The United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year – at a time when multilateralism is under strain, geopolitical tensions are escalating and the urgency of sustainable development has never been greater. The international community stands at a critical crossroads. 

To discuss this important moment, we invited four distinguished scholars to reflect on the UN's legacy, assess its current pressing challenges and explore pathways for its future.

These experts agreed that the UN remains an essential platform for global dialogue, but must undergo reform to better address shared challenges. There is a shared call to reinvigorate multilateral cooperation, amplify the voice of the Global South and safeguard the multilateral trading system in building a sustainable future.