Published September 2019
A resolute resolution for multilateralism - a perspective from International Geneva
By Michael Møller

Michael Møller served as Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva between November 2013 and June 2019. He has 40 years of experience as an international civil servant in the UN System, serving in different roles in New York, Iran, Mexico, Haiti and Switzerland. Prior to his tenure as Director-General, he was the Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation from 2008 to 2011.

Earlier this year the global community marked the first International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, celebrated on 24 April. Some may question the need for another International Day of this kind, especially considering we already observe the International Day of Peace (21 September) and United Nations Day (24 October); two moments to reinforce the ideals and principles of the organisation. For those who ponder the relevance of a day devoted to multilateralism and diplomacy, I would invite them to take just a minute to flip or thumb through their favourite newspaper or social media newsfeed.