United Nations - The Sixteenth Council

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The Last Days of the Nation-State: How Corporations Are Building the Next Global Order

As governments falter under the weight of debt, disruption, and declining legitimacy, corporations are quietly stepping in—not just to influence the global order, but to construct a new one altogether. From private satellite constellations to platform-enforced speech, a corporate architecture of power is emerging with little democratic oversight. This dispatch traces the end of traditional sovereignty and the rise of algorithmic governance—and asks whether the public still governs the public sphere.

Five Nations Elected to the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027

On June 2, 2025, Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the 80th UN General Assembly, becoming the first German and fifth woman in the role. The following day, Bahrain, Colombia, the DRC, Latvia, and Liberia were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2026–2027. Each secured the required two-thirds majority in uncontested elections, reflecting a commitment to diverse and representative global leadership.

Annalena Baerbock Elected UNGA President: A Defining Moment for Global Leadership

On 2 June 2025, Annalena Baerbock, former German Federal Foreign Minister and member of Alliance 90/The Greens, was elected President of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. Her election, secured by 167 votes in a rare secret ballot, marks the first time a German and only the fifth woman has held this role in the UNGA’s 80-year history. Baerbock’s presidency begins amid global conflicts, climate emergencies, and institutional scepticism. With a bold vision prioritising multilateral renewal, SDG acceleration, peace and security, and gender inclusion, Baerbock aims to reinvigorate the General Assembly's relevance. While her past foreign policy positions, particularly on Ukraine, spark debate about her impartiality, her commitment to inclusive diplomacy and reform could help reshape the UN at a critical historical crossroads.

Will the Budget Cuts Cause the End of the UN as We Know It?

The United Nations faces an existential threat as severe budget cuts, particularly from major donors like the U.S., push it toward potential insolvency. Humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, and global development initiatives are already in jeopardy. Without urgent reforms and diversified funding, the UN risks becoming irrelevant at a time when the world needs it most.

Addressing Double Standards and Enhancing Equity in the United Nations Security Council

Many political leaders, writers, and scholars have criticized the work of the international organization, and a number of countries have presented proposals to reform it to be more just, especially expanding the membership of the UN Security Council, abolishing the right of veto