UN75 DIALOGUE: THE FUTURE WE WANT, THE UN WE NEED. A MOROCCAN PERSPECTIVE
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), the Policy Center for the New South organized a webinar on August 13, 2020 under the theme: "UN75 Dialogue: The Future We Want, the UN We Need. A Moroccan Perspective". Moderated by Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and former Ambassador of His Majesty to Canada, the speakers shared their visions of the UN’s future, considering the current challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fethi Debbabi, director of the United Nations information centre in Rabat, mentioned the lack of multilateralism that the world has experienced in recent months due to the current health crisis. He considered as contradictory, since international cooperation is needed now more than ever. He also referred to Morocco's very important role in the international community, describing it as a champion of multilateralism.
Mohammed Zakaria Aboudahab, professor of public law and political science at Mohammed V University in Rabat, demonstrated the lack of representation in the Security Council, where Africa, Asia and Latin America were not present as permanent members. Furthermore, he believes that it demonstrates the lack of visibility as well as the absence of a proactive UN. As a result, several emerging challenges are neglected, including cybercrime and climate change.
Badre Alioua, President of the International Commission at the CGEM, sees that a well-managed globalisation will benefit all countries of the world equally. In this sense, he sees that the UN must be rethought in an economic logic to ensure better global governance. The latter will enable it to play its role efficiently and to be more inclusive and responsive to emerging challenges.
On the other hand, Chaimae Bourjij, National Project Coordinator at the Friederich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, perceives that the current crisis calls into question the position of the UN within the international community. This pandemic has also demonstrated the need for global management, which must depend on a strong political leadership.
Mohammed Loulichki, Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and former President of the Security Council, described the will of the UN as one that depends on its member states. For this, the future must focus on peace with the environment and the space we currently live in. It must also encourage member states to erase national egos in order to achieve this universal vision.
In conclusion, El Hassane Zahid, Former Deputy Director at the Directorate of United Nations and International Organizations, recalls that cooperation among member states is necessary to contribute to a better and inclusive future that considers the current challenges.