The United Nations celebrated its 75th birthday on Monday under the theme “the future we want, the United Nations we need”. There is a strong focus on the role of the youth and ensuring the UN remains relevant for future generations. World leaders came together, virtually, as the coronavirus pandemic and economic disruption challenge the UN’s effectiveness and solidarity. Millions of people were forced into lockdown and economies were devastated as COVID-19 began to spread around the globe earlier this year. Now, some countries find themselves facing a second wave and the 193-member UN has struggled to assert itself in the face of a distrustful United States, an assertive China and a growing rivalry between the two.
To take the conversation further we are now joined on the line by:
• Dr Shingai Mangiza-Mutizwa is an independent analyst.
• Sipho Mantula – an independent African analyst.
• Mpho Tsedu CEO at the Institute for Foreign Affairs.
