United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1945 in the aftermath of the Second World War, with the aim of preventing the recurrence of such catastrophic global conflict. Established by 51 founding members, the UN was designed to serve as a central forum where nations could work together to maintain peace and security, promote friendly relations, and encourage social and economic progress. Today, the UN has grown to 193 member states, making it the most inclusive and representative international organisation in existence. The UN’s mission, as outlined in its Charter, encompasses an extraordinarily broad range of activities. These include peacekeeping and peacebuilding, conflict prevention, humanitarian aid, sustainable development, environmental protection, disaster relief, counter-terrorism, disarmament, and the promotion of democracy, human rights, and gender equality. The organisation also supports refugees, advances food production, and engages in long- term development assistance. Its unique character as both a political forum and an operational entity allows it to combine deliberation and action, providing a space for governments to voice concerns, negotiate agreements, and coordinate collective responses to global challenges.

While the UN is sometimes perceived primarily as a peacekeeping body, its work extends far beyond conflict zones. Development initiatives, such as those aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), address the structural causes of instability- poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation thus contributing to long- term peace. The organisation’s legitimacy stems from its near-universal membership and its founding principle of sovereign equality among states, although this principle often interacts uneasily with the realities of geopolitical power.

Principal Organs and Functions

The UN Charter created six principal organs, each with distinct responsibilities but working collectively toward the organisation’s overarching goals. The General Assembly (UNGA), comprising all member states, is the UN’s main deliberative and representative organ. It meets annually and addresses a wide array of global issues. While its resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant moral and political weight. Key powers of the UNGA include appointing the Secretary- General, electing non-permanent members of the Security Council, and approving the UN budget. The Security Council (UNSC) holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Composed of 15 members- five permanent (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten elected for two-year terms- the Council can issue legally binding resolutions. It can investigate disputes, impose sanctions, and authorise the use of force. However, its effectiveness is often shaped, and sometimes constrained, by the veto power held by the five permanent members.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) coordinates the UN’s work on economic, social, and environmental issues, including implementation of the SDGs. With 54 members elected by the General Assembly, it serves as a central platform for policy dialogue and oversees numerous specialised agencies and commissions. The Trusteeship Council was established to oversee 11 trust territories and guide them toward self-government or independence. With its mission completed in 1994, the Council is now dormant but remains in existence under the Charter. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague, is the UN’s principal judicial organ. It settles legal disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on legal questions referred by UN bodies. Composed of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms, the ICJ provides an important mechanism for the peaceful resolution of disputes under international law. Finally, the Secretariat is the UN’s administrative arm, carrying out the day-to-day work mandated by the other organs. Led by the Secretary-General, the Secretariat operates globally, supporting peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations, and policy initiatives. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, is serving his second term from 2022 to 2026.

Core Principles and Normative Frameworks

The UN’s normative foundations are enshrined in its Charter and reinforced by key documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948. The UDHR sets out a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations,” articulating rights to life, liberty, security, freedom of expression, equality before the law, and participation in government, among others. These principles reflect the belief that peace is inseparable from respect for human dignity and justice. Member states have pledged to promote and protect human rights both domestically and through international cooperation. While these commitments are aspirational, they have shaped international law, diplomacy, and advocacy. The UN has also developed specialised treaties and monitoring bodies- covering issues such as racial discrimination, torture, and the rights of women and children- that complement and operationalise the UDHR.

In practice, the UN’s principles are sometimes challenged by the competing priorities of its member states. Geopolitical rivalries, national sovereignty concerns, and differing interpretations of human rights norms can slow or obstruct collective action. Nonetheless, the UN remains a central forum for norm-setting, creating the legal and moral frameworks that underpin much of contemporary international governance.

Contemporary Challenges and Reform Debates

The UN faces a complex set of challenges in fulfilling its mandate. In conflict prevention and peacekeeping, its record is mixed. While many missions have successfully stabilised volatile regions, there have also been high-profile failures, such as the inability to prevent genocide in Rwanda (1994) or protect civilians in Srebrenica (1995). Peacekeeping operations have been criticised for bureaucratic inefficiency, slow deployment, and, in some cases, misconduct by personnel. Political divisions among member states, especially within the Security Council, often hinder decisive action. The veto power of the permanent five members (P5) is a particular source of controversy, as it allows a single country to block measures even in the face of overwhelming international support. This has been evident in the Council’s inaction on crises such as Syria, Crimea, and Gaza, where vetoes have reflected national interests rather than collective security. Perceived bias is another recurring critique, particularly regarding the UN’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that the disproportionate focus on this issue, combined with the political elevation of certain non-state actors, undermines the UN’s credibility. Administrative issues, including corruption scandals like the Oil-for-Food Programme, have further damaged public trust.

Calls for Security Council reform have been ongoing for decades. Proposals range from expanding permanent membership championed by the Group of Four (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan) to creating new categories of semi-permanent seats, as advocated by the Uniting for Consensus group. The question of the veto remains highly contentious. Some states and advocacy groups support its abolition or limitation, especially in cases involving mass atrocities, while others see it as essential to maintaining unity among major powers. Despite broad agreement on the need for reform, changes to the UN Charter require the consent of all P5 members, making significant structural reform difficult to achieve. Regional representation is also a focal point, with widespread agreement that Africa’s underrepresentation in the Security Council must be addressed. For countries like India, reform is both a question of equity and effectiveness. India has consistently argued that a reformed Council, reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities, would be better equipped to address global challenges.

The United Nations remains a cornerstone of the international system, an arena where states can address shared problems and work toward common solutions. Its breadth of activity, from humanitarian aid to conflict resolution, reflects both the complexity of global governance and the enduring need for multilateral cooperation. Yet the UN’s effectiveness depends on its ability to adapt to shifting geopolitical dynamics, overcome structural limitations, and uphold the principles on which it was founded.

Reform, particularly of the Security Council, is essential if the UN is to maintain legitimacy and relevance in the decades ahead. This includes not only questions of membership and veto power but also improving transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency across the organisation. By fostering inclusivity, strengthening its capacity to respond to crises, and reaffirming its commitment to human rights and development, the UN can continue to serve as an indispensable instrument for peace, security, and the advancement of humanity.

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United Nations