The United Nations, once celebrated as the guardian of peace and justice, is today viewed by many as a paralyzed institution, unable to respond effectively to wars, global crises, or rising multipolar tensions. Vetoes block action, reforms are endlessly delayed, and smaller states feel sidelined. Against this backdrop, a phrase is gaining traction: “Time for a reset.”
At the center of this discussion stand two actors: Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, and Donald Trump, president of the United States. Together, they represent the voices of middle powers and disruptive leaders who are prepared to challenge the old order.
The Security Council remains hostage to the vetoes of permanent members, unable to address urgent conflicts. Institutions like ECOSOC and UN peacekeeping missions have lost much of their credibility due to inefficiency and bureaucracy.
Issues of the 21st century – pandemics, cyber security, climate change, and global inequality – remain poorly addressed. Even UN Secretary-General António Guterres admitted in 2025 that “structural reform is overdue.” Critics argue that minor reforms are insufficient: the system requires a full reset.
For decades, Azerbaijan appealed to the UN regarding Armenia’s occupation of its territories. Four UN Security Council resolutions in the 1990s recognized Azerbaijan’s sovereignty but were never enforced. For Baku, this became a textbook example of UN impotence. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev emphasizes that smaller and medium-sized states cannot depend on outdated structures that consistently fail to deliver justice.
Azerbaijan is more than a regional actor
Today, Azerbaijan is more than a regional actor. As an energy hub, transit corridor, and peace broker after the 2025 US-mediated agreement with Armenia, it positions itself as a connector between East and West, North and South. Aliyev frames UN reform as essential not only for global justice but also for empowering mid-level states that uphold sovereignty and independence.
Trump, known for challenging established norms, has reemerged in 2025 as a mediator. His involvement in brokering the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement in Washington renewed his diplomatic profile.
The president once criticized global institutions, but now his message is that only disruptive leadership can revive them. For him, a reset means breaking the monopoly of entrenched powers and ensuring that action replaces endless speeches.
While being from very different contexts, Trump and Aliyev share deep frustration with the UN’s failures. Their cooperation signals a potential alliance of reformist voices: Trump brings global visibility, while Aliyev provides the perspective of a state long ignored by the UN system.
Institutional reform should include: Limiting or restructuring veto power in the Security Council; expanding representation to include rising and mid-tier powers; streamlining UN agencies to reduce duplication and waste; binding enforcement of Security Council resolutions; independent auditing of peacekeeping operations; and universal transparency standards for humanitarian and development aid.
The reset carries a symbolic message: leadership must come from new voices, not only from the traditional powers. Permanent members of the Security Council are unlikely to give up privileges easily. Without tangible reforms, a reset risks being dismissed as mere rhetoric. Reform requires a coalition of mid-sized and smaller states, not just high-profile leaders.
The call for a reset reflects both frustration and hope. Aliyev, with the experience of a state left unprotected by the UN system, and Trump, with the disruptive energy of an outsider, symbolize a new push for change.
Their joint message is clear: the UN must adapt to the realities of the 21st century or risk irrelevance. The reset they propose is not about cosmetic reforms but about reshaping global governance to reflect fairness, efficiency, and inclusivity. The question is no longer if reform will happen, but when – and who will lead the way.
The writer is the CEO of the Dona Gracia Center for Diplomacy and an Israel-based journalist. She is the author of Women and Jihad: Debating Palestinian Female Suicide Bombings in the American, Israeli and Arab Media.