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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UNITED NATIONS

AS A WORLD ORGANISATION
The predecessor of the United Nations, the League of Nations, was conceived after World War I, and
established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and
to achieve peace and security." The global response to the First World War prompted the
establishment of an international body aimed at addressing conflicts and preventing warfare.
There was widespread optimism that such an organization could avert future wars.
Consequently, the League of Nations was formed. Despite an auspicious start, it proved
ineffective in preventing the Second World War (1939-45), which resulted in a significantly
higher number of casualties compared to the previous conflict. In the aftermath of World War
II, the United Nations (UN) was founded as the successor to the League of Nations.

ORIGIN OF THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION

The United Nations formally came into existence on 24 October 1945, with 51 countries
considered founding Members. By the end of 2008, the membership of the UN had grown to
192 countries. The United Nations is a unique organization of independent countries that have
come together to work for world peace and social progress. The idea of the United Nations
was born during World War II (1939-1945). World leaders who had collaborated to end the
war felt a strong need for a mechanism that would help bring peace and stop future
wars. They realized that this was possible only if all nations worked together through a
global organization. The United Nations was to be that Organization.

The UN is guided by the principles which were established in its founding charters.
The name United Nations was coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
A document. It was first officially used in 1942, when representatives of 26 countries
signed the Declaration by United Nations. The UN Conference on International
Organization held in San Francisco, culminated in the United Nations Charter of 1945
which serves as the foundational treaty of United Nations.

The Preserve Charter with nineteen chapters, 111 articles came into
peace force on 24th October 1945. It was decided to
Develop locate UN Headquarters in New York. The
friendly
relations Eliminate Norwegian foreign minister, Tryger Lie was
among war
nations appointed as the first UN Secretary-General.
AIMS OF
THE UN STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION
Encouraging
economic, social, Remove The United Nations primarily has six main
educational, causes of
scientific and conflict
organs through which the work of UN is
cultural progress
carried out. All these organs are based at UN
safeguard
rights of all
individuals
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Headquarters in New York, except for the International Court of Justice, which is located at
The Hague, Netherlands. Related to the United Nations are 15 specialized agencies that
coordinate their work with the UN but are separate, autonomous organizations. They work in
areas as diverse as health, agriculture, telecommunications and weather. In addition, there
are 24 programmes, funds and other bodies with responsibilities in specific fields. These
bodies, together with the UN proper and its specialized programmes, compose the United
Nations system.

The General Assembly is the only organ in which all the 193 members are represented. It is
primarily a delibrative, supervisory
and reviewing organ of the United The
Nations. Its function is to discuss and General
Assembly
make decisions about international
problems, to consider the UN budget The
The UN
and what amount each member Security
Secretariat
Council
should pay, to elect the Security
Council members and to supervise Principal
Organs of
the work of the many other UN
the United
bodies. The Security Council sits in
Nations
permanent session and its function is The The
to deal with crises as they arise, by International Economic
Court of and Social
whatever action seems appropriate, Justice Council
and if necessary by calling on
The
members to take economic or Trusteeship
military action against an aggressor. Council
The Security Council is made up of
fifteen member states, consisting of five permanent veto powers—China, France, Russia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States—and ten non-permanent members elected for two-
year terms by the General Assembly on a regional basis. The ECOSOC serves as the primary
organization for coordinating, reviewing policies, engaging in policy discussions, and making
recommendations regarding economic, social, and environmental matters. Additionally, it
plays a key role in implementing globally agreed-upon development objectives. In 1945,
when the United Nations was established, there were eleven territories (mostly in Africa and
in the Pacific Ocean) that were placed under international supervision. The major goals of
the Trusteeship Council were to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust
Territories and their progressive development towards self-government or independence.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was established in 1945 and assumed its functions in
1946 as the main UN organ for handing down legal judgments. Only countries, not
individuals, can take cases before the Court. The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-
General, consists of an international staff working at the United Nations Headquarters in
New York, and all over the world. It carries out the day-to-day work of the Organization. The
UN family comprises of the 6 main organs and many affiliated programmes, funds, and
specialized agencies, all with their own membership, leadership, and budget.
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UN’s CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD

Ensuring Peace and Security :

