Malaysia has affirmed its strong support for China’s Global Governance Initiative, viewing it as a crucial step toward restoring trust in the international system.
The price of broken systems
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Meeting in Tianjin, China, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explicitly stated that the initiative is highly relevant, especially given the current strains on multilateralism.
He highlighted a deficit of trust in the international system, citing failures in trade, financial architecture and climate change response as exposing the disconnect between declarations and the suffering of the masses.
According to him, these failures of the current multilateral system have led to a range of negative consequences, including the inability to prevent atrocities, the undermining of international laws and the exacerbation of global crises.
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UN’s eroding credibility
Anwar specifically criticised the United Nations, stating that it “was no longer seen as having the aspiration or will to reform itself, as the gap between ideals and action continued to widen.”
He argued that the gap between the UN’s stated goals and its actual effectiveness has eroded its credibility and hindered its ability to address critical global challenges.
“Between aspirations and realities lies a shadow. It is alarming because it has caused disparity and allowed atrocities to be inflicted with impunity,” the official said, according to Bernama.
Powerless international community
The premier underscored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a prime example of the failure of global institutions, stressing that the killings of civilians are occurring while the international community remains powerless.
“Not only in Gaza and Palestine, they are affecting neighbors from Lebanon to Iran to Iraq. And the international community seems to be somewhat helpless,” he added.
Anwar then called for urgent reform of the global governance structures, encouraging governments and organisations to focus on translating ideals of justice, humanity, compassion and co-operation into concrete action.
The SCO Plus Meeting, chaired by China’s President Xi Jinping, was attended by more than 20 world leaders and 10 heads of international and regional organisations, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres.
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