Evaluation of the United Nations
Submitted To
Mam Sadia Naz
Submitted By
Shoaib Abbas
Roll No
2517117
Government College University Faisalabad
Introduction
The United Nations (UN) was created in 1945 after World War II. The main goal was to
stop future wars and to build peace and cooperation between countries. Today, the UN
has 193 member countries, making it one of the largest international organizations in the
world. It works in many areas such as keeping peace, helping people in need, fighting
climate change, supporting human rights, and promoting development.
The UN is made up of different parts, each with its own role. These include the General
Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and many other
agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. These bodies work
together to solve global problems.
Structure of the UN
The United Nations is made up of six main organs. Each of these has a specific role
and function that helps the UN carry out its work around the world. Together, they
form the backbone of the organization.
1. The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main decision-making body of the UN. All 193 member
states are part of it, and each country has one vote. The General Assembly discusses
global issues like peace, security, climate change, and development. It meets every year
in September at the UN Headquarters in New York. While it does not have the power to
enforce decisions, it can make recommendations and pass resolutions that reflect the
views of the global community.
Example: In 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. The Security Council
The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It
has 15 members: 5 permanents and 10 non-permanent members. The permanent members
are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These five
countries have veto power, which means any one of them can block a resolution. The 10
non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The
Council can authorize peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, and approve the use of
force in conflict situations.
Example: In 2022, the Security Council passed resolutions related to the war in Ukraine
and authorized humanitarian assistance.
3. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
ECOSOC promotes international economic and social cooperation and development. It
has 54 member states elected for three-year terms. ECOSOC coordinates the work of
many UN specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the
International Labour Organization (ILO), and UNESCO. It works on issues like poverty
reduction, health, education, gender equality, and environmental protection. ECOSOC
also organizes major international forums, such as the High-Level Political Forum
(HLPF) on sustainable development.
4. The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The ICJ is the main judicial body of the UN. It is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and
settles legal disputes between countries according to international law. It also gives legal
advice to the General Assembly and Security Council. The Court has 15 judges elected
for 9-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council. Only countries can
bring cases to the ICJ, not individuals or companies.
Example: The ICJ ruled in 2019 on a border dispute between Bolivia and Chile
regarding access to the sea.
5. The Secretariat
The Secretariat carries out the day-to-day work of the UN. It is led by the Secretary-
General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the
Security Council for a five-year term (renewable). The Secretariat staff is responsible for
research, communication, translation, and organizing UN meetings. It also helps
implement decisions made by other UN bodies.
6. The Trusteeship Council
The Trusteeship Council was created to manage trust territories and help them become
independent countries. It completed its work when the last trust territory, Palau, gained
independence in 1994. Since then, the Trusteeship Council has suspended its operations.
Although it still exists as one of the six main organs of the UN, it is currently inactive.
Achievements of the United Nations
Since its founding in 1945, the United Nations has made many important contributions to
the world. Through its various agencies and programs, the UN has worked to promote
peace, improve health, support human rights, and protect the environment. These
achievements show how the UN has helped millions of people and countries across the
globe.
1. Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution
One of the UN’s biggest achievements is its role in keeping peace around the world.
Since 1948, the UN has deployed over 70 peacekeeping missions in countries affected by
war or civil conflict. These missions help stop violence, support political solutions, and
protect civilians.
Examples:
UN peacekeepers in Namibia (1989–1990) helped the country gain independence
from South Africa.
In Sierra Leone, the UN helped disarm fighters and rebuild the country after a
brutal civil war.
2. Eradication of Diseases and Global Health
The UN, through the World Health Organization (WHO), has made major progress in
improving health and fighting diseases.
Achievements include:
Eradication of smallpox in 1980 – the first disease ever eliminated by global
action.
Reduction of polio cases by more than 99% through the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative.
WHO played a key role in responding to COVID-19, coordinating international
efforts, sharing scientific knowledge, and providing vaccines to poorer countries
through the COVAX program.
3. Promoting Human Rights
The UN has been a strong voice for human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (1948) is one of its most important documents. It sets global standards for
freedom, equality, and justice.
Achievements:
Creation of the Human Rights Council to monitor violations and promote
accountability.
Support for ending apartheid in South Africa and promoting democracy
worldwide.
4. Advancing Education and Culture
Through UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization),
the UN works to improve education, protect cultural heritage, and promote freedom of
expression.
Achievements:
Helped increase global literacy rates through educational programs.
Protected over 1,100 World Heritage Sites, including natural and cultural
landmarks.
Promoted girls’ education in developing countries and supported teachers in war-
torn areas.
5. Child Welfare and Protection
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) has been working
since 1946 to protect children and ensure their well-being.
Key successes include:
Providing clean water, food, education, and vaccines to millions of children.
Reducing child mortality rates through immunization and nutrition programs.
Responding to emergencies like wars and natural disasters by providing shelter,
schooling, and psychological care.
6. Environmental Protection
The UN has taken the lead in global environmental efforts through the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC).
Achievements:
Creation of major global agreements like the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris
Agreement (2015) to combat climate change.
Encouraging countries to switch to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Launching campaigns to protect biodiversity, oceans, and forests.
Challenges and Criticisms of the United Nations
Despite its global role, the UN has faced several criticisms:
1. Bureaucracy: The UN is often slow to respond due to complex procedures and
administrative delays. This affected its response during crises like the 1994 Rwandan
Genocide.
2. Unequal Power Structure: The Security Council's five permanent members (USA,
UK, France, China, Russia) have veto power, often blocking important decisions. For
example, Russia vetoed actions on Ukraine, and China blocked resolutions on human
rights.
3. Failure to Prevent Conflicts: The UN has struggled to stop genocides and wars,
such as in Bosnia (1995) and Syria (ongoing since 2011), due to political divisions
and lack of action.
4. Limited Resources: The UN depends on member state funding. Delayed or
insufficient contributions can hinder peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
5. Lack of Representation: Many countries, especially from Africa and Latin America,
feel underrepresented in the Security Council. Calls for reform include adding
permanent members and limiting the veto.
6. Misconduct Allegations: UN peacekeepers have faced accusations of abuse and
corruption in missions like in the Central African Republic, raising concerns about
accountability.
Role in Sustainable Development
The UN promotes global development through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), launched in 2015 to end poverty, reduce inequality, protect the environment, and
ensure peace by 2030. The UN supports countries by providing data, resources, and
coordination. Progress includes reductions in poverty, improved access to education and
healthcare, and growth in renewable energy use.
However, challenges remain:
Funding shortages, especially in low-income countries
Weak political commitment in some regions
Limited data, making it hard to track progress accurately
The UN continues to encourage international cooperation to achieve the SDGs and create
a sustainable future.
Conclusion
The United Nations continues to be a vital part of global governance. Despite facing
criticism for bureaucracy, unequal power structures, and delays in action, the UN plays a
key role in promoting peace, protecting human rights, and responding to global issues
like climate change and poverty. Its peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid, and
development programs have positively impacted millions of lives. However, to remain
effective in the 21st century, the UN must undergo meaningful reforms—such as
improving transparency, updating the Security Council, and increasing accountability.
Stronger international cooperation is essential for the UN to meet future global challenges
successfully.
