“Not a reason to celebrate: As the UN turns 80 and loses influence, can it keep going?”
United Nations Turns 80 — Facing Challenges and Questions About Its Future
The United Nations (UN) was created 80 years ago after World War II as a hopeful effort for countries to work together and avoid future wars. But today, there’s little to celebrate. The UN’s influence in global affairs has weakened. With big funding cuts from the United States and other countries, it has had to cut jobs and start making long-overdue changes. Its core idea of countries cooperating together is under threat. The Security Council, the UN’s most powerful group, has been stuck and unable to act on major conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. And as tensions rise between Israel, Iran, and the US, the UN has mostly watched from the sidelines.
After four generations, the UN and the nearly 150,000 people it employs face a big question: Can the UN stay important in a world that is more divided and full of conflicts? Can it even survive?
Born from Hope
The UN was founded on June 26, 1945, by 50 countries with one main goal: to prevent future wars and protect future generations. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently reminded everyone that the UN has helped prevent a third world war—at least so far.
But wars continue in places like Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, and now between Iran and Israel. Millions of people suffer from these conflicts and poverty, even as rich countries cut back on aid.
The UN is planning to mark its 80th anniversary on June 26 with events and an exhibition showing the original UN Charter from 1945. Still, many diplomats at the UN headquarters in New York feel worried about the future. They are especially concerned about a review of the UN by the US government and ongoing budget cuts that have forced a 20% reduction in UN jobs. Kazakhstan’s UN Ambassador said this anniversary is "not something to celebrate" because countries can’t agree on many important issues.
A Changing World and a Growing UN
Back in 1945, only 50 mostly European and Latin American countries joined the UN. Now there are 193 members, with many from Africa and Asia. The world has changed a lot too — with computers, satellites, and global communication.
The UN has grown into a huge organization, with over 133,000 staff working in many areas like peacekeeping, helping refugees, fighting hunger, and promoting human rights.
Some experts credit the UN with helping keep global peace overall and protecting small countries from being taken over by neighbors. The UN has run 71 peacekeeping missions in places like Angola, Cambodia, and Sierra Leone, which have been praised. Specialized agencies also do important work, such as helping hungry children or monitoring nuclear safety.
Guterres told the Security Council that the UN is still a unique and important place to work toward peace, development, and human rights.
What Does the UN Actually Do?
Every September, world leaders meet at the General Assembly to discuss global issues. Diplomats meet daily to debate problems like wars, climate change, and equality. Sometimes they achieve little, and sometimes their successes go unnoticed.
The Security Council is the only place where Russia and Ukraine argue about the war, and where Palestinians and Israelis face off. But the council is often stuck and unable to agree on important actions.
Some critics say the UN is struggling. A former US ambassador called it “probably in the worst shape it’s been.” The organization faces divisions among its most powerful members, especially between Russia and China on one side, and the US, Britain, and France on the other.
Others see the UN as a place where lots of important behind-the-scenes diplomacy and even intelligence work happens, simply because it’s based in New York.
What’s Next for the UN?
Guterres has started major reforms and got approval from member countries for a plan called the “Pact for the Future” to help the UN tackle modern global problems together.
The next UN Secretary-General, to take office in 2027, will likely have to make the organization smaller and more efficient. But big changes need agreement from many countries, which is hard.
Some experts think China will grow more influential in the UN because of recent US cuts to funding and support.
Despite all the challenges, many believe the UN remains important and unique because it represents nearly every country in the world.
One of the biggest debates is about expanding the Security Council to include more countries, especially from Africa and Latin America.
A respected former ambassador believes the UN will survive because its founders cleverly gave big powers veto rights, preventing the organization from collapsing like the League of Nations before it.
He believes the UN will last far longer than all of us.
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