• Peacekeeping Operations - UN deploys peacekeeping missions to areas affected by conflict
to restore situations back to near normal. Peacekeepers are often deployed in post-conflict
situations to help with the implementation of peace agreements and the rebuilding of
institutions. UN has also acted several times as the mediator in crises. The first-ever treaty to
combat genocide was introduced in the form of the Genocide Convention 1948 to prevent
and punish the actions of genocide.
• Prevent Nuclear Proliferation and Facilitating disarmament - UN plays a crucial role in the
global efforts towards disarmament, aiming to reduce and eliminate weapons on an
international scale. The UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) is a deliberative body that
meets annually to consider disarmament-related issues along with the efforts of the General
Assembly which addresses the issue through resolutions. UN has a specific focus on nuclear
disarmament and various arms control treaties like Chemical Weapons Convention(1997),
the Mine-Ban Convention(1997) and the Arms Trade Treaty(2014). The International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) also serves to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy while
preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and facilitating international cooperation in the
peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Protection of Human Rights :

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, the
UDHR is a foundational document that sets out a common understanding of the
fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled. It has made UN Human
Rights bodies throw light on the plight of the tortured.
• Promotion of Democracy – By strenthening the spirit of democracy, the UN aims to develop
an environment of equality. It has assisted many nations like Cambodia, El Salvador, South
Africa, Burundi, Nepal, Iraq, Sudan, etc., to participate in free and fair elections.
• Promotion of Gender Equality - The UN emphasizes the importance of gender equality and
women's rights. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) is a key instrument in this regard.

Economic Development :

• Promoting development – UN works for promoting living standards of people by setting up

Sustainable Development Goals. The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
includes 17 SDGs, which address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental
challenges. Goals such as ending poverty, ensuring good health and well-being, and
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promoting decent work and economic growth underscore the UN's commitment to fostering
inclusive and sustainable economic development. The United Nations Development
Programme provides technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building support to
countries, focusing on areas such as poverty reduction, job creation, and sustainable
economic policies. African Development is still one of the major focus areas of many UN
Projects. In fact, it receives 36 per cent of UN system expenditures for its development.
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): UNCTAD focuses on
trade and development issues, aiming to integrate developing countries into the global
economy in a fair and sustainable manner.
• International agencies like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank work
closely with the UN and provide financial assistance to developing countries and has
supported more than 12,000 projects in more than 170 countries since 1947.
• Efforts to eliminate Hunger - The Food and Agriculture Organization works to improve food
security and promote sustainable agriculture, contributing to economic development in rural
areas. It provides support for agricultural practices that enhance productivity, reduce
poverty, and ensure food access.
• Finding solutions to Global Problems – UN acts like a global think tank bringing a platform to
discuss and solve global issues. It is also at the core of research of the global figures. The UN
Population Division, UN Statitics division are some examples. Many of its reports like the
World Economic and Social Survey serve as an important input to major decisions by
policymakers.

Social Development :

• Preserving Rich History And Cultural Heritage – United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization promotes social development through its focus on education, culture,
and the sciences. It supports initiatives to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality
education, preserve cultural heritage, and foster scientific cooperation. This has helped 137
countires to protect ancient monuments and historically important sites.
• UN Women: UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
It supports initiatives to eliminate discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against
women.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): The ILO addresses social development through its
focus on decent work and social justice. It sets international labor standards, promotes
workers' rights, and works to eliminate child labor and forced labor.

Protection of Environment :

• United Nations Environemnt Programme (UNEP) – UN has a dedicated agency called the
UNEP that sets global environment agaenda, promotes coherent implementation of
environment-oriented sustainable development, and serves as an authoratative advocate for
the global environment.
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• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
adopted by all UN Member States, includes 17 SDGs. Goal 13 specifically focuses on climate
action, while other goals, such as Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and
Clean Energy), and Goal 15 (Life on Land), also contribute to environmental protection.

• Steering the World through Climate Change – Certain issues are global in nature and require
cooperation and collective efforts from all countries around the globe. UN has, since a
number of decades, focused heavily on Climate Change Conventions like –

Established in 1988, The UN framework an international

FACILITY
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
IPCC

UNFCCC
Inter-governmental Comvention on Climate financial institution
Panel on Climate Change and its annual that provides funding
Change brings together Conference of the to address global
climate change Parties (COP) meetings environmental issues.
scientists who assess bring countries together It was established in
the scientific, technical to discuss and negotiate 1991 as a partnership
and socio-economic international efforts to among various
information relevant combat climate change countries,
and help countries
for the understanding international
adapt to its effects.The
risl of the human- institutions and NGOs.
Paris Agreement (2015)
induced climate is a landmark accord
change. under the UNFCCC.

