Part I of the Special Series for Global Organization and Function: a collaboration between WGI.WORLD (World Geostrategic Insights) and CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security).
By Sunny Lee – Founder and President at CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security), and Director at IKUPD (Institute for Korea-U.S. Political Development), Washington DC.
The United Nations is the largest and most powerful international organisation, with 193 member states, which deals with global agendas and suggests the best solutions. Although it has no compulsory legal system or practical punishments, its authority shows why global society should follow international norms or standards to explore peace and security.
In particular, the IMF, as a major UN financial agency, works successfully to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all member states. Whenever an economic emergency erupts on a national scale, it gladly supports the promotion of financial stability and monetary cooperation among member states. Korea completely overcame economic collapse in the late 1990s thanks to an IMF bailout and, a few years later, surprisingly became the world’s tenth largest economy in the early 2000s. As an example, the IMF facilitated Korea’s economic miracle and made its potential flourish through highly advanced industrial techniques and a trade system, focusing on international markets.
The WHO is a specialised UN agency responsible for global public health and the largest intergovernmental health organisation. It strives to achieve the highest level of health for all the world’s population, defining complete physical, mental and social well-being by leveraging the core concept of cosmopolitanism with the same quality of health benefits. COVID-19 was a critical case for the control of epidemic and endemic diseases that WHO should fulfil its mission and role to strengthen health, environment and policy on a global scale.
Nevertheless, the UN has highlighted its limitations and obstacles in preventing practical results through compulsory process or reconciliatory interaction. The worst case is the veto power of the permanent members of the UN Security Council: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. It is decidedly contrary to the UN’s goals of justice and compliance with its obligations under treaties and other sources of international law.
The veto power should be abolished and replaced by a decision of the non-permanent members based on majority rule: currently, Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Korea, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland represent each territory. Furthermore, a two-year mandate gives all member states the opportunity to participate in international affairs beyond national interests or the intentional exploitation of other members.
The UN is an intergovernmental organisation that represents the international goals of maintaining peace and developing equal rights among members. But its success should set the premise of a compulsory power based on humanistic value and global peace to achieve its main goals. The UN’s role will be strengthened if five major powers with veto power concede their national interests for equality among member states.
Original Purpose and Obligation
On June 18, 2021, Antonio Guterres was reappointed for a second term, pledging as a priority to continue to help the world emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that the world will inherit the next generation that will be defined by the values enshrined in the UN Charter: peace, justice, respect, human rights and solidarity. He brought the example that “climate finance is not charity, but investment. Climate action is not optional but imperative. Both are essential for a livable world for all humanity and for a prosperous future for every nation on Earth.”
World War I and World War II brought about an inhuman tragedy and a horrific demolition not only of physical conditions but also of human mentality, with enormous and irrecoverable trauma. The world has begun to think about the final resolution with a perspective view, which can surely prevent the coming crisis around the belligerent environment. Moreover, the circumstances of insecurity always trigger malignant symptoms worldwide to annihilate human history itself.
Global society has been exposed to eminent conditions with the grave experience that any maniacal country or dictator can blow up the world with nuclear weapons. Maintaining peace as the main purpose of the United Nations is the most effective way to thwart wars and conflicts. Such an important goal would be exploited by variable agencies, institutions and organizations. The UN is a central place where the nations of the world come together, discuss common problems and share solutions for the benefit of all humanity.
The preamble of the UN Charter describes the four pillars of the UN: peacebuilding, human rights, rule of law and development for justice, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. The UN consists of six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the UN Secretariat. Keeping the peace is the core mission throughout the world, with reciprocal relationship, by encouraging respect for each other’s rights and freedom.
The General Assembly is the decision-making center as the representative body of the UN with 193 member states. Decisions on important issues such as peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly, but other decisions are by simple majority.
The Security Council mostly imposes sanctions with great effectiveness and authorizes the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. In addition, the Economic and Social Council is the central platform of the United Nations for reflection, debate and innovative thinking on sustainable development. It has served as the central mechanism for the activities of the United Nations system and its specialized agencies in the economic, social and environmental fields, overseeing subsidiary bodies and experts.
