UN at 80 – Decline of Global Governance and Rise of New Multilateralism

 Syllabus: International Relations

 Source: IE

Context: As the United Nations turns 80, concerns grow over its diminishing relevance in maintaining peace and security. While Ban Ki-Moon calls for urgent reform, thinkers like argue that the UN’s original purpose has eroded, and that a new multilateralism is essential for a multipolar world order.

Background

Founded in 1945 after World War II to prevent future wars, the UN began with 51 members and now has 193, symbolising near-universal membership. Yet its dual structure—“one nation, one vote” coupled with the P-5 veto—has created an enduring imbalance between democratic equality and power privilege.

Major Successes of the UN

1. Peacekeeping and conflict resolution – Over 70 peacekeeping missions since 1948 reduced conflict in Bosnia (1990s), Cambodia (1992) and Mozambique (1994).
   Eg: The UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) restored democracy and oversaw successful elections in 1993.
2. Humanitarian and development assistance – Bodies like WFP, WHO, UNICEF and UNHCR deliver vital food, health and refugee support.
   Eg: During the 2023 Sudan crisis, WFP fed nearly 6 million displaced people amid famine risk.
3. Global norm-building – Key instruments like UDHR (1948), Paris Climate Agreement (2015) and SDGs (2015) established shared frameworks for rights and sustainability.
   Eg: India’s National SDG Index (NITI Aayog) tracks local implementation of global goals.
4. Nuclear non-proliferation – The UN facilitated NPT (1968), CTBT (1996) and mediated the North Korea nuclear freeze (1994).
   Eg: IAEA monitoring under UN auspices has slowed Iran’s weaponisation efforts.
5. Diplomatic platform for small nations – Provides equal visibility to smaller or developing states.
   Eg: Small island states like Fiji and Tuvalu used UN platforms to push climate-loss compensation at COP-28.

Persistent Challenges and Failures

1. Veto paralysis – The P-5 veto obstructs consensus; Russia (161 vetoes) and the US (95) block accountability on crises.
   Eg: In 2024, Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire.
2. Selective human-rights enforcement – States with poor rights records often head UN committees, reducing credibility.
   Eg: In 2023, Iran chaired a UN Human Rights Social Forum even amid domestic crackdowns.
3. Failure to prevent conflicts – Inability to stop wars in Rwanda (1994), Iraq (2003), Syria (2011-), and Ukraine (2022-) exposes core weakness.
   Eg: UN peacekeepers’ passive role during Rwanda’s genocide led to 800,000 deaths despite prior warnings.
4. Reform fatigue and apathy – Declining global engagement, with only 43 heads of government attending UNGA-2025.
   Eg: Neither Xi Jinping nor Vladimir Putin has attended the UNGA more than once in the last decade.
5. Unrealistic reform models – Expansion of permanent members or abolition of veto lacks consensus among major blocs.
   Eg: The G-4 proposal (India, Germany, Japan, Brazil) remains stalled for 20 years.

Rise of a New Multilateralism

1. Shift to multipolarity – Power diffusion across Asia, Africa and Latin America challenges Western-centric governance.
   Eg: India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and BRICS+ reflect growing southern coalitions.
2. Issue-based coalitions – Flexible forums like G-20, Quad, and BRICS address climate, health, and trade where UN stagnates.
   Eg: The G-20 Delhi Declaration (2023) reached consensus on digital public infrastructure and debt relief, unlike UN forums.
3. Networked global governance – Multilayered cooperation among regional and functional institutions replaces UN centrality.
   Eg: ASEAN’s Regional Forum and AU’s Peace and Security Council now manage local crises more effectively than the UN.

India’s Vision and Role

1. Reformed multilateralism – India advocates a democratic and representative UN, echoing its G-20 Presidency (2023) call for “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
2. Developmental diplomacy – Initiatives like International Solar Alliance, CDRI, and Vaccine Maitri link technology and humanitarianism.
3. Voice of the Global South – Hosted the Global South Summit (2023) to shape equitable global decision-making.
4. Strategic autonomy and norm-setting – Balances relations across blocs while promoting human-centric globalisation.

Way Forward

1. Pragmatic reform – Prioritise transparency, financial accountability, and restraint on veto use rather than mere expansion.
   Eg: The France-Mexico proposal (2015) for voluntary veto suspension in mass-atrocity cases can be revived.
2. Regional empowerment – Strengthen AU, ASEAN, SAARC-plus and other regional security frameworks for faster conflict response.
3. Functional multilateralism – Build coalitions around specific issues like climate finance, pandemic preparedness, and AI governance.
4. Inclusive global governance – Rebalance power toward the Global South; integrate Agenda 2030 goals into trade and finance regimes.
5. Leadership for a new charter – Like Roosevelt-Churchill’s Atlantic Charter (1941) birthed the UN, new visionary statesmen must design a framework for the 21st century’s multipolar order.

Conclusion

The UN today mirrors the League of Nations’ decay in the 1930s. Rather than clinging to obsolete structures, nations must reimagine multilateralism anchored in accountability, inclusivity, and shared responsibility. The call is not to abandon global governance but to reinvent it—transforming the UN’s legacy into a new cooperative order suited for today’s realities.