Why Can't the UN Get Things Done

Written and researched by Shubh Khatwani

In 1945, the nations of the world came together in the spirit of harmony and decided that no one really likes people dying, and so they created the United Nations, which was tasked with establishing and maintaining peace, collaboration and cooperation in the entire world. This new found hope inspired many nations to abandon violence and ensure that there occurs no atrocities like the world wars!

79 years later, there are approximately 110 armed conflicts in the entire world, some of which have been ongoing for more than 30 years. The presence of such armed conflicts raises an integral question - why can't the UN get things done? 

The Structure of the UN

The answer to why the UN is so inefficient lies in its core structure and procedures. For the proper functioning of the organization, the UN is divided into 6 major organs, and many many agencies, panels, councils, etc. Out of all these numerous smaller bodies that form the UN, 2 stand out the most:

1. The General Assembly

2. The Security Council 

The above mentioned organs, though not the only ones, hold considerable powers which influence international law and geopolitics greatly. 

Both of these have varying composition, procedures, functions and powers but either of them have the power to “take decisions”. In more appropriate terms, the they have the power to create international law through documents called “resolutions”.

Binding and Non-binding law 

Law can be largely categorized as “binding” and “Non-binding”. “Binding” law is any rule or legislation, following which is a compulsion. One must follow such laws or face consequences. Most national law fall under this category. For example, the law that tells you that you cannot murder anyone, the law that demands you to pay taxes, etc.

However, there also exist laws that are “Non-binding”. The resolutions that the General Assembly can adopt are excellent examples of Non-binding legislation. Not following a resolution that the General Assembly has passed does not result in any serious legal consequences or repercussions for a nation simply because the resolutions, in layman terms, are not enforced.  

The best example of this would be the resolution that the General Assembly recently passed demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel. The resolution showcases what the nations of the world want (since any GA resolution needs two-thirds of all the UN members to vote in favor), but it can not be enforced on Israel.

Apart from the GA, other constituents of the UN also hold the power to pass resolutions which are non-binding. But this doesn't mean that all UN decisions are non enforceable. 

Representation 

The resolutions that the Security Council or the SC adopts are enforceable and binding in nature. The Council also has the most powers in the entire organization: it can establish trade restrictions, initiate military action, establish local tribunals, etc.

But the Security Council, unlike the GA, does not have all the UN members on it. At any time, the SC has only 15 members and out of these 15, 5 are permanent (called the P5 or permanent 5) while the other 10 are elected by the GA (called the E10 or elected 10). 

The council with the most power simply doesn't have equal representation because China, USA, UK, France and Russia, all have a seat at council no matter the time or the topic being discussed. This means that if the council is discussing the issue of Iran, these 5 nations and the E10 will decide what needs to be done and no other nation gets a say in the final voting. 

NOTE: Apart from the 15 members, other nations can also attend and present their views in the council's meetings, but only these 15 nations can formulate and vote on resolutions. 

The Veto 

Unfortunately, representation isn't the only difficulty that the Security Council faces. The P5 members, apart from having a permanent seat also have a special power called the “veto” bestowed upon each of them. Basically, they have the power to block any decision or resolution from passing, simply if they don't like it. 

This is the reason why no action against Russia has been taken by SC regarding the Russo Ukrainian war (as Russia vetoes such resolutions) and establishing a ceasefire in Gaza has not been established (the US keeps vetoing these resolutions.) 

The Council also indirectly decides the representation of nations in all other UN bodies because it has the ability to decide whether a nation can become a UN member or not, which in turn affects who can speak and vote on decisions in the GA and other UN organs.