Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Lokur to Discuss UN Reform at Book Launch Event

A distinguished gathering of legal minds, diplomats, and academics will convene in New Delhi on September 18, 2026, for a book launch and special forum titled “The UN: Reality and Future: Public Trust, the Role of India, and Future Generations.” The event, organised in partnership with LiveLaw, will critically examine the United Nations’ credibility crisis and explore pathways for institutional reform through the lens of administrative justice, the rule of law, and accountability. Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Madan B. Lokur, who currently chairs the United Nations Internal Justice Council, will lead a pivotal panel discussion, underscoring the deep engagement of India’s legal fraternity with global governance issues.

The Context: A Crisis of Public Trust in the United Nations

The United Nations, founded in the aftermath of World War II, has long served as the cornerstone of multilateral diplomacy and international law. Yet in recent years, the organization has faced mounting criticism over its ability to deliver on its core mandates—peace and security, development, and human rights. Allegations of inefficiency, bureaucratic inertia, and a perceived lack of accountability have eroded public confidence. This trust deficit is not merely a diplomatic concern; it has tangible implications for the effectiveness of international legal frameworks, from the International Court of Justice to specialized tribunals and peacekeeping operations.

Against this backdrop, the New Delhi forum seeks to ask a fundamental question: Can the United Nations rebuild public trust? The answer, as the programme suggests, lies in a renewed commitment to administrative justice and the rule of law. For legal professionals, the event offers a rare opportunity to engage with high-level discourse on how internal governance reforms within the UN system can strengthen its legitimacy and efficacy.

The Book and Its Vision

The book at the centre of the event, “The UN: Reality and Future,” is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the organization’s achievements and shortcomings, with a particular focus on India’s evolving role. India, as a founding member of the UN and a permanent aspirant for the Security Council, has consistently advocated for reform. The book’s title hints at a forward-looking approach, emphasizing the need to safeguard the interests of future generations. While specific authors were not named in the announcement, the involvement of Senior Advocate Chander Uday Singh and Justice Lokur suggests a work grounded in both constitutional law and international jurisprudence.

Keynote and Panels: A Lineup of Legal Luminaries

The programme will be anchored by Ms. Poornima Joshi, former Political Editor of The Hindu BusinessLine, as Master of Ceremonies. The keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Chander Uday Singh, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India. Singh’s address is expected to set the tone by linking domestic constitutional principles—such as natural justice and judicial review—to the international sphere.

The first panel session, titled “Can the UN Rebuild Public Trust?”, will feature Dr. Eun-Ju Kim, Chair Professor at aSSIST University and former Chief of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Dr. Kim’s background in international telecommunications governance offers a unique perspective on how specialized agencies within the UN system grapple with trust and accountability.

The second session, “The UN: Reality and Future,” will be chaired by Justice Madan B. Lokur. The panelists include Senior Advocate P. V. Dinesh, Associate Professor Tanvir Aeijaz of Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Attorney-at-Law Ajmal Edappagath, and journalist Venkitesh Ramakrishnan. This diverse group—spanning the judiciary, academia, legal practice, and media—promises a multifaceted debate on the structural and operational reforms needed to make the UN fit for purpose in the 21st century.

Legal Implications: Administrative Justice and Accountability

For legal professionals, the most compelling aspect of the forum is its focus on administrative justice within the United Nations. Justice Lokur’s role as Chair of the UN Internal Justice Council is particularly significant. The Internal Justice Council oversees the administration of justice for UN staff, including the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. These bodies are crucial for ensuring that the UN’s own employment practices adhere to the rule of law—a principle the organization champions globally.

The forum’s emphasis on accountability and institutional reform resonates with ongoing debates in international administrative law. How can international organizations be held accountable for their actions? What mechanisms exist for individuals—whether staff members or beneficiaries of UN programmes—to seek redress? These are questions that legal practitioners in fields ranging from international human rights law to public international law encounter regularly.

Moreover, the discussion of “public trust” extends beyond the UN’s internal workings. It touches on the broader credibility of international law itself. When states and citizens perceive the UN as ineffective or biased, they may be less inclined to comply with its resolutions or to submit disputes to its judicial bodies. This erosion of trust has real-world consequences, from the weakening of multilateral arms control treaties to the rise of unilateral sanctions and military interventions.

Impact on Legal Practice and the Justice System

The event’s potential impact on the legal community in India and abroad is substantial. For lawyers specializing in international law, the forum offers insights into career pathways within UN agencies and tribunals. Justice Lokur’s presence signals that Indian jurists are increasingly occupying leadership positions in global legal institutions, paving the way for more Indian lawyers to engage with international administrative law.

Additionally, the discussion of India’s role in UN reform is timely. India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, but reform of the UN’s governance structures is equally important. For Indian legal scholars and practitioners, understanding the mechanics of UN administrative justice can inform advocacy for similar reforms domestically—for example, in quasi-judicial bodies and regulatory commissions.

The inclusion of a dialogue and question-and-answer session on “What kind of United Nations should we build together?” invites active participation from the audience. Such interactive formats are rare in high-level legal conferences and reflect a deliberate effort to democratize the conversation about international governance.

Conclusion: A Landmark Event for Legal Professionals

The book launch and forum on “The UN: Reality and Future” promises to be a landmark event for legal professionals interested in the intersection of international law, governance, and administrative justice. With a stellar lineup of speakers including a former Supreme Court judge, a senior advocate, and experts from academia and journalism, the event will provide a rigorous examination of the challenges facing the United Nations and the reforms necessary to restore public trust.

For those in New Delhi, the event at The Dome, Ambassador Hotel, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM on September 18, 2026, followed by dinner and networking, offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with these critical issues. The partnership with LiveLaw ensures that the discussions will reach a wider legal audience, fostering ongoing dialogue about the future of multilateralism and the rule of law.