EAM Jaishankar Calls for Strengthened UN Amid Challenges on 80th Anniversary

By A Staff Reporter

Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday addressed a gathering at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, emphasizing the need to strengthen the global body despite its current challenges.

“All is not well with the United Nations. Its decision-making does not reflect its membership or global priorities. Debates are increasingly polarized, reforms are obstructed, and financial constraints are rising,” Jaishankar said, pointing to structural and operational issues that have affected the UN’s credibility.

He highlighted that the UN’s response to terrorism has revealed gaps in effectiveness, while development in the Global South is slowing. “Its response to terrorism exposes credibility gaps, and development in the Global South is slowing,” the minister added.

Despite these challenges, Jaishankar called for optimism and continued engagement. “Yet, on this notable anniversary, we must not abandon hope. Commitment to multilateralism must remain strong, however flawed. The UN must be supported, and our faith in international cooperation renewed,” he said.

He noted that the very act of meeting on this occasion conveys a message of unity and shared purpose, reinforcing India’s support for collaborative global efforts. “Meeting here today sends a message of unity and shared purpose,” Jaishankar concluded.