UN relevance; structural reforms: Basics Explained

READ: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/the-un-s-irrelevance-in-a-world-of-conflicts-a-call-for-restructuring-and-alternative-platforms-for-global-governance-11683483119998.html

The article talks about the fading relevance of United Nations(UN) in the international milieu-giving example of recent Sudan conflict-and suggests ways for pre-eminence of the body in international arena

The article talks about the on going discussions on initiatives, within the UN, for changes, and c These initiatives contain some fine ideas on conflict prevention, peacekeeping, nuclear risk reduction, arms control, artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems, climate change and gender equity.

It talks about the underlying reason for the decline of relevanve of UN- its political structure(Security Council reform). The realities of the 21st century world is very different from that 20th century when UN was born and poses many new problems and realities

UN’s specialized agencies like Unicef and UNHCR do an admirable job under exacting circumstances when no one else will do it. They need to be strengthened.

LEARNING FROM HOME/ WITHOUT CLASSES/ BASICS

The United Nations(UN) is an international organization founded on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It provides a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the UN official languages.

The name “United Nations” was coined by the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first used in the Declaration by United Nations on 1 January 1942, during Second World War.

The General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat are the six principal organs of the UN.

          21st century world is very different from that 20th century and poses many new problems and realities. A general trend of increasing the number of challenges that are Trans-national in character (for example, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics, climate crisis, cyber-security, and poverty).

UN being the epitome of multilateral world order will be much needed in dealing with global issues. In this time of upheaval, amid a pandemic and facing the spectre of climate change there is urgency for reform in UN with wider representation of Nations and democratization in the decision making.

Powerful countries move toward unilateralism, populism, and nationalism at the expense of multilateralism and collective action, global institutions better reflect contemporary global realities. Security Council need be more inclusive, representative, transparent, and effective, and to demonstrate greater cooperation and consensus-building, therefore remains critical to the United Nations’ overall success.

Threats endanger the existence of humanity: climate change, infectious disease, and nuclear weapons. This body’s aim should be fostering and supporting technological and policy solutions on both a regional and global level while building support among all stakeholders (not only states) in a way that prioritizes the needs of the future over the short-term agendas of the present.

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