Global governance difficulties spark calls for reform from an authority in the UAE

Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat with a long career in Middle Eastern diplomacy, has issued a stark warning about the current state of global governance. As the Director-General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Mladenov has highlighted the failure of global institutions to keep pace with rapid technological change and global crises.

In a series of statements, Mladenov pointed out that if one reads the charter and principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and then looks at the realities of today, a very different environment is observed. The WTO, he argued, is struggling to remain relevant. Similarly, the United Nations (UN), as a mediator, has been undermined significantly over the last years.

Mladenov identified the UN Security Council as a prime example of institutional gridlock. He noted that many of the countries that are key to global security today were not present at the table when the UN was created. This, he argued, poses a significant challenge not only in terms of the risk of conflict but also global paralysis.

The inability of global forums to act decisively on urgent issues - such as climate change and pandemics - has been highlighted by Mladenov as a risk of inaction. He specifically mentioned the difficulty in securing consensus on climate change, specifically mentioning COP28 in Dubai.

Mladenov called for courageous reform of global institutions and proposed that it requires asking uncomfortable questions and proposing audacious answers. He warned that globalization is fractured, supply chains are being weaponized, and critical minerals are being securitized. He described a fractured global landscape where great powers jostle, middle powers assert, and non-state actors disrupt.

Despite the challenges, Mladenov emphasized that while global consensus on the need for reform is crucial, every nation must also chart its own path. For the UAE, this means focusing on diplomacy, mediation, trade and investment opportunities, and conflict resolution while upholding international principles.

The UAE, according to Mladenov, stands firm in its belief in building bridges, even as walls rise around the globe. This stance is evident in the UAE's approach to global issues, where it seeks to foster dialogue and cooperation rather than conflict and division.

In conclusion, Mladenov's warnings serve as a call to action for the international community. The current system of global governance, built after the Second World War, no longer reflects the realities of the modern era. It is time for bold and decisive action to reform these institutions and ensure they can meet the challenges of the 21st century.