Authority Without Consensus: Reviving the Convening Authority of the United Nations

Major powers and frustrated coalitions are creating parallel governance frameworks outside the established multilateral system founded on the United Nations (UN) Charter. This paper examines how the UN can engage predictably and productively with such frameworks, be they regional or cross-regional, reclaiming de facto if not de jure its central role in global governance by reviving its convening authority. The paper also proposes a mechanism, convened as needed, to coordinate global responses to major human security challenges, with participation from state and non-state actors. Such innovations that do not require UN Charter amendment could help reposition the UN at the centre of global governance and restore its relevance, legitimacy, and impact. To achieve that, though, the support of key actors, including middle and small powers, as well as a proactive UN Secretary-General and an engaged global public would be required.