As unilateralism and protectionism strain the international order, the solution lies not in turning away from multilateralism but in strengthening genuine multilateral cooperation and improving the United Nations-centered global governance system, said Zhang Jun, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Zhang, China's former permanent representative to the UN, said that "the gravest challenge confronting the world today is the resurgence of unilateralism and protectionism", and the immediate task is to prevent these from spreading further.

With the international order entering a period of transition and heightened risks, countries should strengthen crisis prevention and management, and build effective guardrails, he said in a recent interview with China Daily.

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He urged major powers to "act responsibly" to enhance strategic communication, while calling on all countries to "consider developing a negative list, identifying what actions are unacceptable and where the red lines are" to prevent local conflicts from spilling over into wider instability and help avoid greater instability around the world.

But the rise of unilateralism, Zhang warned, should not erode confidence in multilateralism.

Noting that the essence of the great changes in the world lies in the major shift in the global power landscape, he said that one clear sign is the collective rise of the Global South and the continued development of multipolarization.

He underlined that multilateral cooperation remains "the most effective way" to address global challenges and achieve shared development and security, which serves the interests of all countries.

Revitalizing multilateralism requires stronger support for the authority and effectiveness of the UN, Zhang noted.

"The biggest challenge facing the UN today is a crisis of direction," he said, noting that countries no longer agree on some fundamentals and basic principles.

To put the world back on track, countries must recognize that humanity lives in a community with a shared future. "No country can achieve its own prosperity and security by harming the interests of others," Zhang said.

Countries should uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect international law and apply the same rules to all, he said, emphasizing that "selective multilateralism and double standards must be opposed."

On UN reforms, Zhang said the process should make global governance better reflect changes in the global balance of power, especially by increasing the representation and voice of the Global South.

"When the Global South calls for a greater voice, it is not seeking to overturn the existing system," he said.

Zhang also called for putting development at the center of the UN agenda, saying that the reform should channel more institutional resources toward development initiatives and proceed in tandem with reforms of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The UN could also better integrate its development system and resources, and consider setting up a global development fund to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.

Improving efficiency is also necessary, Zhang said, adding that limited resources should be directed where they are needed most to ensure that UN work delivers real results.

As global efforts continue to revitalize the UN, Zhang cautioned against questioning the outcomes of World War II or weakening the postwar international order simply because the UN has not always been able to play the role expected of it.

"At a time when the world is becoming more divided and uncertain, we need more than ever to uphold the international order with the UN at its core and international law as its foundation," he said.

"We should oppose actions that undermine this order and remain vigilant against the return of militarism and other forces that threaten peace and stability," he added.

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Nations should also not question the value of the UN Charter, the foundation of international relations and the international system, simply because the world has changed, Zhang said.

He added that the challenges facing the world today are not the result of the purposes and principles of the Charter becoming outdated. "The problem is that they have not been fully implemented."

The UN's authority and effectiveness also depend on the support of its member states, he said, adding that major countries have a special responsibility to "lead by example, support multilateral institutions and honor their international commitments".

Contact the writers at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn