高大伟 David Gosset

法国里昂商学院 高级顾问

法国里昂商学院美好商业中心 学术委员会成员

中欧美全球倡议发起人

《中国与世界》三卷书主编

“灵感”系列发起人

法国里昂商学院高级顾问，全球事务专家、汉学家，中欧美全球倡议发起人，《中国与世界》三卷书主编，“灵感”系列发起人，该系列书籍旨在向世界介绍中国。

Peace is never granted but must always be built anew, through an unending effort that begins in the depths of our conscience and resonates in the public sphere.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has always represented an important moment in world affairs. Each September, leaders from around the globe gather in New York to deliberate on peace, security, and human dignity. But this year, on September 22, the Assembly will carry a special weight: the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary. At a time of mounting global crises and disruptions, this milestone is not simply a commemoration but a call to action.

The mood is somber. The United Nations, a body that for decades has embodied the aspiration of nations to solve disputes peacefully and to protect human rights, is itself under serious strain. This fragility is not merely an internal weakness—it reflects the fractured state of our world. What generations of visionaries, diplomats, and ordinary citizens built over decades, what was even imagined in the writings of philosophers centuries ago, now stands at risk of erosion.

The threats are real and at least threefold. First, the UN struggles with financial scarcity. Its budget, already stretched thin, is perpetually underfunded. While vast sums are allocated every year for military spending, the institution designed to prevent war constantly faces uncertainty about how to sustain its most basic functions. This imbalance reveals a moral contradiction in global priorities.

Second, the authority of international law—the very heart of the United Nations—is weakening. In a world where brute force increasingly dominates diplomacy, agreements and norms lose credibility. When the strong act without consequence, the rules-based international order falters, leaving smaller and weaker nations exposed.

Third, the political stance of the United States, historically a cornerstone of the UN, has further destabilized the institution. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, Washington often marginalized or openly undermined the UN. While America once played a leading role in its creation, its recent distance deprives the organization of critical leadership and support.

In light of these challenges, the responsibility of true peacemakers becomes urgent. It is intolerable that governments can endlessly finance weapons yet plead poverty when it comes to supporting the UN. Law—whether national or international—is humanity's best defense against barbarism. To let multilateralism collapse would be to abandon the lessons of history and to risk returning to an age of chaos.

The warning of history is clear. The League of Nations, born after the First World War, was weakened from the outset by U.S. isolationism. Its progressive irrelevance in the 1930s coincided with the rise of aggression and, ultimately, the outbreak of the Second World War. If today's leaders allow the UN to decline in the same way, they may open the door to comparable catastrophes.

Yet there are also grounds for hope. In today's fragile international community, several forces can contribute to the renewal of the UN.

First, China has positioned itself as a strong supporter of the institution. President Xi Jinping's recent announcement of a Global Governance Initiative demonstrates Beijing's intention to engage constructively with multilateral structures. If the European Union and China can coordinate their efforts, they may not only preserve the UN but also reinvent it for a new era. Their cooperation could serve as a stabilizing force at a time when other powers hesitate.

Second, the rise of artificial intelligence poses a global challenge no single nation can address alone. From economic disruption to questions of ethics and security, AI calls for a framework of international governance. The UN is uniquely positioned to host these discussions and help humanity manage the risks and opportunities of disruptive technologies. Just as it once shaped global conventions on nuclear control, disarmament, human rights, and climate change, it can now provide a platform for responsible innovation.

Third, global civil society remains a vital reservoir of energy and legitimacy. Millions of activists, NGOs, and engaged citizens around the world keep the ideals of the UN alive. They are its best guardians, holding governments accountable and reminding leaders that peace, justice, and cooperation are demands from the people, not merely diplomatic slogans.

The pursuit of peace, and indeed progress, is never complete. Unlike a military campaign, it has no final victory or definitive defeat. It is a constant movement, both material advancement and spiritual elevation. Anniversaries like this one are milestones, but they are never endpoints. At 80, the United Nations embodies both the fragility of human institutions and the enduring strength of human aspiration.

The question is not whether the United Nations is perfect—it is not—but whether the world can afford to lose it. The answer is clear: in an era of weapons proliferation, geopolitical danger, environmental peril, and technological upheaval, humanity cannot survive without a framework for dialogue and law. The UN's anniversary is therefore not merely an occasion for ceremony. It is an urgent reminder that peace is never granted but must always be built anew, through an unending effort that begins in the depths of our conscience and resonates in the public sphere.