In 1954, UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld wrote in his diary: “Blood, grime, sweat, earth—where are these in your world of will? Everywhere—the ground from which the flame ascends straight upwards.” Instead of aggression, the UN Charter highlights the sovereign equality of all states, collective measures, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law as concepts crucial for effective multilateralism. Nevertheless, the international community is divided on the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine – a breach of the principles and norms of international law by a permanent member of the UN Security Council. What is the way forward? How can we protect the fundamental values of the United Nations Charter? Can justice be restored? Ultimately – can the UN be reformed?
Richard Gowan, Director of the International Crisis Group at the United Nations
Regis Brillat, Senior Advisor for the follow-up of the 4th Summit of the Council of Europe DGI Human Rights and Rule of Law
Dr Vaira Vīķe Freiberga, Former President of the Republic of Latvia
María Fernanda Espinosa, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and 73rd President of the United Nations General Assembly
Moderator: Dr Gunda Reire, Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia