Manifesto for the Overdue Reform of the UN

For my son Vincent, born on 23 May 1994— a day shared with visionaries like Carl Linnaeus (botanist, systematizer, classifier), Anatoly Karpov (World Chess Champion, UNESCO Ambassador, advocate for disarmament and dialogue, and builder of bridges), and Ryan Coogler (director and co-writer of Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) and its sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)), Susan E. Rice (*1964, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor under President Obama 2009–2017, known for her role in multilateral diplomacy and global peace efforts.
May your journey be guided by curiosity, creativity, and peace.

As we reflect on the state of our world and the urgent need for reform in our global institutions, this article is dedicated to you, Vincent. May it inspire you and your generation to strive for a more just and peaceful future.

1. Abolish or Restrict the Veto Power in the Security Council
The veto right has blocked resolutions on the most urgent conflicts for decades (e.g., Syria, Ukraine, Israel/Palestine). Reform proposals include: limiting vetoes in cases of mass atrocities (genocide, war crimes), or automatic suspension of veto use when there’s a conflict of interest.

2. Democratize the General Assembly
Czempiel advocated for a stronger role of a democratically legitimized “World Citizens’ Chamber” or a “Parliamentary Assembly at the UN”. Civil society organizations (NGOs) should also be granted greater influence in decision-making.

3. Strengthen the UN Secretariat for Peacekeeping
The executive powers of the UN Secretary-General must be reinforced. Peace missions require clear mandates, sufficient funding, and a permanent rapid deployment force under UN command.

4. Expand Conflict Prevention and Civilian Instruments
Early warning systems, mediation, peacebuilding, and peace education should be granted a dedicated department with its own budget and voting rights.

5. Ensure Fair Representation in the Security Council
More seats for the Global South, especially Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. No nation should hold permanent privileges indefinitely.

6. Establish Fair and Independent UN Financing
Czempiel and others called for independent UN financing through global levies (e.g., financial transaction taxes, carbon emissions, arms exports) rather than arbitrary national contributions.

7. Uphold International Law Over Power Politics
A reformed system of international jurisdiction and a stronger International Criminal Court (ICC) are essential to ensure justice and sustainable peace.

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Key Publications and Debates on UN Reform Since 1996

• Ernst-Otto Czempiel: Reform of the UN. Necessary and Possible. (Suhrkamp, 1994; updated 2000)
• Boutros Boutros-Ghali: An Agenda for Peace (1992), An Agenda for Democratization (1996)
• Kofi Annan: In Larger Freedom (2005) – major reform proposal to the UN General Assembly
• High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change (2004): A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility
• Global Policy Forum: Extensive critical analysis on UN reform – https://www.globalpolicy.org
• UN 2020 & Stimson Center: UN75: A Global Governance Innovation Report (2020)
• Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS): https://acuns.org

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Final Thought

The United Nations was born in 1945 as a beacon of hope for a new world order. 80 years later, it faces existential fragmentation. If we fail to revive Czempiel’s vision, humanity may lose its chance for a just and multilateral future.

Now is the time to not only think about reforming the UN – but to actually do it.

Let’s use the occasion of the International Day for Multilateral Diplomacy for Peace on 24 May 2025 to call for the renewal of the United Nations – in the spirit of Kant, Czempiel, and all who still believe in peace through justice.

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