Future Tense A turning point for the United Nations
Jul 10, 2025
Chris Ogden, an Associate Professor and Global Studies Director, discusses how U.S. Republican efforts threaten UN funding and its influence. Eugene Chen, a Senior Fellow at NYU, highlights the UN's liquidity crisis exacerbated by funding cuts from both the U.S. and China. Richard Gowan, Director of UN Affairs, raises the issue of bureaucratic inefficiency while proposing reforms needed for sustainable change. The conversation reveals a complex geopolitical landscape where the UN's future hinges on financial stability and the ability to adapt to global shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
UN Facing A Genuine Turning Point
- The UN faces a real, potentially existential crisis at its 80th anniversary.
- Its relevance and structure must change or it will look very different soon.
US Skepticism Toward Multilateralism
- The Trump administration's pattern is to prioritise national sovereignty over multilateral institutions.
- That increases the risk of the US withdrawing or defunding UN bodies.
Treat Funding Threats As Political Signals
- Recognise financial politics drive many withdrawal pushes and plan responses accordingly.
- Pressure points like funding and perceived bias should be countered strategically by diplomacy.