Call For Reform In United Nations

Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations (UN) has been persistently engaged in various global affairs such as peacekeeping, sustainable development, democracy and human rights, climate action, culture and heritage, law enforcement, etc. However, the Russo-Ukrainian and the Israel-Hamas/Gaza wars of the recent past have created a kind of vacuum in the UN's central role in maintaining international peace and security. Recalibration and readjustment to revitalise the UN to address the new challenges and responsibilities are the callings of this moment. Still, we can’t imagine an alternative body for its replacement.

Not to mention its conventional role, the UN should prepare itself for tackling lately emerged challenges such as the space race, deep tech management, misgovernment, unhealthy competition over natural resources, fragmented supply chain, climate crisis, and many more. Space is meant to be for fruitful purposes that imply the launch of convenient satellites/equipment needed for productive causes such as internet operation, disaster planning, phone calls, Google maps, bank transactions, global warming, etc. 

Space conflict 

However, weaponisation of space for extracting minerals and other resources could turn space into a new frontier of war anytime soon. Today, the knocking down of redundant satellites with missile strikes and malfunctioning of in-service satellites belonging to rival countries by use of the giant laser are messing up the entire lower orbit of space. If we are to quote former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, 'UN was not created to take mankind into paradise, but rather, to save humanity from hell.' Therefore, without any further delay, the UN's role should be expanded at the earliest to regulate such unhealthy competition.

Upon taking charge as the 47th president of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump vowed to backtrack from the universally adopted 2015 Paris Agreement. Thus, such a vacillating decision has put more onus on the shoulders of the UN to limit global warming well below 20C by the end of the twenty-first century, as endorsed in the Paris Agreement, or presumably to the safer limit of 1.50C. Despite commitment and endorsement, global temperature is on a constant rise; 2024 was the hottest year on record at about 1.550C, which is above the pre-industrial era. 

Consequently, the UN should promote green, resilient economic growth. On the same note, Nepal should be more vocal about establishing industries in its soil based on its green energy via foreign direct investment in the capacity of a carbon-neutral country. Since 1990, Nepal has lost 30 per cent of its mountain snow and become a sufferer without any climatic wrongdoings. With technological advancement, the old modality of conflicts will be replaced because of growing dissatisfaction among the working class and unemployed youth. Thus, global peace and stability should be pre-conflict-oriented rather than post-conflict intervention. This can be achieved through the approach of sustainable development and a transparent financing system. 

Instead of multiple donor agencies or any individual country, sustainable development works through proper budget allocation and field management through the presence of efficient UN resident representatives on the ground of individual countries in coordination with a concerned country, particularly, in the underdeveloped and developing world for carrying out the infrastructural work and job creation could be the best modality in preventing future conflicts and establishing durable peace.

UN General Assembly is a democratic platform with equal voting rights for all 193 member states but in the hands of five veto countries, it is a toothless tiger as it has no authority to dictate its decision on any critical issues like global economic and security order or climate action or technological disruption. The latest example could be the Gulf of Mexico. If necessary, rename it into the Gulf of America, not by the tech giants like Google but by the UN. Hence, besides military and financial might, additional criteria should be set for a balanced representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Geographical location (not necessarily global south or north), size and demography, and regional/geopolitical influence could be further benchmarked. 

Today, Europe, with a population of 750 million and 6.8 per cent of the world's land mass, possesses 3 seats in the UNSC. Whereas, Asia, which covers 30 per cent of land and adjusts 4.65 billion people is compelled to be satisfied with only one seat. On the same note, entire African and South American continents are cornered without any seats. If we are to envision a vigorous UNSC, there should be around 11 permanent seats with a provision of reshuffling every 25 years. For Asia, three seats should be provided, Europe three, North America one, South America one, Africa one, Australia/New Zealand one and allocation of one seat for the land-locked or small-Island nation. 

Reforms 

Land-locked countries like Nepal and many small island nations are suffering from the global climate crisis without its role in it. Such allotment can facilitate raising their voice in one of the strongest platforms in the world.  If such reform is made, then the UNSC will no longer be taken as a group controlled by the Allied powers who won WWII.  

Powerful countries with economic and military might have multiple options in their diplomatic toolbox to subjugate weak and vulnerable countries through the use of a grant, assistance, or investment in mega infrastructure projects. If this doesn’t work, then they don’t shy away from playing the hardball strategy to draw out their interest. However, the luxury of the choice is limited for weak and vulnerable countries. Ukraine could be a current example, as President Trump is again said to be moving close to a multi-billion-dollar rare earth deal despite its reluctance. As the oldest and a resourceful country in South Asia, Nepal should clear its position in the long-lasting reform of the UN so that it can feel safe and secure under its protective umbrella and participate in an unhindered progressive path. 

(The author is a former senior engineer in the Nepali Army.)