Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, discusses the challenges of relocating the UN headquarters to Sochi.
In the "Forum of Future 2050," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stirred quite a fuss. He floated a bold idea, suggesting the United Nations should pack up and head to Sochi—an idea first mooted by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
"You see, the UN would bloom in Sochi," Lavrov shared during a heated exchange with former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Knaissl, now leading the G.O.R.K.l. Center at St. Petersburg University, as reported by TASS news agency.
However, Lavrov also warned that relocating established international organizations, deeply rooted in their current homes, would result in a mass migration—a thought too horrific to imagine.
"These structures have grown to have deep roots, both physically in buildings and property, and metaphorically in personnel, especially after the introduction of permanent contracts," Lavrov elaborated. "The workforce has bought homes, apartments. If we were to move now, it would bring about a massive displacement of people. It's hard even to imagine," he lamented, having spent a decade as Russia's permanent representative to the UN.
Lavrov expressed faith in the US carrying out its duties as host nation, asserting that sticking with the current setup would be more cost-effective than uprooting. Yet, he couldn't hide his displeasure regarding the breach of obligations by the host nation, and he wasn't alone in his criticism. Countries like Austria and Switzerland, home to multiple international organizations, also face accusations of violating their commitments.
Lavrov maintained that these obligations should be addressed through the same principles as the UN Charter. "There's not a single provision in that Charter that's outdated or unfair. Adhering to it would likely make global issues much easier to resolve," he reasoned.
The thought-provoking exchange took place at the Forum, held on June 9-10 in Moscow's Lomonosov Moscow State University cluster.
- In the discussion at the Forum of Future 2050, Lavrov proposed a shift in policy-and-legislation by suggesting the United Nations should move to Sochi, a suggestion first made by Stalin.
- The politics of moving established international organizations have implications, as Lavrov pointed out, as this could lead to massive displacement of personnel, a situation unfavorable in the general-news landscape.
