Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and colleagues,
It is both an honor and a responsibility to address you today as we face one of the greatest challenges of our time: the erosion of trust in international governance.
Trust, once lost, is difficult to regain. Yet without it, we cannot hope to address the global crises that transcend borders. Today’s “new normal” is marked by wars, destruction, misuse of AI, disregard for international law, climate disasters, economic and social instability, and unsustainable development.
Around the world, citizens are losing faith—not only in their national institutions, but in our collective ability to deliver solutions that are credible, just, fair, and sustainable in facing our societal challenges.
How, then, can we rebuild that trust? I believe the solution lies in two key areas: parliamentary assemblies and strengthening citizen accountability and engagement in global governance.
First, parliamentary assemblies are crucial in reconnecting global governance with the everyday lives of people. These bodies serve as a bridge between citizens and the multilateral institutions that shape the rules of our world. When functioning effectively, they ensure that the voices of all—especially the marginalized and underrepresented—are heard at the global table.
However, representation alone is not enough. We must demand greater transparency and oversight in global decision-making processes. Parliamentary bodies have a responsibility to scrutinize the policies of international organizations, to ask hard questions, and to hold these institutions accountable. Without such oversight, the gap between citizens and international governance will only widen.
Secondly, to reinforce accountability to citizens, we must create systems where people feel their voices matter. This means fostering civic engagement not only at the national level but also at regional and global levels.
Women and youth must be empowered to step up in the process with no hesitation.
Mechanisms like public consultations and formal assessments bring global decisions closer to the local context. Citizens must not only be informed about international decisions but also have a stake in shaping them.
Beyond engagement, we need robust monitoring and reporting systems—systems that allow citizens to track the implementation of global agreements. Signing treaties, making commitments, and delivering speeches are not enough. We must ensure that there are mechanisms for national and international bodies to report back to their citizens on achievements and, crucially, where we have fallen short.
We need democratic systems in action, not just in writing or collection of votes that are not followed by tangible achievements.
Moreover, we cannot ignore the growing role of AI in our systems and our lives. We must stand together to say no to its manipulative and malicious use, which can harm us. A Global AI Compact is a solution if it is credibly implemented and enforced.
Empowering citizens through enhanced brain capital—via education and skills development—is vital for accountability. Citizens must be equipped with the knowledge and brain skills to understand how global governance impacts their lives and how they can hold their leaders accountable and how they can tackle toxic use of AI. This is not just about collecting votes; it is about delivering results and demonstrating achievements.
Ignorance breeds distrust and leaves people vulnerable to manipulation, but knowledge fosters engagement, empowerment, and responsibility.
As we discuss trust, we must also acknowledge that reform is necessary. Our institutions must be reformed to be more transparent, more inclusive, more accessible, and more accountable. This is not about tearing down what has been built but ensuring that these structures work for everyone, not just the privileged few.
We must support the creation of cross-national parliamentary cooperation, allowing nations to work together in a legislative context to ensure coherence in addressing global challenges. Such forums enable us to share best practices and, more importantly, stand united in our commitment to the values that underpin the international system we aspire to build—a system that works for all people.
Finally, trust is built through transparency. We cannot ask citizens to trust institutions they cannot see into. Decision-making must be transparent, open to scrutiny, and grounded in fairness and equity—ensuring that the voices of small states and developing nations carry as much weight as those of more powerful nations.
Restoring trust in international governance is not just a task for global leaders—it is a task for every one of us. We must commit to building systems that are just, accountable, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable recognizing that trust is not given—it is earned.
Thank you.
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This speech was delivered at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, during the Summit of the Future at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Find out the full session at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1x/k1xqgob0sr
