Benchmark: A Second United Nations Charter
In addition to the Simma Summa, I've just discovered what looks like a significant benchmark in the field of UN Charter reform. I am talking about A Second United Nations Charter: Modernizing the UN for a New Generation, published in September of 2024 for the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly by the Global Governance Forum (cf. Welcome to the Website of International Economist Augusto Lopez-Claros). According to the Global Governance Forum website,
In the past 12 months, a diverse and experienced cadre of individuals have taken it upon themselves to explore what Charter reform might entail and, in particular, what a new Charter could actually look like. What we have produced is at a minimum an invitation to a much-needed conversation about what a reformed Charter could contain to empower the UN to better confront the myriad challenges of the 21st century.
This visionary civil society document powerfully affirms my faith that I am on the right track with my perception of a collective call to UN Charter reform. From page 7:
The Second Charter as currently drafted is a work in progress. We look forward to the improvements that will come through further consultation, especially benefitting from the wisdom of diverse constituencies around the world. In the meantime, we submit the present iteration for consideration by all interested parties.
What is more, the program of the UN Charter Reform Coalition is consistent with my 2045 timeframe. If anything, the Coalition is on an accelerated trajectory relative to my own, which makes sense, given the Coalition's greater expertise. I need to learn much more about how a Charter Review conference would work, but as I think about the Coalition's timeline, I see two Charter Review conferences ahead: a first conference in 2030 for a preliminary round of amendments, and a second conference in 2045 for a complete second charter. Until I get farther along in the conversation, I don't know whether my initial bifocal impression puts me closer to the conservative or the progressive end of the UN Charter reform spectrum.