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In an increasingly multipolar world, characterized by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and other global challenges, the UN and the multilateral system must be re-energized and refreshed to find solutions to a range of issues, such as climate change and rising inequality between nations, conflict and humanitarian crises in many parts of the world, backsliding in the implementation of the SDG goals, and technological change which could be both transformative and potentially disruptive.

For small states, multilateralism is not an option, but a necessity. In this context, members of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) hosted a presentation of a report and interactive dialogue in partnership with IPI on September 19, 2024. This report serves as a resource and roadmap for small states to work together with all UN members to strengthen the UN and the multilateral system.

The report “Small States and the Future of Multilateralism” is the culmination of a year-long collaborative project involving a series of roundtable discussions among FOSS members. The project, initiated by Singapore, was launched in partnership with the IPI and the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Singapore. Roundtable discussions were supported and led by a group of FOSS members, comprising Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Namibia, New Zealand, Qatar, Samoa, Senegal, and Switzerland.

Welcoming Remarks:
H.E. Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
Adam Lupel, Vice President and COO of the International Peace Institute
H.E. Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN

Opening Remarks:
Message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
H.E. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister, Singapore (pre-recorded)

Speakers:
Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs
H.E. Maritza Chan, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN
H.E. Christian Wenaweser, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the UN
H.E. Pascale Baeriswyl, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN
H.E. Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN
Shamala Kandiah Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, Security Council Report

Related Coverage:
“Small states need to join hands to uphold multilateral system in era of conflict: PM Wong,” The Straits Times, September 20, 2024