The United Nations celebrated its 80th anniversary this week. The spurt of articles seeking to project the organisation as the only panacea for mankind betrayed a sense of anxiety about its future. Ban Ki-Moon, former UN Secretary General, reminisced about how the organisation saved the lives of his family during the Korean War of 1950-53 and grimly reminded that while celebrating its accomplishments, “we must also ensure it is fit for purpose in the 21st century”. Reform of the multilateral system is urgent and overdue, he cautioned.

This anxiety is justified. Ban Ki-Moon talked about how the newly formed multilateral body successfully navigated the Korean War. However, this week, October 29 to be precise, marked another important event in the UN’s history. As the organisation turned 11

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