Debate Article This is a debate article, written by an external contributor. The article expresses the writer’s views.
On this day, October 24, on the 79th UN Day, it is particularly important to recognize the significant progress that the UN has made in promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations. The UN’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals has been instrumental in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. However, it is equally important to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and criticisms that the UN faces.
Criticism
One of the main criticisms is the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council, where only one of the permanent members can block a resolution. This has often led to inaction in the face of war, conflicts, and humanitarian crises and has undermined the UN’s effectiveness in maintaining international peace and security. Furthermore, the UN’s bureaucracy and decision-making processes have been criticized for being powerless, slow, and ineffective, often hindering timely responses to new crises. In the absence of a response from the international community, powerful states have often bypassed the UN and established their own solutions such as sanctions and military aid, which have often escalated conflicts to worse outcomes for the majority of people. This has, over time, caused the UN to be perceived as a talking shop for diplomats with no decisive actions.
Change is Needed
Moving into the future, it is crucial that the UN continues to adapt and evolve to meet changing global challenges. This requires strengthening the organization’s capacity to respond to new crises, improving its accountability and transparency, and enhancing partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Therefore, I am pleased that in September of this year, the UN General Assembly adopted the “Future Pact, Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations,” which aims to ensure that the UN system adapts, reforms, and rejuvenates to fit the changes and challenges that the UN faces today. A good step towards a better UN.
An Indispensable Platform
Despite these challenges, the UN remains an indispensable platform for international cooperation and diplomacy. The organization has played a vital role in promoting disarmament, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by conflicts and natural disasters.
As we assess the UN, we should always keep in mind the famous words of former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld:
«The United Nations were not created to bring us to heaven, but to save us from hell.»
Support
As we celebrate UN Day in 2024 on October 25, we must reaffirm our commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. We must acknowledge the progress that has been made, recognize the ongoing challenges, and collaborate to strengthen the UN’s role in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development for all.
It is also fitting to remind ourselves of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s words, who emphasized that «The UN is not a perfect organization, but it is the best tool and perhaps the only one, to meet the challenges of our time.»
As we move forward, let us continue to support the UN’s efforts to promote a more peaceful, just, and equitable world for all.
I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the UN’s work over the years, including diplomats, peacekeepers, humanitarian workers, and countless others who have devoted their lives to promoting peace and development. Their tireless efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of millions of people around the world.
Let us work together to build a brighter future for all, where the horrors of war are relegated to the past and where humanity can thrive in a world of peace, prosperity, and harmony.
Congratulations on the 79th UN Day.
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