What measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms?. (UPSC CSE Mains 2021 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
- The United Nations (UN) was set up, 75 years ago, with the principal aim of maintaining world peace and security. It has been successful in the decolonization process and preventing another World War. However, the 21st century world is very different from that 20th century and poses many new problems and realities.
- The present humanitarian and economic losses associated with Covid-19 pandemic are comparable to that of major wars and unemployment is worse than at any time since the Great Depression 1929. This has highlighted the challenges pertaining to the multilateral UN system.
- Furthermore, there has been a general trend of increasing the number of challenges that are Trans-national in character (for example, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics, climate crisis, cyber-security, and poverty). UN being the epitome of multilateral world order will be much needed in dealing with global issues.
- Therefore, reforms in the UN are necessary in order to strengthen the UN’s effectiveness as a multilateral organization, bring more transparency to the institution and enhance its credibility.
The current UN reforms are focused on three areas:
- Reform of the UN development system (UNDS) - The UN has reorganised its country teams under the leadership of UN resident coordinators and revised their funding practices in order to improve the efficiency of UN agencies and the impact of development activities on the ground. It is in part thanks to Switzerland''s efforts that the member states have been able to agree on the reform measures now underway in this complex area.
- UN management reform - The UN has restructured its secretariat and simplified its budgetary practices in order to ensure that UN operations are more effective, efficient and responsive. Further reform projects will follow, including in the area of human resources.
- Reform of the UN peace and security infrastructure - The UN has reorganized two departments: the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA; former Department of Political Affairs) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO; former Department of Peacekeeping Operations). The two departments have now created a joint country division. Better coordination between the two departments is expected to enhance conflict prevention efforts. In addition, the area of peacebuilding has been strengthened. The overall aim is to bring lasting stability to countries emerging from armed conflict.
- The UN is also engaged in further reform efforts in addition to the three reform tracks outlined above. Perhaps the best known is the reform of the Security Council. In addition, regular review and revitalisation processes are underway in the UN''s various entities and programmes, including the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council and UNESCO. Several UN organisations have made periodic reviews part of their mandate.
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