The United Nations’ Functioning and Its Relevance to the Member States
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The United Nations (UN) is the leading inter-governmental organization that still holds great power over issues of global governance, diplomacy, and international cooperation. The UN was created in 1945 and its main goal is to maintain international peace and security, and promote human rights and Socio-economic development. Thereupon, through the decades, the UN has addressed challenges and has adapted to the emergence of new threats to international peace and security, such as climate change, terrorism, pandemics, and all phenomena related to sustainable development. Nevertheless, despite its advantages in delivering diplomacy and humanitarian aid, the UN has been constantly criticized for inefficiency, bureaucracy, and disproportionate power to global leadership in keeping with the Security Council permanent members interests. UN is in need of restructuring to straighten its goals with its activities since the world of 1945 was very different from the world in the 21st century. Many of the structures and processes of the UN reflect a bygone era change that have happened in the last 65 years. Nicola-Ann Hardwick explains that reform of the United Nations is a much-debated subject constantly on the UN agenda as a necessary waiting in order to strengthen the UN’s effectiveness as a multilateral organization, bring more transparency to the institution and enhance its credibility. He also mentions that the main focus is on the reform of the Security Council (SC), as this is the most powerful UN institution with the most potential for bringing change. The present study aims to provide a critical performance-based assessment of the UN’s organizational structure, governance processes, and efficiency in managing global crises. Furthermore, the UN’s benefits and drawbacks, its structural reform needs for boosting governance efficiency and relevance to world challenges in the 21st century, will be evaluated. With reference to recent literature and empirical materials, this article provides a comprehensive review of the UN’s important role in contemporary international relations, assessing its impact on member states and identifying potential measures for continued success and effectiveness.
Author: Arakaza Dionise
Institution: Université du Burundi
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409053330