What is the United Nations for?

The United Nations convenes for its 81st General Assembly next week amid turmoil around the world that it seeks to bring together. The conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza, and the US, China and Russia's undermining of the rules-based international order cast a shadow over UNGA. Can the organization renew itself for a dangerous multipolar world? Or is it doomed to the same fate as the League of Nations?

Bronwen Maddox discusses the UN's present and future with Heather Hurlburt, associate fellow with our US and North America Programme; Marc Weller, head of our Global Governance and Security Centre; and Zizette Darkazally, associate fellow with our Middle East and North Africa Programme.

Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell.

Explore Chatham House's latest:

Research paper| What Haitians want from the next phase of UN and international support

Comment | Can the UN close the global AI gap? 

Policy paper | What the Burnham government should do in its foreign policy

Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue

Audio | Africa Aware🎧

Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧

Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.