'Not something to celebrate': As it turns 80 and faces dwindling global clout, can the UN survive？
apnews.com
The United Nations will mark its 80th anniversary this month but there’s little to celebrate. Its clout on the world stage is diminished.

The United Nations, a collaborative global dream built into reality out of the ashes of World War II, marks its 80th anniversary this month. There’s little to celebrate.

Its clout on the world stage is diminished. Facing major funding cuts from the United States and others, it has been forced to shed jobs and start tackling long-delayed reforms. Its longtime credo of “multilateralism” is under siege. Its most powerful body, the Security Council, has been blocked from taking action to end the two major wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

And as the latest conflict between Israel, Iran and the United States flared, it watched from the sidelines.

Four generations after its founding, as it tries to chart a new path for its future, a question hangs over the institution and the nearly 150,000 people it employs and oversees: Can the United Nations remain relevant in an increasingly contentious and fragmented world?

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    1·
    9 hours ago

    The UN serves as a forum for all countries of the world. If no privileges were given to the world’s most powerful countries, they might just leave it, severaly reducing its use in the process.

    And? You can see powerful countries abusing veto powers and that in no way should be on the human rights councils. If these countries refuse to uphold global standards, they’re not in, and can be prosecuted.

    • Danquebec@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      8 hours ago

      I don’t think a membre of the security council csn really “abuse” veto power. What do you think would happen if they couldn’t?

      Again, I’d like to say that there can be value in such an association. Just as I see value in associations like ICC and NATO. They’re just not a forum to solve disputes and that’s OK.