The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II with the aim of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It replaced the ineffective League of Nations and has become the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world.
Origins and Formation: The term “United Nations” was first used by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II to describe the Allied powers. The UN Charter was drafted at a conference in San Francisco in 1945 and was signed on June 26, 1945 by representatives of 50 countries. The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945 when the Charter was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council and a majority of other signatories.
Structure and Principal Organs: The UN system is based on six principal organs:-
- General Assembly – The main deliberative organ where all member states are equally represented. It meets in regular annual sessions and can also hold special sessions.
- Security Council – Responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms).
- Economic and Social Council – Coordinates the economic and social work of the UN and its specialized agencies.
- Secretariat – Carries out the day-to-day work of the UN. It is headed by the Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
- International Court of Justice – The principal judicial organ of the UN located in The Hague.
- Trusteeship Council – Originally established to supervise UN trust territories, it suspended operations in 1994 when the last trust territory became independent.
Membership: As of 2023, the UN has 193 member states, representing almost all of the world’s sovereign states. The Holy See and the State of Palestine have observer state status. Admission to membership is by decision of the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Security Council.
Functions and Powers: The UN’s main functions include:
- Maintaining international peace and security
- Developing friendly relations among nations
- Cooperating in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
- Promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
- Being a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these common ends
Some key powers and roles of the UN include:
- Peacekeeping operations in conflict zones
- Imposing sanctions on countries
- Authorizing military action through Security Council Resolutions
- Investigating human rights violations
- Delivering humanitarian aid
- Promoting sustainable development
- Upholding international law
Specialized Agencies: The UN system includes several specialized agencies that work on specific issues. Some major ones are:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Bank Group
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
Achievements: Some notable achievements of the UN include:
- Peacekeeping operations that have helped end numerous conflicts
- Eradication of smallpox and near-eradication of polio
- Establishment of international laws and norms
- Promotion of human rights through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Provision of food and assistance to millions of refugees
- Promotion of arms control and disarmament
- Facilitation of independence for over 80 former coloniesz
Promotion of democracy and development in many countries
Challenges and Criticisms: The UN faces several challenges and criticisms, including:
- Inability to prevent all conflicts and wars
- Bureaucratic inefficiency and mismanagement
- Undemocratic structure of the Security Council with veto power for permanent members
- Inadequate funding and resources
- Accusations of corruption and scandal in some UN bodies
- Failure to act decisively in some humanitarian crises
- Perceived bias against certain countries
Reforms and Future: There have been many calls to reform the UN to make it more effective and representative, including:
- Expanding and reforming the Security Council
- Streamlining the UN bureaucracy
- Improving transparency and accountability
- Strengthening the UN’s capacity to respond to global challenges
- Enhancing cooperation with regional organizations and civil society
The UN continues to play a vital role in international affairs as the only truly global forum for cooperation among nations. Its future relevance will depend on its ability to adapt to new global realities and effectively address pressing issues like climate change, terrorism, inequality, and emerging technologies.
India and the UN: India was a founding member of the UN and has been one of its largest and consistent contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. India has served seven terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and is a strong proponent of UN reform, especially the expansion of the permanent membership of the Security Council. India plays an active role in UN bodies and is committed to the UN’s sustainable development agenda.
The United Nations remains the foremost international organization working towards global peace, cooperation and progress. Despite its limitations, it continues to be an indispensable forum for dialogue and collective action on the world’s most pressing challenges. Understanding the UN’s structure, functions and role is crucial for aspirants of competitive exams to grasp the workings of the international system and India’s engagement with global governance.