The world at a crossroads: Maria João Rodrigues on how multilateralism can include everyone

Before he was Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres was prime minister of Portugal; and before she was President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Maria João Rodrigues was Minister for Employment and Education Training in Mr. Guterres’s government, as well as an advisor, and later serving as a Member of European Parliament. In the latest episode of UN Necessary, Ms. Rodrigues regales Nudhara and Dan with tales of pushing former US president Bill Clinton to rethink global governance as just one example of her experiences working for an inclusive multilateral cooperation.

The Summit of the Future process—and efforts at UN reform—can learn from the experience of the European Union, Ms. Rodrigues says. Governments need to coordinate across peace and security, the global climate crisis, social issues, technology and finance, mobilizing all stakeholders, if the world is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Right now the multilateral system is too weak to deal and could splinter—unless it becomes more fair.