The United Nations (UN) is widely regarded as a vital institution addressing global issues. UN’s inception dates back to October 24, 1945, after the conclusion of World War II (Model United Nations, n.d.). The idea for the UN was initially put forth in a joint declaration by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, known as the Atlantic Charter, in August 1941 (Ashworth, 2020). Roosevelt and Churchill recognized the devastating impact of the war and identified that a more effective organization was necessary to advance international cooperation. In line with this, Simon et al. (2022) emphasized on the importance of understanding politics empirically and ethically. After a series of events, the Atlantic Charter set the principles that later formed the foundation of the United Nations Charter, including respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, promotion of free trade, and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
Over the past seven decades, the organization has broadened its initial goals of maintaining peace, upholding human rights, and establishing a framework for international justice. In addition to its well-known work in addressing conflict resolution and peacekeeping, the UN and its affiliated agencies are involved in numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people worldwide (Model United Nations, n.d.). From disaster relief and promoting education, to empowering women and advancing peaceful uses of atomic energy, the UN is dedicated to having a positive impact on the world. However, in a rapidly changing environment, the UN confronts various challenges, making it imperative to reassess its role and goals in handling global issues.
The UN system has proven its resilience but faces significant challenges. Some of the pressing issues facing the UN include combating misinformation that can contribute to conflicts, examining the connection between climate change and political violence, and mitigating the effects of unprecedented health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly emphasized the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing global health emergencies, and the UN must work to ensure universal access to healthcare and medicine (Lancet COVID-19 Commissioners, Task Force Chairs, and Commission Secretariat, 2020). Thus, the issue of health and pandemics requires a collaborative effort from all nations.
Second, UN humanitarian agencies are struggling to respond to political emergencies. Increasing violence and political instability can be witnesses in Ukraine, Russia, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (International Crisis Group, 2021). The situation in Ukraine can potentially impact the UN’s budget and exacerbate the economic downturn in developing nations. Simon et al. (2022) posited that integration must happen at economic, political, humanitarian, and technical levels to effectively solve political instability. In terms of climate change, the impacts vary greatly, which results in differing views on how to address emissions reduction targets, financing international efforts, complicated regulatory environment, and adherence to agreements (Furumo & Lambin, 2020). Promoting global action is critical in tackling these pressing challenges.
The UN operates within a complex decision-making framework, which may lead to delays in taking action. Therefore, the UN must encourage dialogue and cooperation between member states. Additionally, it should strengthen international laws and institutions to counter the impacts and challenges of climate change. Efforts toward tackling problems like political instability and health burden play a crucial role in reducing global instability. My vision for the future of the UN is for it to be a dynamic, responsive, and effective organization that can respond to the ever-changing needs of the international community.
References
Ashworth, L. M. (2020). Of global war and global futures. Rereading the 1940s with the help of Rosenboim and Barkawi. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 33(1), 3-7. Web.
Furumo, P. R., & Lambin, E. F. (2020). Scaling up zero-deforestation initiatives through public-private partnerships: A look inside post-conflict Colombia. Global Environmental Change, 62, 102055. Web.
International Crisis Group (2021). Ten challenges for the UN in 2021-2022. International Crisis Group. Web.
Lancet COVID-19 Commissioners, Task Force Chairs, and Commission Secretariat (2020). Lancet COVID-19 commission statement on the occasion of the 75th session of the UN general assembly. Lancet (London, England), 396(10257), 1102–1124. Web.
Model United Nations (n.d.). History of the United Nations. The United Nations. Web.
Simon, D. W., Riemer, N., & Romance, J. (2022). The challenge of politics: An introduction to political science. SAGE Publications.