UNA Global South — People, Participation and a Renewed United Nations
25 June 2026 · King's College London · Draft for participant review, amendment and vote
Preamble
Recognising that the United Nations was founded on the principle that lasting peace and development must be built on the active participation of all peoples, not only governments,
Acknowledging that communities across the Global South, including diaspora communities living and working in the United Kingdom and beyond, have been systematically underrepresented in international decision-making, despite being among those most affected by its outcomes,
Noting with concern that after eight decades, the gap between the UN's founding ideals and the lived reality of ordinary people remains wide: conflicts persist, wealth is concentrated, and the voices of grassroots communities rarely reach the institutions that shape the world,
Welcoming the emergence of new tools, technologies, and civic networks that offer fresh possibilities for bridging this gap,
Affirming that UNA Global South exists to be a bridge: between diaspora communities and the institutions that represent them; between the Global South and the global governance systems that affect it; and between the next generation of leaders and the platforms they deserve,
The calls
Open the doors of global governance.Create meaningful, structured pathways for diaspora communities and civil society organisations from the Global South to participate in UN processes, not as observers, but as active contributors.
Reform how funding reaches people.Ensure that international development and humanitarian funding reaches grassroots organisations and communities directly, reducing dependence on intermediary structures that absorb resources without accountability, and that the administrative burden placed on small, community-led organisations is proportionate to the resources they receive.
Address the accountability deficit.Strengthen the mechanisms by which UN member states are held accountable for their commitments to human rights, international law, and the protection of civilians.
Embrace the Secretary-General election as a moment of renewal.As the UN prepares to elect a new Secretary-General, we urge member states to choose a leader who will champion the reform of the UN's relationship with civil society and the Global South.
Take AI governance seriously.Establish clear, inclusive frameworks for the governance of artificial intelligence that centre the rights and interests of the Global South, and ensure that the communities whose data and resources are fuelling the AI revolution share in its benefits.