UNA-UK’s new Chair of the Board, Ian Martin, sent this message to members and supporters on 13 February 2025.

I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of UNA-UK, at a time when our work is going to be of critical importance.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. This milestone should be cause for celebration, recommitment and renewal. Instead we are faced with a sombre state of affairs: escalating violent conflicts, catastrophic humanitarian crises, worsening geopolitical tensions including among nuclear powers, the weaponisation of new technologies and the surging climate crisis.

In the face of these immense challenges, an effective UN and multilateral system has never been more needed. The great majority of member states are frustrated at the condition of global governance; in particular, the anachronistic composition of the Security Council, the use of the veto and the entrenched privileges which the current five permanent members enjoy, along with the failure to make progress on growing demands for reform of the international financial architecture. And now the Trump administration has announced withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the Human Rights Council and the World Health Organisation, with further threats to the funding of the UN system.

It is imperative, therefore, that our own government stands up for international law and works with others to mitigate these threats to current and future generations. For UNA-UK to play our part, we must redouble our efforts locally and internationally to intensify our campaigns and advocacy to policymakers and the public. The vitality of our grassroots movement of UNA Groups, members and supporters is essential in holding the government to account and pushing them to action.

Our 2025 Conference will take place on Saturday 12 April. For the first time this will be hosted in hybrid form, with options to join either in-person or online. This will be an opportunity for all elements of UNA-UK to engage with each other. I am looking forward to taking part and would be very pleased to see you then. The discussion there will help inform the development of our next strategy and policy.

In 2025, UNA-UK’s small but committed staff will be joined by a new Chief Executive. The recruitment process is already under way, and I invite you to draw this to the attention of any potential candidates who meet the requirements set out in the job description and person specification.

UNA-UK has great assets in its staff, UNA Groups, members and supporters with which to contribute to meeting the immense challenges the United Nations faces in the period ahead. I thank you for your support, and count on your continuing engagement.

Best regards,

Ian Martin