Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/zpfz.73.23.15
Do We Need the UN?
Ivan Šimonović
; Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Current global trends related to the three pillars of the UN: peace and security, development and human rights are negative. There are more conflicts and they last longer, implementation of sustainable development goals has slowed, halted or reversed, and respect for human rights and rule of law are back tracking. We are witnessing a paradox: because of the strengthening of global interdependence, global coordination is more important than ever. At the same time, the impact of the UN never seemed to be weaker. Some problems of the UN are related to a lack of implementation of what has been already agreed upon, but this almost eighty-year-old organization should also be better adjusted to the changing environment, opportunities and threats. However, the reform of the UN is very difficult to achieve because of its Charter provisions require a two-thirds majority of member states and consensus of all five permanent members of the Security Council. Therefore, it seems useful to try to reform the UN by a creative interpretation of its Charter provisions through interpretative resolutions of the General Assembly and advisory opinions of the ICJ, as well as by introducing innovations that, although not envisaged in the text of the Charter, follow its spirit and goals. Although a more radical reform of the global regulation, including a change of the UN Charter, is difficult to achieve because of global divisions, we should keep trying and further develop plans for it, hoping that the stars may align for a big bang.
Keywords
United Nations; Security Council; General Assembly; reform of the UN; global coordination
Hrčak ID:
308886
URI
Publication date:
16.10.2023.
Visits: 871 *