Seventy Years On: Sixteen Nations Reflect on the Future of the United Nations at ECOSOC
- Olga Nesterova
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Sixteen nations marking the 70th anniversary of their admission to the United Nations convened a high-level diplomatic event at the UN’s ECOSOC Chamber, gathering ambassadors, experts, students, and civil society to re-examine the future of multilateralism at a moment of profound global volatility.
Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Italy — itself celebrating 70 years of UN membership — the event brought together representatives from Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Finland, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Libya, Nepal, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Hungary. All joined the UN in 1955, a year defined by geopolitical compromise and the early tensions of the Cold War.
Moderated by Reuters correspondent Michelle Nichols, the session featured policy experts Ambassador Martin Kimani (Africa Center), Minh-Thu Pham (Carnegie Endowment), and Richard Gowan (International Crisis Group). Their discussion with ambassadors was candid, substantive, and at times blunt — a rarity in multilateral forums that often default to cautious language.
A Moment of Reckoning for Multilateralism
Opening the event, Ambassador Maurizio Massari of Italy, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, reflected on the shared legacy of the 1955 cohort:
“We are 16 diverse countries that joined the UN as the result of a compromise among major powers in the post-war bipolar balance, but we have demonstrated a shared and still very relevant vision regarding the enduring importance of the United Nations, the Charter, and multilateralism.”
Speakers explored the challenges facing the UN ahead of the UN80 Initiative launched by Secretary-General António Guterres — an effort to streamline structures, reduce costs, and modernize the decades-old system.
They highlighted three core themes: reform, technology, and generational renewal.
Minh-Thu Pham pointed to the stalled pandemic accord as a reminder of how hard institutional reforms can be.
But the UN’s biggest test, she argued, is existential:
“There is a question mark today: do we still share the fundamental values of the UN Charter? If the answer is no, that is the erosion of the UN.”
Pham urged member states to confront “the elephants in the room,” including:
Whether nations still agree on the basic norms of the Charter
The importance of selecting a Secretary-General who will uphold those norms, not become “just another voice”
The obligation of all states to meet their basic commitments, including paying dues
Diplomats Call for Renewal — and Courage
Permanent Representatives of the 16 nations delivered short interventions that underscored the urgency of the current moment — and a shared reliance on the UN Charter as the anchor of global order.
Albania called on nations to “find new ways of working together, especially when they disagree,” noting that selective application of the Charter leads to catastrophe.
Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations, emphasized that multilateral cooperation has prevented wars and must be preserved:
“The UN was founded for moments as tumultuous as today.”
Hungary questioned the UN’s ability to remain visible and relevant, pressing experts on how to realistically manage great-power confrontation.
Italy voiced concern about the widening gap between expectations placed on the UN and the responsibilities member states are willing to assume.
Romania, invoking its own history of authoritarianism, stressed that the Charter remains a safeguard:
“What we face around the world is testimony to this. The next eight years will be much more challenging.”
Spain raised the tension between the Charter and contemporary crises like Ukraine, while Portugal asked a pointed question:
“How do we overcome the lack of trust?”
Sri Lanka highlighted the importance of starting from first principles — disarmament, law of the sea, and the Charter — and asked how long it would take “to bring nations together.”
Finland reflected on joining the UN shortly after “years of danger,” noting that the acquisition of membership fundamentally shaped its foreign policy identity.
What the UN Must Confront to Survive
The speakers offered unfiltered reflections on what the institution must do to endure the pressures of 2026 — a year Richard Gowan described as “transformational.”
Gowan warned that the UN may need to “give up on things” to remain viable amid political and financial constraints, and cautioned against reflexively firing staff to satisfy austerity demands:
“The UN doesn’t change the world — the world changes the UN.”
Ambassador Martin Kimani, known for his clarity and candor, challenged diplomats directly:
“PRs must take command. If leaders are underwhelming, let them go. Ensure the UN is led by the best people.”
He urged non-permanent members of the Security Council to be bold, not merely aligned with major powers, and to engage issues beyond their own regions.
The Next Generation Steps In
In a unique moment, high-school students attending the event were invited to ask the panelists a question: “What can young people do to strengthen multilateralism?”
The chamber erupted into applause when moderator Michelle Nichols asked whether the UN should finally appoint its first female Secretary-General.
Pham told the students that mediation — the ability to bring people together — remains the UN’s unique value. Gowan added:
“If you learn to love the world, you will learn to love the UN.”
Commemorations: A Stamp, A Digital Archive, and a Tribute to 70 Years of Engagement
The event also featured the unveiling of a special UN-issued commemorative stamp marking the 70th anniversary. A digital exhibition, developed with the support of Italy’s news agency ANSA, showcased rare historical photographs of the 16 countries’ contributions across the decades — a visual reminder of the endurance of multilateral diplomacy.
Italy’s Broader 70th Anniversary Celebrations
The Italian Mission released a detailed statement marking the anniversary of Italy’s own accession to the UN on 14 December 1955. Italy — now a seven-term Security Council member and one of the world’s largest peacekeeping contributors — organized a series of events throughout the year, including:
Republic Day at UN Headquarters (500+ attendees)
The exhibition “Shared Life, Shared Future”, inaugurated by Secretary-General Guterres
A book and exhibit on Italy’s peacekeeping operations
An Italian Cuisine Week celebration in the UN General Assembly Hall
A digital exhibition of archival photos
A suite of events sponsored by leading Italian companies, from ENI to Ferrero to Illy
The Mission emphasized Italy’s continued commitment to peace, human rights, humanitarian action, and sustainable development — the pillars of its seven decades at the UN.
A Shared Message: Come Together — and Listen
Across speeches, expert interventions, and student questions, one theme dominated: the UN Charter is the foundation that still binds nations together. As crises multiply and consensus frays, diplomats acknowledged both the fragility and necessity of the multilateral system.
The takeaway was clear — and unusually honest:
Nations must recommit to the Charter’s principles
Diplomats must be bold
The next Secretary-General must defend neutrality and integrity
Member states must listen to one another, not just speak
And the UN must adapt without losing its core purpose
Seventy years after these 16 nations joined the United Nations, their message is one of realism, urgency, and cautious hope: multilateralism is difficult — but the cost of paralysis is far greater.
