Day 52 – Q 1. Has the UN been relegated to a position of irrelevance in the last few years? Critically analyse.
1. Has the UN been relegated to a position of irrelevance in the last few years? Critically analyse.
क्या पिछले कुछ वर्षों में संयुक्त राष्ट्र को अप्रासंगिकता की स्थिति में ला दिया गया है? समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण करें।
Introduction:
The United Nations(UN) is an international intergovernmental organization, that was formed after the second world war. As a successor to the league of nations, it formation was driven largely ensure world peace and prevent a future catastrophe of similar magnitude.
Body:
Lately, questions have been raised over the relevance of the UN due to
- Nuclear Peril- Ineffectiveness of UN’s actions in response to North Korea’s missiles and nuclear tests and non-compliance of UN’s sanctions by countries like Zimbabwe, Libya and Yemen.
- Terrorism- UN has been powerless to enforce even the basic strictures against terrorists it sanctions like Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
- Human rights- UN failed to contain Rohingya and Syrian refugee crisis.
- Changing world order- UN is still based upon post World war 2 geopolitics and ignores to account for the emerging global south and G$ nations UNSC bid.
- Alternate institutions- Groups of nations are now dealing with pressing issues multilaterally making the relevance of UN questionable like G8, SAARC etc.
- New challenges- Cyber security, Global commons etc. have emerged that UN lacks the expertise to deal with.
Despite various failures, UN still holds relevance:
- Climate change- UNFCCC has been instrumental in dealing with issues related to climate change and forming a consensus.
- Human rights- UN peacekeeping operations, UNHRC have helped millions across the globe.
- Terrorism- Various sanctions have been enacted to curb terrorism.
- Global progress- The UN has also made huge contributions to global progress through its agencies, particularly those dealing with refugees, the World Health Organisation and Unicef. By its efforts smallpox has been eliminated, healthcare improved and education promoted.
Conclusion:
In order to strengthen the role of the United Nations, efforts should be made to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It is essential to ensure to all Member States of the United Nations the right to equal participation in international affairs and the rights and interests of the developing countries should be safeguarded.
Best answer: Iron Man