• Protecting the Ozone Layer – The UNEP has played an instrumental role in bringing about
the issue of Ozone layer depletion to light. IN 1985 the Vienna Convention for the
protection of the Ozone Layer highlighted the need to create regulatory measures for
international reductions in the production of Chlorofluorocarbons. The Montreal Protocol
(1987) became a decisive agreement ratified by member countries to protect the ozone by
eliminating the use of ozone depleting substances such as CFCs and halons. The Kigali
Agreement further pushed down the production of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) worldwide.

Guardian of International Law and Humanitarian Aid :

• Settling International Disputes - International Court of Justice has acted as a major body to
settle disputes involving the question of territory, borders, maritime boundaries, diplomatic
relations, use of force, etc. The International Court of Justice plays a crucial role in promoting
the rule of law at the international level and contributes to the peaceful resolution of
disputes between states.
• Prosecuting War Criminals - The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the world's
first permanent court to investigate, prosecute, and try individuals accused of genocide, war
crimes, and crimes against humanity and to impose prison sentences upon individuals who
are found guilty of such crimes. UN Tribunals established in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia
have played a major role in prosecuting war criminals, thus expanding international
humanitarian law.
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• Dealing with international crime - The UN has various agencies and funds that combat
international crime. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a key UN agency
dedicated to addressing a wide range of transnational threats, including drug trafficking,
organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, and terrorism. UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), also known as the Palermo Convention, this treaty,
adopted in 2000, is a landmark instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime.
It includes protocols addressing specific forms of organized crime, such as human trafficking,
migrant smuggling, and firearms trafficking. The Security Council, through various
resolutions, has established measures to counter the financing of terrorism, prevent the
spread of weapons of mass destruction, and strengthen international legal frameworks to
prosecute terrorists.
• UN Agencies in Humanitarian Aid: Various UN agencies play key roles in delivering
humanitarian aid. For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) provides food assistance
combating hunger, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
focuses on child protection and well-being.
• Relief work for Refugees : UN Agencies like the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) advocate for the rights of refugees under international law, preventing refoulement
and promoting durable solutions for refugees. It provides emergency assistance to refugees
and works towards durable solutions for them.

Promotion of Healthy living :

• World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO is the primary UN agency responsible for
global health. It sets international health standards, provides technical assistance to
countries, conducts research, and coordinates responses to health emergencies. The WHO's
work covers a wide range of health issues, including communicable diseases, non-
communicable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, and health system
strengthening.
• Vaccination and Immunization Programs: The UN, through agencies like UNICEF and the
WHO, plays a significant role in supporting global vaccination and immunization efforts. This
includes initiatives to ensure the availability and distribution of vaccines, especially in low-
income countries.
• Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: The Global Fund is a partnership
between governments, civil society, and the private sector that provides funding to programs
aimed at preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The UN supports and
collaborates with the Global Fund in its efforts to combat these major infectious diseases.
• Eradicating Smallpox and Poliomyelitis : World Health Organisation has efforted to officially
declare small pox eradicated from the Planet in 1980 and Poliomyelitis eliminated from
almost all countries except Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan as a part of Global Polio
Eradication Initiative.

The UN's significance lies in its ability to bring together nations to address common concerns, foster
international cooperation, and work towards a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Its
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importance is multifaceted, involving vital roles in international peace and security, human rights
advocacy, humanitarian aid, long-term development, and other areas. The United Nations acts as a
platform for states to engage in discourse, seek diplomatic solutions to crises, and jointly address
global concerns. addresses a wide variety of concerns through its specialised agencies and
programmes, from public health and education to environmental preservation and the prevention of
mass crimes. The organisation is critical in establishing international standards, maintaining legal
framework conformity, and promoting democracy.

While recognising the UN's accomplishments, it is important to acknowledge that the organisation
confronts ongoing problems, such as geopolitical conflicts, resource restrictions, and the changing
nature of global concerns. However, UN's importance remains crucial in a world dominated by
interrelated concerns. As the international community grapples with difficult challenges such as
climate change, poverty, and conflict, the United Nations acts as a key player in encouraging
discourse, developing policy, and mobilising collective action. The UN will continue to be relevant as
long as its significance stems from its dedication to the shared goals of peace, human rights, and
sustainable development, with the goal of creating a better future for all nations and peoples.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Lowe, Norman. 2013. Mastering Modern World History. 5th ed.

Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• United Nations. 2023. “About Us” Un.org. 2023. https://un.org.
• Bailey, Sydney D. 1989. United Nations. Macmillan.
• Doe, John. 2020. The United Nations: A Global Force for Good. New York:
Oxford University Press.