The United Nations is the premier global institution for multilateral diplomacy. It is here that the countries of the world conduct business with respect to those fundamental issues stated in the UN Charter and that have vital relevance to us all, both in our individual capacities as states and, collectively, as members of the human family. It is here that issues of peace and security, matters relating to economic and social development as well as human right and humanitarian issues are discussed, debated and, hopefully, common positions taken. No doubt, in all these activities issues of national interest figure prominent because, at the end of the day, all states, without exception, consider matters of state interest of paramount importance. What the UN does is to try to reconcile these more often diverse interests with the view to reaching a common consensus on what is in the interest of humanity in general. This is one of the primary obligations of multilateral diplomacy. read more ...