The United Nations in Today’s World

Foreign Policy Brief #169 | By: Ibrahim Castro | December 6, 2024

Photo by Hugo Magalhaes

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The United Nations (UN) is the world’s largest international organization, it was founded on October 24, 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War by 50 countries. The UN was the second multipurpose international organization, after the League of Nations, that was established in the 20th century. The UN is headquartered in New York City, with regional offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Its official languages are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

The purpose and principles of the United Nations are outlined in its Charter. The essential principles underlying the purposes and functions of the organization are listed in Article 2 and includes the following: “the UN is based on the sovereign equality of its members; disputes are to be settled by peaceful means; members are to refrain from the threat or use of force in contravention of the purposes of the UN, and each member must assist the organization in any enforcement actions it takes under the Charter”.  The United Nations has six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. 

Major changes in the nature of the international arena since the end of the second world war have resulted in changes and additions to the responsibilities of the UN and its role in the world. For example, during the post-war decolonization period, countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East increased the volume and nature of political, economic, and social issues that confronted the organization. Following this, Cold War tensions between the two global superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union deeply affected the UN’s functions and peace making efforts. The end of the cold war and beginning of the 21st century brought a multiplicity of issues thrown into the UN’s ever increasing agenda; humanitarian crises, regional and civil wars, unprecedented refugee flows, devastation caused climate change, global pandemics, global financial disruptions, international terrorism, and the disparities in wealth between the world’s richest and poorest.

UN Security Council: Inaction and Underrepresentation

One of the most controversial aspects of the UN is the Security Council (UNSC), its primary crisis-management body. With 15 members—10 rotating and 5 permanent (the P5: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China)—the UNSC has the power to impose binding obligations, authorize military action, and enforce sanctions. However, its structure reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, leading to frequent and increasing criticism of underrepresentation. Nations from the Global South, which make up over two-thirds of the UN’s membership, are notably absent from permanent membership in the UNSC.

Additionally, the Council’s effectiveness is frequently hampered by the veto power wielded by the P5, often resulting in political deadlock. This polarized dynamic, with Russia and China on one side and the US, UK, and France on the other, stalls resolutions on major global issues. Proposed reforms include expanding the Council to include more nations from diverse regions, removing veto powers, or even replacing the UNSC with a majority-based decision-making process in the General Assembly. However, such reforms would require amending the UN Charter, a challenging process that demands agreement from two-thirds of the General Assembly and all P5 members.

Inability to Resolve Global Crises

The UN often faces criticism for its perceived inability to prevent and resolve global conflicts. Originally designed as a platform for diplomacy, the UN struggles to keep pace with the rise of conflicts involving both state and non-state actors, including militias, criminal networks, and terrorist groups. Natural disasters, climate change, and resource scarcity further exacerbate tensions. As of 2024, the world is witnessing 56 active conflicts, the highest since World War II, involving 92 countries. These conflicts have displaced over 122.6 million people, with 43.7 million fleeing across borders, 7 million seeking asylum and 72.1 million being internally displaced.

While the UN has played a significant role in averting some crises, it lacks enforcement power over member states and often faces political limitations, especially when powerful nations and members of the P5 are directly involved in or supporting conflicts. The UN’s perceived inability to halt global conflicts and solve the refugee crisis is often cited as a reason for its ineffectiveness. However it is important to remember that the UN as an institution has no practical power over states, it has no standing army or ability to impose its decisions. Solutions to enhance the UN’s role include reforming the Security Council for more decisive action, ensuring women and youth are involved in decision making, increasing funding for humanitarian efforts, and adopting a human-centric approach to peacekeeping that emphasizes rebuilding communities. 

Disinterested Participants

The UN depends on the active cooperation and participation of its member states. Its operations, spanning peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and climate action—are funded and supported by the collective efforts of its members. However, disinterest or disengagement by influential countries can severely weaken its effectiveness. For example, during Donald Trump’s presidency, the US, the UN’s largest financial contributor, withdrew from key initiatives such as the World Health Organization (WHO), funding for peace keeping and refugee programs, and the Paris Climate Agreement. 

Trump’s “America First” policy clashes with the ideals of  multilateralism and shared responsibility. Such actions diminish consensus and diminishes the UN’s ability to act decisively. This approach can embolden other leaders to adopt similar stances, further fragmenting the international system and limiting the UN’s influence. The long-term impact is a weaker, less cohesive global order, where conflicts and crises may go unresolved due to a lack of collective will and resources.

Conclusion

The United Nations is an indispensable platform for addressing the challenges of an interconnected and polarized world. While it has faced significant criticisms—ranging from structural inefficiencies in the Security Council to its reliance on member-state participation—its role in fostering dialogue and cooperation remains vital. Reforming key aspects of its structure and decision-making processes could enhance its ability to meet the demands of the 21st century. Ultimately, the UN’s success depends on the collective will of nations to prioritize global unity over division. But even in times of division and conflict, a meeting place for all of the world’s nations is perhaps more important than in times of unity and peace.

Engagement Resources

• United Nations- https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text
• Amnesty International- https://www.amnesty.org/en/about-us/#tab-governance 
• Human Rights Watch- https://www.hrw.org/about-us 
• International Criminal Court- https://www.icc-cpi.int/

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