Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, has launched a scathing critique of the prevailing world order, branding it a 'rules-based international dis-order'. In a powerful address that resonated with many developing nations, he argued that the current system is designed to perpetuate the dominance of a select few powerful states at the expense of global justice and equity.
A World Order Designed for the Powerful
Ambassador Akram did not mince words in his assessment. He stated that the so-called 'rules-based order' is, in reality, a disorderly system where might makes right. He pointed out that this framework is selectively applied, often bypassing the established principles of the United Nations Charter and international law when it suits the interests of the powerful. The core of his argument was that this system is inherently unjust and unsustainable, creating a world of haves and have-nots where the weak are consistently marginalized.
The veteran diplomat highlighted several glaring examples to support his claim. He emphasized that the international community's failure to act decisively in the face of blatant aggression and human suffering exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of the system. According to Akram, the pursuit of narrow national interests consistently trumps the collective responsibility to uphold peace and human rights.
Case Studies of Systemic Failure: Gaza and Kashmir
Munir Akram pointed to specific crises as clear evidence of the global system's breakdown. He cited the ongoing situation in Gaza as a prime example, where prolonged conflict and immense human suffering have not prompted the decisive international action mandated by the UN Charter. This, he argued, demonstrates how geopolitical considerations can paralyze the mechanisms meant to protect civilians and ensure peace.
Closer to home, Ambassador Akram turned the spotlight on the long-standing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan's position that the people of Kashmir have been denied their inalienable right to self-determination, as promised by numerous UN Security Council resolutions. He framed the Kashmir issue not just as a bilateral dispute, but as a litmus test for the international community's commitment to its own principles. The inability to resolve this decades-old conflict, he suggested, is a symptom of the larger 'disorder' where power politics override legal and moral obligations.
The Broader Implications: Climate and Economic Justice
Ambassador Akram's critique extended beyond geopolitical conflicts to encompass global challenges like climate change and economic inequality. He connected the dots, arguing that the same power asymmetries that prevent conflict resolution also hinder cooperative action on climate justice. Developed nations, historically the largest emitters, often fail to meet their commitments on finance and technology transfer to help vulnerable countries like Pakistan adapt, despite bearing the brunt of climate-induced disasters.
He called for a fundamental reform of international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, to make them more democratic, representative, and effective. A truly rules-based order, he contended, must be rooted in the universal and consistent application of international law, not its selective enforcement. This new order should prioritize the interests of all humanity, particularly the developing world, and address critical issues from debt relief to fair trade.
In conclusion, Ambassador Munir Akram's speech serves as a stark reminder from Pakistan's perspective. It challenges the comfortable narrative of a functioning global system and calls for a genuine international order based on justice, equality, and the sovereign equality of all states—a vision that remains elusive in today's world of 'rules-based international dis-order'.