The Secretariat is composed of the Secretary-General and international staff members of the United Nations mandated by the General Assembly and other principal organs. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Other UN staff members are recruited internationally and locally to work in duty stations and conduct peacekeeping missions around the world. A large number of brave officers have sacrificed their lives while carrying out hazardous occupations in violent and dangerous places.
Prominent Appendages to Enhance the UN’s Mission
The United Nations System includes a multitude of specialized agencies, funds and programs: the IMF, World Bank Group, WHO, World Food Program, UNESCO and UNICEF. As a result of their activities and commitments, not only the UN but also its officials and agencies have won several Nobel Peace Prizes as leaders in peace and human development.
First, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major UN financial agency that promotes economic stability and cooperation, financed by 190 member states. It supported 52 countries in 1997 during the currency crisis in Asia and 66 countries during the 2008 global currency crisis. In addition to Korea, Thailand and Indonesia also went through a currency crisis and achieved economic success thanks to the IMF bailout. However, in 2015 Greece fell into a national default without repayment. Recently, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMF supported many countries with unprecedented financial assistance for economic recovery.
Second, the World Bank Group (WBG), with its 189 member states, is the world’s largest and best-known development bank and an observer of the United Nations Development Group. Notably, the World Bank, along with the IMF and WTO as an international economic troika, has explored its supranational influence. It primarily fights poverty through sustainable solutions and global partnerships with five organizations-BIRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA and ICSID.
WBG’s mission is to achieve the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity with a budget of $100 billion. Its activities also focus on developing countries, such as human development through education and health, environmental protection through pollution reduction, major industrial construction projects and governance, anti-corruption and development of legal institutions.
Third, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for global public health from developed to undeveloped countries. Its core function is to control epidemic, endemic and pandemic diseases and support medical care with international standards for biological products.
WHO has played a leading role globally, such as the eradication of smallpox, the near-eradication of polio, and the development of an Ebola vaccine. Its priorities certainly include communicable diseases with lethal viruses: HIV/AIDS, Ebola, malaria and tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases: heart disease and cancer, healthy diet, nutrition and food security. In addition, the agency provides universal health coverage and engages in monitoring public health risks to promote health and well-being.
Fourth, the World Food Program (WFP) is an international organization of the United Nations that provides food assistance as the world’s largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals. In 2023, it assisted more than 152 million people and acted for food supplies in more than 120 countries and territories.
In addition to emergency food relief, WFP offers technical and development assistance, such as building emergency preparedness and response capacity, promoting social security programs, and strengthening resilience to climate change. As the main provider of direct cash assistance, it has offered transportation services for aid workers through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS).
Fifth, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized UN agency that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation with 194 member states. Since establishing the World Heritage Committee in 1976, UNESCO member states have adopted important legal instruments on cultural heritage and diversity.
Specifically, the Committee lists World Heritage sites as special landmarks with legal protection for their cultural, historical or scientific significance. The sites are judged as containing cultural and natural heritage throughout the world and considered to be of exceptional value to humanity. Nonetheless, some sites in Japan where war crimes were committed during World War II have been listed, calling into question about justice and fairness in Korea.
Sixth, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been providing humanitarian and development aid to children around the world since 1953. The organization is one of the most visible social welfare entities, operating in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF provides immunizations and disease prevention, administers treatment to children and mothers with HIV, and provides emergency aid in response to disasters.
In addition, although not a formal institution, the principle of the December 10, 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has accomplished a great feat to improve human rights in the world. Since 2005, the United Nations has passed the North Korea Human Rights Resolution, denouncing its fatal violation and calling for concrete actions to improve human rights conditions.
Handicap and Enhancement of the UN
In retaliation, Bush dogmatically provoked the ‘Global War on Terror’ after the 11 September 2011 attacks without UN ratification. The US was so keen to rush the decision because the UN was not prepared to have sufficient military capacity to direct international conflicts. Ironically, this means that the UN was unable to defeat the superpower position of the US that dominates international society by transcending the UN.
