The 13th Global Baku Forum on the theme “Bridging Divides in a World in Transition” featured its third panel session titled “The UN 80+.”

The session brought together prominent politicians and experts to engage in discussions regarding the UN reforms and how to make the organization more effective and more responsive to complex global challenges.

Addressing the session, Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), said that the international situation has shifted significantly compared to previous times, adding that the challenges have increased. He also highlighted the intensifying criticism of the UN permanent members, noting that in some cases they become parties to conflicts instead of remaining neutral.

Noting that the UN system consists of a combination of various agencies, programs, specialized bodies and the secretariat, Srgjan Kerim, former Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, President of the 62nd UN General Assembly, mentioned that this diversity is a reflection of strength, not weakness, adding that without effective coordination, there is a risk of duplication and inefficiency.

Volkan Bozkır, former Minister of European Union Affairs of Türkiye, stated that the historical evolution of the UN and the veto right in the Security Council were formed within the interests of global powers.

Miroslav Lajčák, Former Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, underlined that the key issue is that the UN must adapt to become fully equipped and more effectively respond to today’s and tomorrow’s complex global challenges, adding that one of the key points in this regard is to set the right agenda.

Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), underscored that reforming the UN system is not only a technical but also a strategic necessity.

Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said that ensuring global cooperation and a unified approach in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in the UN system is key to making the organization mor effective.