Emerging Powers and the UN: What Kind of Development Partnership?

The post-2015 sustainable development goals and the changing environment for development cooperation requires a renewed and transformed UN system. In line with their increasing significance as economic powers, a growing number of emerging countries will play an expanded role in the UN system, which could take the form of growing financial contributions, greater presence in governance, higher staff representation, a stronger voice in development deliberations, and a greater overall influence on the development agenda.

Emerging Powers and the UN explores in depth the relationship of these countries on the world stage and their role in the future UN development system. Formally, the relationship is through representation as member states (first UN) and also UN staff (second UN). However, the importance of civil society and market actors (third UN) in emerging countries is also growing.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.

Thomas G. Weiss is Presidential Professor of Political Science, and Director Emeritus of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, at The City University of New York’s Graduate Center, CUNY, New York City, USA.

Adriana Erthal Abdenur is Professor of International Relations at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and General Coordinator of the BRICS Policy Center.