“The UN Charter, adopted on 24 October 1945, has not lost its relevance in the 21st century. In fact, we need the United Nations more than ever, because the Charter constitutes humanity’s only rules-based order, and its best hope to build a peaceful modus vivendi that will facilitate development and prosperity for everyone on the planet.”

Cuban-born American lawyer and writer

Alfred-Maurice de Zayas is a Cuban-born American lawyer and writer active in human rights and international law. He served as the first United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, in office from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2018. His work centers on human rights and the legal questions that shape the international order. He is known for writing on these fields and for his role in the United Nations mandate on a democratic and equitable international order.