and function of the UN Security Council reflect the international order post-World War II, which is not adapted to the 21st century’s multipolar and highly interdependent world. The veto power of the permanent members often hinders the Security Council from acting swiftly and effectively. This is evident in significant international conflicts such as the crises in Syria, Ukraine, and the ongoing issues between Palestine and Israel.
Furthermore, expanding the UN Security Council to include voices from emerging and regional powers like Brazil, India, South Africa, Japan, and Germany is critical. These countries have grown in economic and geopolitical significance in the international community, necessitating the reflection of their influence in the governance structure.
Additionally, UN reform includes updating approaches to global challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change. Strengthening multilateral cooperation within the UN framework and developing more inclusive and effective solutions are required. This necessitates enhanced coordination among UN agencies and expanded collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and civil society.
Lastly, stabilizing the financial foundation of the UN is crucial. The current system, reliant on contributions from member states, often leads to financial uncertainty, affecting UN projects and operations. Establishing a more transparent and predictable funding mechanism is necessary.
Overall, the reform and update of the UN are paramount for strengthening global governance and enhancing the international community’s capacity to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century. To ensure the UN plays its role in truly solving common global problems, it is essential to reform both its structure and functions to be timely and relevant. Based on this perspective, we commit to advancing activities aimed at achieving world peace based on global governance, in collaboration with people all over the world.