Macron, int'l organizations defend multilateralism

In a declaration published at the end of the first day of the Paris Peace Forum, French President Emmanuel Macron and head figures from international organizations appealed to "promote a rules-based international order."

"In a context of challenges to multilateralism, we reaffirm our commitment to existing international organizations as well as our determination to allow them to be even more representative of the international community and shared values," wrote Macron and the heads of international organizations in a joint statement published at the end of the first day of the Paris Peace Forum which opened Sunday.

Signed by Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay, Secretary General of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)Angel Gurria, President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde and Director General of the International Labor Organization Guy Ryder, the text called for international governance founded on regulation and reinforced by strong multilateral institutions.

"International organizations continue to offer a platform on which member states, regional institutions and organizations, cities and civil society can evoke potential solutions to global problems that each state could not resolve alone. Collaboration on a multilateral level is not optional: it's the only solution possible," pleaded the signatories.

"If we want to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development, we must invest ourselves in strong collective action and improve our collaboration and our partnerships, especially with the world of business, social partners, financial institutions, civil society and regional and sub-regional organizations," they wrote.

"The credibility of the multilateral system comes through a high level of coordination between international organizations and through their ability to reform themselves and respect their missions, with member states providing the political support and appropriate resources necessary for their work," they added.

The inaugural edition of the Paris Peace Forum, organized in the framework of centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War, is bringing together the representatives of 84 countries and international organizations for three days in the French capital. U.S. President Donald Trump is not participating.