{"id":4311,"date":"2026-10-22T04:14:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T04:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/?p=4311"},"modified":"2026-10-27T04:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:27:25","slug":"un-security-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/un-security-council\/","title":{"rendered":"UN SECURITY COUNCIL"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote>\n<table style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>SYLLABUS: International Relations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>General Studies \u2013 : II <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>IN NEWS: We need to recreate the UN &#8211; 81 years show why it\u2019s worth the effort<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>QUESTION: <\/b><b>In an increasingly fragmented world order, critically examine the continuing relevance of the United Nations in promoting international peace, cooperation and effective global governance. (15 Marks, 250 words)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>ANSWER: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Established in 1945, the United Nations (UN) remains the cornerstone of multilateralism. However, growing geopolitical rivalries, unilateralism, regional conflicts and minilateral groupings have challenged its authority. Despite these developments, its universal legitimacy, norm-setting role and capacity for collective action sustain its relevance.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Continuing Relevance of the United Nations<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b> Promoting International Peace and Security<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Conflict resolution and peacekeeping:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> UN peacekeeping and mediation have facilitated conflict resolution and political transitions in countries such as Namibia, Timor-Leste and Mozambique.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Preventive diplomacy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The UN provides a permanent institutional platform for dialogue between adversarial nations, helping prevent escalation and encouraging negotiated settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Collective security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the UNSC can authorise sanctions and enforcement measures to address threats to international peace.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Strengthening International Cooperation<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Humanitarian assistance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP provide critical support to refugees and conflict-affected populations. Eg. Humanitarian relief during the Gaza and Sudan crises.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global health cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO and UNICEF have supported polio eradication efforts, immunisation programmes and coordinated responses to Ebola and COVID-19.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sustainable development and climate action:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The MDGs and SDGs established common development priorities, while the UN framework facilitated the Montreal Protocol and Paris Agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Human rights protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights conventions have established common standards for dignity, equality and fundamental freedoms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li><b> Ensuring Effective Global Governance<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inclusive representation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The 193-member UN General Assembly provides developing countries and smaller nations a voice in international decision-making, unlike limited-membership groupings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>International legal framework: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UN Charter establishes principles of sovereign equality, peaceful dispute settlement and prohibition of the unlawful use of force.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Governance of emerging challenges:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Th<\/span><b>e 2024 Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reflect the UN&#8217;s efforts to address digital inequality, artificial intelligence and emerging global risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> Institutional Limitations: A Critical Examination<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite its contributions, the UN faces a widening gap between its normative authority and operational effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inability to prevent conflicts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prolonged conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Yemen expose the limitations of collective security when major powers have competing strategic interests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deadlock due to Veto Power:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The P5&#8217;s veto powers frequently obstruct timely decisions, weakening the UNSC&#8217;s ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Representational deficit:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> UNSC permanent membership reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, excluding emerging powers such as India and permanent representation from Africa and Latin America.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Selective enforcement of international law:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inconsistent responses to violations of sovereignty and humanitarian law undermine institutional credibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial and operational constraints: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funding shortages, bureaucratic duplication and dependence on voluntary contributions affect humanitarian and developmental programmes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fragmentation of multilateralism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The increasing reliance on regional and minilateral arrangements reflects dissatisfaction with the UN&#8217;s decision-making mechanisms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Critical Assessment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The UN&#8217;s limitations arise partly from the conflicting interests of its member States rather than institutional design alone. While groupings such as the G20 and BRICS can complement multilateral cooperation, they cannot fully substitute for the UN&#8217;s universal membership, comprehensive mandate and international legal authority.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> Way Forward: Towards Reformed Multilateralism<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Democratise the UNSC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expand permanent and non-permanent representation, particularly for Africa, Latin America and emerging powers such as India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reform veto practices:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Encourage voluntary veto restraint during mass atrocities and strengthen accountability through<\/span><b> UNGA Resolution 76\/262.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthen institutional functioning<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Implement the <\/span><b>UN80 Initiative <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to streamline administrative structures, reduce duplication and improve resource utilisation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Balance competing reform priorities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reconcile the Global North&#8217;s emphasis on institutional efficiency with the Global South&#8217;s demands for equitable representation and participation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Build political consensus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Pursue reforms that enhance legitimacy while ensuring continued cooperation from major powers, essential for effective collective security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>The UN&#8217;s record reflects a paradox:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> substantial achievements in development, humanitarian assistance and global norm-setting, alongside persistent limitations in maintaining international peace. However, these shortcomings strengthen the case for reform rather than replacement. A more representative, accountable and effective UN remains essential for sustaining multilateralism in a fragmented world order.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<blockquote><p><b>PYQ REFERENCE UPSC 2025<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q. \u201cThe reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.\u201d Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (15 Marks, 250 Words)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>SOURCE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/shashi-tharoor-we-need-to-recreate-the-un-81-years-on-10930605\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/shashi-tharoor-we-need-to-recreate-the-un-81-years-on-10930605\/<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SYLLABUS: International Relations General Studies \u2013 : II Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. &nbsp; IN NEWS: 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