The Power and Promise of Multilateralism: Reflections on the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
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On April 24, the international community marks the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, a day born out of a growing global consensus on the need for collective approaches to global challenges. First adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2018 through Resolution A/RES/73/127, the day calls on governments, international organizations, and civil society to reaffirm their commitment to the principles of diplomacy, cooperation, and shared responsibility. In 2025, that call resonates more than ever particularly for African nations, whose future is intimately tied to the strength of international solidarity.
Multilateralism: More Than a Numbers Game
At its core, multilateralism is not just a diplomatic configuration where more than two states engage in cooperation. It is a values-driven framework that insists on consultation, inclusion, solidarity, and the rule of law. As the United Nations has reiterated, multilateralism is both a method of cooperation and a system of international organization designed to guarantee equal rights and obligations to all actors whether they are large or small, wealthy or economically developing (United Nations, 2024).
The United Nations: Multilateralism’s Living Framework
Since its founding in 1945 in the ashes of the Second World War, the United Nations has stood as the institutional embodiment of multilateralism. Its Charter a moral compass according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres directs nations to “harmonize actions” in pursuit of peace, justice, and development. Guterres’s 2018 report to the General Assembly emphasized that the Charter remains central in promoting dignity and upholding the international rule of law.
Today, with 193 member states (up from the original 51 in 1945) and over 1,000 NGOs and international organizations holding observer status, the UN remains a dynamic and evolving platform for collective decision-making.
The 2024 Pact for the Future: A Renewed Commitment
The adoption of the Pact for the Future at the 2024 Summit of the Future marked a renewed global commitment to the ideals of multilateralism. Signed by world leaders last September, the Pact underscores the urgency of international cooperation in the face of intensifying global challenges from climate change and pandemics to rising conflict and inequality.
For African countries, this pact carries particular weight. As a continent with 54 UN member states more than any other region Africa is a key player in shaping multilateral norms. The Pact’s focus on sustainable development, human rights, and peace aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a peaceful and prosperous continent anchored in unity and shared prosperity.
Why Multilateralism Matters for Africa in 2025
In 2025, African nations face both vast opportunities and persistent obstacles. From the deepening impacts of climate change and economic inequities to the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African futures are intrinsically linked to global systems. Multilateral cooperation offers African states a platform to influence global decision-making, forge regional alliances, and advocate for fairer trade, climate justice, and inclusive financing.
The UN multilateral system has delivered tangible results for Africa from support for conflict mediation in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, to joint health initiatives that helped curb diseases like Ebola and now bolster COVID-19 recovery. The eradication of smallpox, a global success often cited in UN literature, demonstrates the power of international collaboration. Similar frameworks now support African-led health infrastructure, climate adaptation funds, and educational partnerships.
But multilateralism also empowers African voices. In forums like the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, African nations are able to challenge unfair structures and advocate for reforms that reflect 21st-century realities, not Cold War dynamics. The increasing presence of African diplomats, youth activists, and experts in international institutions is shifting narratives and policy alike.
Diplomacy for Peace: A Necessity, not a Luxury
Preventive diplomacy remains an underappreciated but essential element of the UN’s mission. The Charter commits member states to resolve disputes by peaceful means, and multilateral mechanisms have helped de-escalate tensions across the globe. In Africa, peacekeeping missions and special political envoys deployed through collective agreement have stabilized fragile contexts from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Mali.
Yet, peace is not a static achievement; it requires vigilance, investment, and diplomacy rooted in trust. The High-Level Dialogue on Renewing the Commitment to Multilateralism (October 2018) and subsequent debates have made clear that nations must resist the lure of unilateralism and recommit to shared dialogue, especially in volatile regions.
Raising Public Awareness and Civic Engagement
The 2018 resolution establishing this international day also invites educational and awareness-raising activities. In 2025, as misinformation and populist nationalism threaten to erode public faith in international cooperation, it is more important than ever to communicate what multilateralism delivers. For African civil societies, academia, and media, this means fostering understanding of how global agreements impact local realities—from vaccine equity to climate resilience.
Conclusion: A Time to Reimagine Global Solidarity
Multilateralism is not a panacea. But it remains the most equitable tool the world has to solve problems that transcend borders. For African countries, it represents not just participation but partnership, agency, and shared leadership in building a more just and peaceful global order.
As we mark this year’s International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, let it serve not only as a commemoration but a call to action to reinvigorate the cooperative spirit that binds nations together and ensures that no country, especially those historically marginalized, is left behind.
