The functions of international organizations are deteriorating in the wake of intense discord between the United States and China. If the two major powers persist in putting their own countries first, further weakening is inevitable. This is a worrying situation.
Many countries are focusing on combating the spread of infections of the novel coronavirus and supporting their economies. The role of the state is ever more important; the public's attention is focused on their government's response to the crisis. The importance of international cooperation tends to be overlooked.
At a recent general meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), instead of the promotion of cooperation in infectious disease control and vaccine development, the U.S.-China blame game was conspicuous: An indication that the WHO is caught up in the vortex of international politics.
The functions of the United Nations Security Council have also lapsed into a state that is tantamount to a breakdown.
Amid concern over the spread of infections in conflict zones, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire among parties. The Security Council is aiming to adopt a resolution supporting the calls for a ceasefire, but the confrontation between Washington and Beijing, both of which have a veto, have brought the move to a standstill.
It is worth remembering that the United Nations was established in the wake of the devastation caused by two world wars, and that it supports the maintenance of peace and international cooperation. By achieving cooperation beyond the framework of states, the WHO is also indispensable for dealing with infectious diseases that threaten humanity as a whole.
It goes without saying that the United Nations and its specialized agencies must operate from a neutral standpoint. In reality, however, these entities have no choice but to take into consideration the intentions of major powers, which contribute a large amount of funds and have political influence.
That is why major powers have a responsibility to ensure that international organizations function effectively. The fact that neither the United States nor China recognizes their roles and sees each organization only as a tool for their own interests may be the cause of the current instability.
U.S. President Donald Trump insists that the multilateral framework undermines U.S. interests. He has announced that the United States will withdraw from the WHO as it has not implemented the reforms that he wants. There are problems within international organizations such as bureaucracy and inefficiency, but to deny even the significance of their existence is hard to understand.
What is worrisome is that China will increase its voice as the United States decreases its involvement. China leads the group of developing countries in the United Nations, which includes more than 130 countries. In an international organization that is based on the principle of "one country, one vote," the power of numbers is significant.
China's response to the coronavirus has again made something clear: With its disregard of such values as freedom, human rights and the rule of law, the nation cannot win the trust of the international community. It is inconceivable that it could replace the United States as the world leader.
With no leading force, international organizations will continue to be in a state of instability for the time being. Japan, Britain, France and Germany, among other countries, must unite to fill in the gaps as best they can.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on May 31, 2020
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