The United Nations (UN) faces challenges in maintaining global peace and relevance in 2025. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 brought into light the UN’s inability to act decisively due to veto powers held by permanent Security Council members. This issue, coupled with financial constraints and political pressures, has exposed weaknesses in the organisation’s structure and operations.
Veto Power and Its Impact
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—hold veto power. This allows any one of them to block resolutions unilaterally. While intended to prevent major powers from conflict, it has often paralyzed the UN during crises. Examples include Russia’s actions in Ukraine, China’s stance on Tibet, and Western interventions in Latin America and Africa. This veto system remains the UN’s greatest structural flaw.
Financial Dependence and Budget Cuts
The UN relies heavily on funding from member states, with the United States contributing about 22 per cent of the 2024 budget. However, political changes, especially under the Trump presidency, have pressured the US to reduce its financial support drastically. Proposed budget cuts for 2026 include an 83.7 per cent reduction in US foreign spending and an 87 per cent cut in UN financing. Other nations also lag in paying dues, further straining resources. These financial challenges threaten the UN’s ability to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Operational Reforms and Efficiency
In response to these pressures, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the UN80 reform plan. This initiative aims to streamline operations by cutting thousands of jobs and reducing the core budget by up to 20 per cent. Despite these efforts, critics argue that reforms are insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues of inefficiency and political influence. The debate continues on whether the UN should relocate its headquarters closer to conflict zones to better understand and respond to crises.
Role in Global Peace and Security
Since its founding in 1945, the UN’s main achievement has been preventing a third world war. However, ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions suggest that a new form of global warfare is underway. The UN’s peacekeeping missions have often failed to stop violence in places like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. Calls for a debugged UN emphasise the need for more courage and leadership to adapt to modern challenges and protect humanity effectively.
Global Perception and Future Prospects
Despite its flaws, many experts believe the world would be less safe without the UN. It plays a critical role in humanitarian aid, international law, and sustainable development. Yet, its future depends on reforming the veto system, securing stable funding, and increasing operational transparency. The organisation must evolve to meet the demands of a multipolar world and shifting geopolitical realities.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the impact of the United Nations Security Council veto power on global peacekeeping efforts with suitable examples.
- Analyse the role of financial contributions by major powers in shaping the effectiveness of international organisations like the United Nations and suggest reforms.
- Examine the challenges faced by the United Nations in conflict resolution and peacekeeping in the 21st century. How can operational reforms improve its performance?
- Discuss in the light of changing global geopolitics, the relevance of the United Nations in maintaining international order and the need for its restructuring.
