Former Senegal President Macky Sall called for comprehensive United Nations reform and a renewed focus on development during a forum in South Korea.
These proposals aim to rebuild global trust in the UN system at a time when the world is increasingly fragmented. Sall said the organization must evolve to better support the economic goals of poorer nations to remain relevant.
Speaking at the Jeju Forum on May 25, 2024 [2], Sall identified the South Korean development model as a primary example for other emerging economies. He said that Korea’s development model is a benchmark for developing countries and that the UN must be reformed to reflect that experience.
Sall said the current global landscape requires a shift in how the UN manages growth and stability. "Rebuilding trust in the United Nations in a fragmented world requires reform, and also a new approach to development," Sall said.
Sall was one of five candidates [1] participating in the Jeju Forum session. The group of candidates said there is a need for UN reform to restore trust in the institution.
The push for reform focuses on ensuring the UN system can effectively facilitate the transition of developing countries from poverty to prosperity. By utilizing specific national success stories, Sall said the UN can provide more practical, results-oriented guidance for member states.
“"Rebuilding trust in the United Nations in a fragmented world requires reform, and also a new approach to development."”
Sall's platform signals a strategic shift toward 'South-South' cooperation, leveraging the success of Asian tigers like South Korea to provide a blueprint for African and other developing regions. By linking institutional UN reform with tangible economic development models, he is positioning himself as a candidate who views the UN not just as a diplomatic mediator, but as an engine for economic mobilization.
