UN Day 2024: Strengthened Multilateralism Critical for Preserving Peace and Stability

Podgorica, Montenegro - 24 October 2024

With global challenges growing more interconnected, the recently adopted Pact for the Future by the UN General Assembly underscores multilateralism as its guiding principle. This was central message at this year's UN Day celebration hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ervin Ibrahimović.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Diego Zorrilla emphasized that in the face of growing global challenges, United Nations remain moral compass which the world needs.

“The world needs more UN, not less UN, in order to adequately respond to the current challenges. The Pact for the Future calls for reinforced multilateralism, including reform of the international financial system and the UN Security Council. As a result, this groundbreaking international agreement was adopted by the member states as a roadmap for a new era of global cooperation,“ said Zorrilla, highlighting that Montenegro has a lot to offer in this regard. 

"Through active participation in numerous international initiatives, Montenegro has proven its commitment to multilateralism and I have no doubt that it will actively contribute to the realization of the Pact for the Future, primarily through the EU accession process which covers a large part of the Agenda for Sustainable Development," said Zorrilla.

In a world increasingly shaped by shared risks – ranging from climate change and conflict to economic instability – the Pact calls for unified action, clearly recognizing that no single nation can address these issues alone. 

Montenegro's Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ervin Ibrahimović, highlighted the country’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation, emphasizing the critical role of the United Nations in strengthening multilateralism. 

“The world is facing a series of complex challenges, which is why the United Nations and strengthened multilateralism have a crucial role to play in ensuring peace and protecting international law,“ said Ibrahimović voicing support for the UN Secretary-General’s “New Agenda for Peace” which focuses on conflict prevention and diplomacy. 

He reminded that Montenegro aims to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member from 2026-2027 to contribute to global peace and incorporate the perspective of smaller nations in decision-making. “Montenegro’s work on achieving Sustainable Development Goals is greatly aligned with its European Union ambitions, promoting social inclusion and environmental protection, which are essential for regional peace and resilience against destabilizing policies,“ Ibrahimović added.