By Dr Bertrand Ramcharan
Former Chief Speech-Writer to the
UN Secretary-General and Seventh Chancellor
of the University of Guyana
The United Nations is the repository of the hopes and aspirations of the peoples of the world, especially in developing countries, for a safe and dignified existence, with equitable life chances, and with respect for their fundamental human rights. The United Nations has never been more important than now, with multiple challenges facing humanity, including climate change, wars, pandemics, shocking violations of human rights, massive displacements of people, and deteriorating living standards across the developing world.