The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 with the noble vision of maintaining international peace and security, fostering cooperation, and promoting human rights. Over the decades, it has played a significant role in conflict resolution, humanitarian aid, and global development. However, in the face of modern geopolitical complexities, obstacles to fundamental resolutions, lack of engagement mechanisms for major approved charts, and institutional shortcomings, the UN’s role and efficiency seems to be quite uncertain.
One of the most criticized aspects of the UN is its bureaucratic inefficiency. The organization comprises multiple agencies, committees, and subcommittees, which often results in slow decision-making and redundant processes. The UN’s structure, particularly the Security Council with its five permanent members wielding veto power, reflects the post-World War II global order rather than contemporary geopolitical realities. This often paralyzes decision-making, as seen in cases like the Syrian civil war or the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, where major powers use their veto to block decisive action. The idea that five Superpowers, the US, Russia, China, France, and England, control the world order, as the veto power can block irremovably any decision aimed at improving complex and dangerous situations, is turning into a burden for emerging powers that do not accept anymore to carry.
So far, UN peacekeeping missions have been fundamental in preventing conflicts and maintaining stability in various regions. However, their effectiveness is often at stake due to operational constraints, lack of funding, and limited authority to enforce peace. In some cases, peacekeepers have been accused of failing to protect civilians, as witnessed in Rwanda, where they did not operate in order to avoid the genocide (1994). It is clear the need for stronger peacekeeping mandates, quicker deployment capabilities, and greater political cooperation among member states in order to be more efficient in conflict prevention and conflict resolution.
Nonetheless, UN’s agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have significantly contributed to global health and development. Not to consider the development of the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, which raised some contradictions: on one side, the 15-year plans provide a roadmap to follow, actually supported strategies and helped reduce poverty, and improve global development. On the other, both plans were criticised because seen as an imposition on the Global South(GS), a continuation of colonial legacy which sees the GS as in need of Western countries, also economically dominant countries assume that development only proceeds through their methods, forcing a capitalist systems that will eventually contribute again to the rise of poverty.
To enhance its effectiveness, the UN must undergo substantial reforms. The Security Council must be restructured to better reflect contemporary power dynamics, potentially expanding permanent membership or revising veto mechanisms. As it is now, it does not respond to global interests and needs, but rather to the economic and political interests of member states. Also, strengthening partnerships with regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector could enhance its impact on local and regional level, by being sure to follow interests of local communities and address their needs.
While the UN remains an indispensable platform for multilateral diplomacy, its current structure and operational mechanisms require urgent reforms to meet 21st-century challenges effectively. If it fails to adapt, its relevance may continue to wane in an increasingly multipolar world. The international community must push for a UN that is more efficient, accountable, and reflective of contemporary global realities. However, the relevance of the General Assembly remains intact, allowing minorities or historically marginalised people to raise their voices and be known, and considering that allows regional rivals or enemies to sit down and have a conversation.
By The European Institute for International Relations
