UN Emergency Coordinator Tom Fletcher criticized the current climate of international politics, describing it as an atmosphere of impunity. Speaking to the FAZ, Fletcher stated that there is a pervasive feeling that no one is being held accountable. He characterized the times as being marked by a sort of desire for conflict, noting that “it is a time where much revolves around transactions” which he warned undermines the foundations of global cooperation, suggesting that “essentially everyone has become a kind of real estate agent”.
Regarding the Sudan Conference scheduled for Wednesday in Berlin, Fletcher viewed its mere existence as a success because it brings the right people together at one table. However, he cautioned against unrealistic expectations, remarking, “I believe we have moved into a world where everyone expects peace agreements to happen immediately” stressing that a successful path to peace requires German patience and seriousness.
In other developments, Fletcher is working on a “humanitarian relaunch”. A key component of this effort involves integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to help offset budget cuts affecting humanitarian aid. He believes AI can assist in better forecasting and assessing future needs, thus allowing for proactive preparation. Furthermore, this technology aids in tracking and accountability. Fletcher mentioned, “For example, we now have a tracker that shows us in detail how we saved seven million lives in January”. He believes this tool can help the UN regain legitimacy by demonstrating that its actions are genuinely effective and produce real results.
