Event Summary: Dame Barbara Woodward
Zelensky scowled at the camera. On the other end, the most powerful body in the United Nations was in session: the Security Council. ‘You could do two things’, the Ukrainian President declared, donned in his trademark military uniform. The ultimatum? Either remove Russia from the Security Council or ‘dissolve yourselves altogether.’ Zelensky had thrown down the gauntlet full-square at the feet of the horseshoe-shaped table. Sat at its head was Dame Barbara Woodward, the UK’s permanent representative to the UN and, for the month of April, the President of the Security Council.
On Thursday 20th October, Dame Woodward kindly spent an hour and a half speaking with the LSESU’s United Nations Society in a Hong Kong Theatre brimming with excitement. Dame Woodward has had an illustrious diplomatic career spanning from Russia to China, where she was eventually appointed as the first female ambassador, to New York, where she currently serves as permanent representative to the UN. Dame Woodward’s career has seen her involved in diplomacy of the highest level and decisions of the greatest importance. However, far from being awestruck by the occasion, the audience took every opportunity to critically engage with the challenges facing the multilateral order.
Is the UN redundant? With conflict breaking out in Syria, Ukraine, and potentially in the South China Sea, has the UN’s inability to maintain security been exposed? Not quite, answered Dame Woodward. Although it did not prevent these incursions, it has mobilised global efforts to isolate the perpetrators, she argued. With the UK’s leadership of the security council in April, pressure was applied on Russia at every turn, with suspensions imposed on its participation in the Human Rights Council and UNICEF. The end result? Russia denouncing the UK’s presidency as the worst ever – an accolade Dame Woodward claims proudly.
Notwithstanding, Dame Woodward admitted that the UN needs reform. Its skeletal framework was designed in 1945, a different era to the modern day. For example, security challenges used to begin and end with territorial incursions. Nowadays, everything from climate change to sexual violence to cyber warfare constitutes a threat to global security. The Security Council must adopt a broader mindset about its remit, the diplomat declared.
What entitles the permanent 5 members of the security council in light of the enormous change that has taken place since 1945? Dame Woodward was candid in her response, revealing that she would be open to the permanent membership of Germany, Japan, India, and two or three African states. In a similar vein, the diplomat was challenged about a Western bias, evidenced by the fact that the UK has not used its veto right since 1989. But this is simply a testament to the UK’s aptitude at diplomacy, she professed; It is because we reconcile conflicting interests so adeptly that we very rarely resort to the nuclear option!
Is the UK becoming irrelevant? Is political turmoil throwing the country into disrepute and undermining its diplomatic credibility? Absolutely not, Dame Woodward contested. Yes, hard power in a military sense has declined. Yes, we have left the European Union. However, we remain one of the largest economies in the world. Furthermore, our cultural power is envied the world over; From the English language to media to our bizarrely antiquated but cherished customs, Britain’s soft power is not to be trifled with. Furthermore, our membership of international organisations, particularly as part of the Security Council’s P5, gives us a seat at the table at nearly every significant decision.
Overall, as is the modus operandi of a diplomat, Dame Woodward addressed sensitive issues with carefully worded, pensive, and erudite remarks. Perhaps most telling of her character was the fact that, after the event had officially concluded, she stayed behind to take one-to-one queries before taking her leave.
It was a privilege of the highest order to host the permanent representative. The United Nations Society would like to extend its profound gratitude to Dame Woodward for taking the time to speak with us. Plaudits must also go to Sean Yap and Angela Li, UNSoc’s Outreach Directors who made this event possible. UNSoc looks forward to hosting more intellectually stimulating events.
Advait Kuravi