Special Briefing

It has been a hard year at the UN, with major-power tensions rising, and more difficulties likely lie ahead. Nonetheless, there are several important steps the body’s officials and member states can take in the interest of international peace and security.

L’année a été difficile à l’ONU, les tensions entre les grandes puissances se sont accrues et d’autres difficultés sont probablement à venir. Néanmoins, les responsables et les États membres de l’organisation peuvent prendre certaines mesures importantes pour favoriser la paix et la sécurité internationales.

On 19 May, when G7 leaders gather in Japan, Russia’s war in Ukraine will be high on their agenda, as will China’s posture in the Asia Pacific. But several other pressing matters need their attention as well. 

Russia’s war in Ukraine has roiled the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Yet, disruptions notwithstanding, it remains a valuable forum for dialogue between Moscow and the West. Participating states should help it keep playing its important roles, including managing conflict risks.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has dominated UN diplomacy in 2022 to date. It will continue to be high on the agenda, but other matters require urgent attention, too.

Two subjects will likely preoccupy the G7 heads of state when they meet starting 26 June: the war in Ukraine and the related spikes in commodity prices worldwide. The leaders need to show that they will address the economic woes as well as other crises.

Over the past year, the UN’s limitations in preventing deadly conflict have repeatedly been on display. But the world organisation still has several vital roles to play.

Deadly and disruptive as it already is, and terribly as it could yet worsen and spread, the 2020 coronavirus outbreak could also have political effects that last long after the contagion is contained. Crisis Group identifies seven points of particular concern.

La pandémie de Covid-19, déjà mortelle et déstabilisatrice, menace de s'aggraver et pourrait avoir des répercussions politiques durables y compris quand la contagion sera maîtrisée. Crisis Group a identifié sept points de préoccupation majeure.

Mortal y perturbador como ya es, y con el terrible prospecto de empeorar y extenderse, el brote de coronavirus 2020 también podría tener efectos políticos que durarán más allá de la contención del contagio. Crisis Group identifica siete puntos de especial preocupación.