UN like ‘old company’, not aligning with new markets: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a critical remark on Sunday, described the United Nations as an “old company,” not fully adapting to the changing global market. He noted that the UN has failed to act on key issues, leading countries to take their own initiatives.

Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, Jaishankar pointed out that there are two major conflicts going on in the world today, with the UN merely standing by as a spectator. According to him, the UN, which was established in 1945 after World War II, has fallen behind the times. Jaishankar remarked, “The UN today is like an old company, not entirely keeping up with the market but still occupying its space.”

Jaishankar cited the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, where the UN’s role was minimal, and countries had to come up with their own strategies. Similarly, in the current global scenario, nations are banding together to address post-pandemic challenges, such as through initiatives like Covax.

He further mentioned initiatives like the India-MiddleEast-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the QUAD, highlighting how countries are collaborating outside the UN framework. These efforts, along with organizations like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), show a growing trend of non-UN spaces becoming more active in addressing global issues.

Raising concerns about the UN’s relevance, Jaishankar said, “The UN will continue, but an increasingly active non-UN space is emerging, and that should be a warning sign for the organization.”

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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