Effective multilateralism depends on institutions that are transparent, accountable, and able to enforce their own rules. The United Nations should lead by example, from how it selects its next secretary-general to how it plans to ensure that governments follow through on their climate commitments.
BERLIN—In January, US President Donald Trump suggested that his newly created Board of Peace might eventually replace the United Nations. It’s easy to dismiss this as Trump’s typical bluster, but it also underscores the UN’s loss of credibility. The problem is that the world still desperately needs an institution capable of bringing countries together to tackle global challenges like climate change.