UN Official Warns Eroding Trust Threatens Institutions
Adriana Alberti of UN DESA says inequality and weak governance are wearing down public confidence at a Baku summit.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Corruption
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Adriana Alberti of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs said growing inequalities, ineffective governance, and socioeconomic pressures have eroded public trust in institutions. Her remarks were delivered at the UN Governance Innovation Summit in Baku.
Why it matters
Institutions designed in the 20th century face challenges of speed, scale, and interconnectedness in the 21st century. Shifting centers of power and ongoing conflicts are further undermining trust in institutions and their ability to respond to interconnected crises.
The summit has around 200 participants and is held under a Contribution Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and the UN in November 2024. No measured trust-level figures were disclosed in the remarks.
The players
Adriana Alberti
Adriana Alberti is an official of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs who addressed the summit on governance and public trust.
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs is a United Nations body that works on sustainable development, economic policy and governance issues worldwide.
State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations
The State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations is an Azerbaijani government body that co-organizes the summit and oversees public service reform.
The details
Alberti said young people and women remain underrepresented in public institutions and are largely excluded from the most influential decision-making roles. Experts warn that, unless the current course changes, the world could face a fragmented reality in which public trust continues to erode.
Timeline
November 2024: Contribution Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and the United Nations.
November 5, 2026: Alberti delivers remarks on public trust at the summit on Thursday.
Big Picture
The summit's focus on trust and institutional capacity extends the peaceful and inclusive institutions goal of the UN 2030 Agenda, specifically SDG 16. It frames governance reform as a response to shifting global power and interconnected crises.
Young people and women remain underrepresented in public institutions and largely excluded from the most influential decision-making roles. Readers may see these governance debates shape how public services and decision-making bodies respond to future challenges.
The takeaway
Trust in institutions depends on whether they can adapt to faster, more interconnected challenges. Readers can track how governance reforms address inclusion and accountability over time.
Further reading
For related coverage of institutional integrity, see the Corruption section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trend.
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