United Nations on its 80th anniversary in a multipolar world with a multilateralism at minimums: Gate Analysis, Rafael Grasa.

Rafael Grasa

In March 2026, the United Nations marks eight decades of existence within a deeply fragmented global landscape. Rafael Grasa’s analysis reveals an institution caught in a multidimensional crisis—political, financial, and one of legitimacy—where multilateralism appears to have buckled under the weight of multipolarity and the hegemonic struggle between the United States and China.

A major obstacle to UN effectiveness is the structural asymmetry between its primary organs. While the General Assembly has provided a platform for the Global South, the Security Council remains deadlocked by the veto power of its permanent members, hindering any real management of critical conflicts such as the invasion of Ukraine. Compounding this is a financial race toward bankruptcy: a mere 17 countries provide 82% of the regular budget, an extreme vulnerability that allows major contributors to influence the political agenda by withholding dues.

In this context, reform proposals like “UN80” focus on technical efficiency but avoid necessary systemic changes due to a lack of political consensus. The author argues that the immediate future will be shaped by the selection of the new Secretary-General in late 2026, a process that will serve as a litmus test for international trust in the system. The conclusion is straightforward: to regain relevance, the UN must move beyond theatrical rhetoric and strengthen the General Assembly’s capacity for innovation, seeking tangible victories to restore the confidence of the global public.