As well, resolutions related to international conflicts or agendas wouldn’t sometimes afford legal effectiveness or compulsory punishment. For example, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (the UNPKO) works to help countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. It can’t directly conduct war except the role to keep peace with civilian peacekeepers in a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council and General Assembly.
Three main parts of the United Nations have revealed their weakness and incompetence and should be strengthened: the Security Council, the UN Secretariat and the Secretary-General.
The first is the Security Council, charged with maintaining international peace and security by binding obligations through variable wars and conflicts around the world. On June 25, 1950, North Korea abruptly invaded South Korea and the U.N. Security Council decided to participate in the Korean War, immediately sending U.S.-led U.N. military forces with troops, medical support and variable supplies from 63 countries.
However, the critical handicap of the Security Council is the veto power of the five permanent members, and so most agendas related to political or national interests are not passed due to lack of agreement.
Therefore, amendment or revision of the UN Charter must be made by the General Assembly to prohibit the veto power. The vote of permanent and non-permanent members should be considered equal and guaranteed by majority vote.
The second is the accurate function and role of the UN Secretariat. Ban Ki-Moon, the eighth secretary-general in 2007-2016, tried to reform its internal systems, but failed due to key officials running aground, bureaucratized following their national interests.
Therefore, the UN Secretariat should reform its routine systems and encourage officials’ commitment with passion and devotion, transcending background and national interests. Without a reform of the internal structure and overall employee system, the UN would be in a dilemma, unable to create its future vision as a superior international organization.
The third, it is obvious that the power and position of the UN Secretary-General, as the administrative head and head of the UN Secretariat, is being depleted. Since the UN has revealed its impotent capacity for arbitration, the Secretary-General’s role and authority have been shrinking.
When Russia invaded Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, the UN did not take adequate action and international society no longer expects its role or mission. As a result, the United States, China and Russia, as permanent members, prefer a simple and direct way to resolve conflicts or issues, avoiding complicated processes through long-term UN negotiations.
Therefore, the UN Secretary-General should focus on strengthening the UN’s function in global security issues in the Security Council. The veto power of permanent members should be abolished and all members should follow resolutions with sanctions as a legitimate rule. This is the shortest way to strengthen the Secretary-General’s leadership and the UN’s function by overcoming general handicaps.
Ban Ki-Moon is often considered as one of the best Secretaries-General. Upon taking office, Ban tackled the most pressing crises, including the Darfur genocide, the HIV/Aids pandemic, and nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran. He also strengthened his role at the height of the conflict after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. At the end of his term, even as the Cold War became a geopolitical reality through the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ban Ki-Moon strongly denounced Russian aggression.
Worldwide Vision and Prospective
Global society would certainly be threatened by the military initiatives of major powers as permanent members of the UN against peace and security.
Currently, the UN is the largest organization with 193 member states, but its practical role seems relatively far from substantial power. Five permanent member states have deteriorated the New Cold War, and the UN is in a leadership crisis to control such a belligerent global environment. They focus on national interests and slightly ignore most UN resolutions with veto power. Significantly, the United States is at the top of the UN and manipulates its role as the strongest superpower. In addition, Russia and China often use veto power for their national interests.
Nevertheless, if the UN reforms its handicaps through the revision of the UN Charter, its function and role will be expanded and strengthened. The IMF, World Bank Group and WHO successfully play their critical role by supporting member states in national crises. UNESCO and UNICEF would achieve a great deal to leverage global society for a better human life in solidarity with common goals.
Therefore, the function and role of the UN could be strengthened by two factors: the legal strengthening of the resolution and the abolition of the veto power. If the General Assembly abolished the veto power of the permanent members, military provocations of countries would be avoided. Consequently, resolutions based on strong sanctions will be much more effective with practical punishments.
Author: Sunny Lee – Founder and President at CGPS (Center for Global Peace and Security), and Director at IKUPD (Institute for Korea-U.S. Political Development), Washington DC. Sunny Lee is the author of 115 academic books in politics (original English and in German, French, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese). She is a bestseller writer not only in politics but also in literature on Amazon. Her recent book is titled: “The Influence on Humankind’s Peace through Korean Reunification: Creating new paradigm in social science by interdisciplinary research.”
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).