80th session of the United Nations General Assembly:
India’s External Affairs Minister addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, highlighting the need for UN reform and India’s readiness to assume greater responsibilities in driving UN reforms.
- The UN often faces paralysis in decision-making due to conflicts, limited resources, and terrorism.
- The veto power held by the five permanent members (P5) allows a single nation to block resolutions, even if the majority supports them, as seen with Russia in Ukraine and the US on Israel-related resolutions.
- The UN Security Council reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, not the 21st century.
- Rising powers like India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan lack permanent membership, while the Global South remains underrepresented, limiting the UN’s legitimacy.
- The UN has struggled to prevent or resolve large-scale conflicts due to internal divisions and weak peacekeeping mandates. Historical failures in Bosnia and Rwanda, and inaction in Syria, Sudan, and Myanmar highlight systemic shortcomings.
- Heavy reliance on a few major donors, especially the US, creates leverage for influencing UN policies and operations, compromising impartiality and global trust.
- The UN’s sprawling bureaucracy slows responses to crises and suffers from corruption, misuse of funds, and misconduct.
- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported 434 new investigations, including procurement fraud and sexual misconduct, undermining credibility.
- Some nations perceive the UN as a threat to sovereignty, arguing that resolutions on climate change, human rights, or immigration can override national interests.
- This criticism challenges the UN’s authority and global acceptance.
- The rise of organizations like the G20, BRICS, and African Union provides alternative, often more agile platforms for international cooperation, bypassing the UN and further highlighting the need for reform.
