UN Marks 80 Years Amid Global Turmoil and Calls for Reform
The United Nations (UN) is set to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025, a milestone overshadowed by ongoing global conflicts and financial struggles. As tensions rage in places like Ukraine and Gaza, India is urging the UN to adopt a new focus on leadership and hope, expressing its readiness to take on a bigger role.
Despite being established in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation, the UN has faced criticism for its ability to address pressing global issues. Current crises, from humanitarian emergencies to economic inequality, raise serious questions about the relevance of the UN in today’s rapidly changing world.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in September, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, highlighted that an honest assessment would show the organization is in crisis. He stated that conflicts, lack of resources for development, and ongoing violations of human rights have left the UN struggling to find common ground. This, he noted, harms the spirit of multilateralism.
Jaishankar emphasized that India’s role could be pivotal in reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC), which he described as outdated and not representative of today’s world. “Both permanent and non-permanent membership must be expanded,” he asserted, indicating India’s willingness to take on greater responsibilities.
In the context of global terrorism, India has taken a strong stance against threats to its national security. Following a terror attack in Pahalgam, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The UN Security Council condemned the attack, underlining the need for accountability.
Calls for reform echoed even from the UN’s highest leadership, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocating for a more representative and effective Security Council.
As the UN grapples with these challenges, its 80th year coincided with a familiar critic returning to the White House—US President Donald Trump. His first presidency was marked by sharp criticisms of the UN, and observers expect a rocky relationship in his second term.
Immediately after taking office in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and announced that the US would halt participation in the UN Human Rights Council. Additionally, he planned a review of US membership in UNESCO and suspended funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.
During the UN General Assembly in September, Trump delivered a scathing critique of the UN, questioning its purpose and effectiveness. He accused the organization of failing to address major issues, including migration, and suggested it was even creating new problems.
Despite still being the largest donor to the UN, the US reduced its funding by over $1 billion. By the end of 2024, the UN reported a significant debt in unpaid assessments, totaling around $1.586 billion.
In a move reflecting the tough financial situation, the UN announced it would stop providing paper towels at its headquarters, encouraging the use of electric hand dryers instead—a change expected to save over $100,000 annually.
India has voiced strong support for sustainable and predictable financing of the UN system, stressing that resources should be allocated efficiently. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, reminded everyone that both global peace and prosperity are at risk, stating, “Nothing can run forever without reform and repair.”
