The post-World War II international order confronts unprecedented challenges as emerging economies from the Global South gain economic and political influence, creating pressure for structural reforms within the United Nations system. This research examines how emerging powers reshape multilateralism through demands for institutional changes that better reflect contemporary power realities. Using a theoretical framework combining power transition theory with institutional adaptation models, the study analyzes the material foundations of the Global South’s rise, investigates specific institutional demands regarding the Security Council, financial mechanisms, and agenda-setting processes, and identifies structural and internal barriers to reform. Case studies of the Paris Climate Agreement, BRICS expansion, and Security Council reform deadlock demonstrate differentiated reform prospects across governance domains. The research proposes a Global South Coordination Mechanism to enhance collective influence in the short term and a “weighted multilateralism” model for long-term institutional transformation. The findings reveal how emerging powers are creating a more pluralistic governance landscape through multiple pathways of contestation, adaptation, and innovation despite formidable constraints on comprehensive reform.

Keywords: Global South, United Nations Reform, Multilateralism, Institutional Adaptation

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Conflicts of Interest:

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.

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The Rise of the Global South and UN Reform: How Emerging Powers Reshape Multilateralism