The United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) is a proposed body that would represent the global citizenry within the United Nations framework. Unlike the current UN General Assembly, where member states are represented by their governments, the UNPA would allow direct representation of the people, giving a voice to citizens worldwide in global decision-making. This assembly aims to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the UN, making it more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of people across the globe.

The UNPA is crucial for democratizing global governance, ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard in the international arena. By providing direct representation, the UNPA would enhance the legitimacy and accountability of the United Nations, helping to address global challenges more effectively.

The UNPA could take several forms, each with varying degrees of power and influence:

Consultative Body: Initially, the UNPA could be established as a consultative body with the authority to advise the UN General Assembly and other UN organs. This would allow it to gradually build legitimacy and influence without challenging the existing power structures.

Legislative Body: Over time, the UNPA could evolve into a legislative body with the power to propose, amend, and vote on global policies and resolutions. This would make the UNPA a central part of the global governance system, directly influencing international law and regulations.

Hybrid Model: The UNPA could also adopt a hybrid model, where it serves both consultative and legislative functions. This model would allow it to provide advice on certain issues while having binding decision-making power on others, depending on the level of global consensus and the maturity of the assembly.

While World Federalists do not have a common defined version of a UNPA, they all agree on the need for greater representation of the global population in world affairs. Each of these forms represents a step toward a more democratic and inclusive UN, ensuring that the voices of the world's citizens are heard in global governance.

Establishing the UNPA would require a resolution by the UN General Assembly, supported by a coalition of member states and civil society organizations. The process would involve negotiating the assembly's structure, powers, and membership, potentially starting with a pilot project or a smaller, regional assembly before scaling up to a global level.

Several challenges exist in creating a UNPA, including political resistance from member states, logistical hurdles in organizing a global election, and questions about the assembly's legal authority. Addressing these challenges requires strong advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic planning.

WFM-Canada is leading a campaign to request an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) through the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the limitations of the veto power in the UN Security Council (UNSC). This initiative aims to challenge the legality of vetoes used to block resolutions addressing atrocity crimes, such as genocide and crimes against humanity.

The veto power of the UNSC's five permanent members (P5) has long been controversial, often used to protect national interests rather than uphold international peace and security. WFM-Canada’s proposal focuses on cases where the veto is used to shield states from accountability for serious international crimes, arguing that such use may violate international law, particularly peremptory norms.

An ICJ Advisory Opinion confirming the illegality of certain vetoes could have far-reaching consequences, potentially rendering such vetoes null and void under international law. This would be a significant step toward making the UNSC more democratic and effective, ensuring that it upholds its responsibility to maintain international peace and security.

Legal Limits: The campaign asserts that international law, including the UN Charter and treaties like the Genocide Convention, imposes limits on the veto power, especially in cases involving atrocity crimes.

Democratic Integrity: By curbing the misuse of the veto, the initiative seeks to restore trust in the UNSC and enhance the UN’s ability to fulfill its mandate.

Global Support: There is widespread discontent with veto misuse. This campaign aims to harness global support to push for accountability at the UN.

Join WFM-Canada in advocating for this critical initiative by signing petitions and sharing our advocacy materials to spread awareness.

You can also send us an email at comms@wfmcanada.org to support our grassroots campaigning efforts. Help us contact MPs to get more representatives in the Canadian government supporting a more accountable and just UN for all.

C4UN is a global network of civil society organizations and experts advocating for a more effective and inclusive United Nations. C4UN aims to push forward essential reforms that enhance the UN's ability to address global challenges, promote peace, and protect human rights. By uniting diverse voices, the coalition works to ensure that the UN evolves to meet the needs of all people worldwide.

Individuals and organizations can get involved with C4UN by participating in advocacy campaigns, joining working groups, and contributing to policy discussions. C4UN offers various opportunities to engage with its efforts, from signing petitions to attending global webinars and forums. By joining C4UN, you can help shape the future of global governance.

The World Federalist Conference is an annual gathering that brings together scholars, activists, and policymakers dedicated to promoting world federalism. The conference serves as a platform for discussing strategies to advance global governance, strengthen international institutions, and advocate for a peaceful, democratic world order. Attendees share ideas, build networks, and collaborate on initiatives to foster a more just and united global community.

Attendees can expect engaging panels, interactive workshops, and opportunities for networking with like-minded individuals.

You can also register as a delegate to participate in the Model UNPA.

Stay tuned for details on speakers, topics, and how to register for this essential gathering of global governance advocates.