As the UN META initiative launches at the Library of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, we sit down with Dr. Alanna O'Malley, a historian at Leiden University and an expert on the United Nations. She is the author of The Diplomacy of Decolonisation, which explores the role of newly independent nations in shaping the UN since the 1960s.

Dr. O'Malley discusses how, since 1960, the global majority has shifted to the Global South, bringing new ideas—such as the concept of an "invisible union"—into international politics. She highlights the ongoing effort to re-establish the influence of the Global South, drawing on regional archives to gain diverse perspectives on the UN's evolving role, particularly in relation to southern nations.

The UN faces increasing demands with fewer resources, while economic institutions like the IMF and World Bank hold significant influence and are themselves in need of reform. The power vacuum left by fractious relationships between key member states, such as the U.S., has allowed other actors to step in. As history has shown, periods of instability—like this one—are often temporary, but they require vigorous dialogue and serious engagement.

Reflecting on the UN's challenges, Dr. O'Malley acknowledges the exhaustion many will feel after four years of turbulence. Yet, she urges that these discussions be taken seriously to shape a more effective global institution capable of navigating the current turmoil.