United Nations

31.10.2025

1. United Nations

Context

In 2025, the United Nations (UN) marked its 80th anniversary, eight decades since its founding in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II. Created to prevent another global conflict and uphold peace, the organisation has evolved into a central platform addressing 21st-century challenges such as climate change, digital governance, sustainable development, and humanitarian crises.

Evolution of the UN

• Foundation and Early Years:
   Established on October 24, 1945, by 51 nations, the UN’s founding reflected post-war realities, with five permanent Security Council members (US, UK, Russia, France, and China) granted veto power. Its mission centred on peacekeeping, diplomacy, and human rights promotion.
• Cold War Period:
   During the Cold War, the UN became an arena for ideological confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union. Despite superpower rivalry, it succeeded in mediating regional disputes and launched its first peacekeeping operations.
• Post–Cold War Transformation:
   After 1990, the organisation expanded its agenda to include humanitarian intervention, global governance, and development. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 strengthened its focus on inclusive growth, climate action, and ethical technology use.

India’s Role and Global Engagement

• Founding Partner and Peacekeeper:
   India, a founding member, contributed significantly to drafting the UN Charter and has been one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions in Asia and Africa — reinforcing its image as a responsible global actor.
• Voice for Reform:
   India continues to advocate for Security Council reform, seeking greater representation for emerging powers and the Global South. It argues that the Council’s composition must reflect present geopolitical realities, not those of 1945.
• Soft Power Diplomacy:
   Through initiatives like the International Day of Yoga, Vaccine Maitri, and leadership in renewable energy and climate diplomacy, India promotes the UN’s ideals of cooperation, equity, and sustainable progress.

Relevance in the 21st Century

• Humanitarian Leadership:
   UN agencies such as WHO, WFP, and UNHCR play a vital role in crisis response, from disaster relief to refugee assistance and global health emergencies.
• Standard-Setting Role:
   The UN continues to set global benchmarks through instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and conventions on refugees, gender equality, and child protection.
• Forum for Diplomacy:
   It remains the only universal platform where nations, including adversaries, engage to address transnational issues such as climate change, disarmament, and artificial intelligence ethics.

Key Challenges

• Structural Imbalance:
   The Security Council’s composition, unchanged since 1945, undermines its legitimacy. Exclusion of major economies such as India, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa fuels demands for reform.
• Decline of Multilateralism:
   The resurgence of nationalism and unilateralism among major powers has weakened collective decision-making.
• Funding and Veto Constraints:
   Chronic financial shortfalls and frequent use of veto power delay responses to humanitarian crises, eroding public trust in the UN’s effectiveness.
• Institutional Inertia:
   A bureaucratic and centralised system limits the organisation’s ability to respond quickly to modern threats like pandemics, cyber warfare, and misinformation.

Way Forward

• Inclusive Reform:
   Expanding permanent membership and reducing veto misuse can restore balance and credibility to the Security Council.
• Modernisation and Transparency:
   Leveraging artificial intelligence and digital tools for faster crisis management and financial accountability can enhance institutional efficiency.
• Regional Empowerment:
   Strengthening regional offices will allow faster and context-specific humanitarian and peacekeeping action.
• Moral Renewal:
   Reaffirming the UN’s founding ideals :  peace, justice, equality, and impartiality  is essential to rebuild global confidence.

Conclusion

As the UN turns 80, it stands as both a symbol of collective hope and a reflection of global power politics. Despite flaws in structure and decision-making, it remains the world’s most inclusive institution for peace, dialogue, and development. The UN’s future depends on genuine reform, renewed commitment to multilateralism, and shared responsibility, the same ideals that inspired its creation in 1945.