Role of united nation in post cold war era?
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Javier Perez de Cueller, former UN Secretary
General, in his report to the UN General Assembly
on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the United
Nation (UN 1985: vi)
The end of the cold war has brought hopes of a 'new world order' characterised by international cooperation, freedom and democracy, peace and security, and respect for human rights. These are the same ideals which, in 1945, spurred the formation of the United Nations.
Although the ending of cold war has also brought to an end the ideological polarisation of the world, the emerging socio-political and economic changes have led to new economic rivalries, border disputes, and interethnic tensions. The ideals of the UN are, therefore, still quite relevant in the post-cold war era.
Indeed, the UN is faced with several challenges in the post-cold war era. These include taking advantage of the resulting possibility of international cooperation to solve outstanding international problems such as racial, ethnic and religious intolerance, poverty and hunger, political strife in some countries, and forced migration.
To meet these challenges, there may be need to make some radical adjustments in the UN itself in areas such as the composition of the Security Council and the veto power held by some member-states, the entire conflict resolution machinery of the organisation, and - to some extent - the Charter itself.
Human rights issues also continue to be pertinent. There is no shortage of relevant human rights protection legal instruments. What the UN may need to concentrate on is how to make these instruments provide meaningful protection to human rights. There is need to strengthen the human rights protection institutions such as the UNHCR, and provide them with relatively independent financial resources to enable them meet their obligations without undue hindrance.
General, in his report to the UN General Assembly
on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the United
Nation (UN 1985: vi)
The end of the cold war has brought hopes of a 'new world order' characterised by international cooperation, freedom and democracy, peace and security, and respect for human rights. These are the same ideals which, in 1945, spurred the formation of the United Nations.
Although the ending of cold war has also brought to an end the ideological polarisation of the world, the emerging socio-political and economic changes have led to new economic rivalries, border disputes, and interethnic tensions. The ideals of the UN are, therefore, still quite relevant in the post-cold war era.
Indeed, the UN is faced with several challenges in the post-cold war era. These include taking advantage of the resulting possibility of international cooperation to solve outstanding international problems such as racial, ethnic and religious intolerance, poverty and hunger, political strife in some countries, and forced migration.
To meet these challenges, there may be need to make some radical adjustments in the UN itself in areas such as the composition of the Security Council and the veto power held by some member-states, the entire conflict resolution machinery of the organisation, and - to some extent - the Charter itself.
Human rights issues also continue to be pertinent. There is no shortage of relevant human rights protection legal instruments. What the UN may need to concentrate on is how to make these instruments provide meaningful protection to human rights. There is need to strengthen the human rights protection institutions such as the UNHCR, and provide them with relatively independent financial resources to enable them meet their obligations without undue hindrance.
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