Debacles of United Nations

The fiascos of United Nations has forced the world to mull over its level of competence. A multilateral institution which was formed for greater good of humanity is debilitating and is on the verse of loosing its relevance from the entire spectrum of the world. 

As recent developments unfolded before our eyes, United Nations calibre and modus operandi of handling those issues, seems to prove that it has been left as a mere toothless organization. 

Let me enumerate the major developments and the fruitless efforts of UN in tackling those and since it has become infructuous in its present form, it let the world leaders and think tanks to moot sweeping reforms in this multinational body. 

Fight against COVID

United Nations has completely failed to prove its mettle in fighting the COVID 19 pandemic. The pandemic which wreaked havoc and interrupted the socio-economic life of millions , hasn't got the helping hand from UN as countries were expecting . 

World Health Organization failed miserably to act as a harbinger in the early 2019, when the pandemic was about to onset. Its communique totally gave unwarranted statements regarding SARS-COV-2, after first few cases of covid were detected. It could definitely have saved the world from the crippling effects of the pandemic. 

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to hold China accountable for the virus. It neither imposed any punitive actions nor condemned China for not giving proper access to WHO team regarding its operation. 

UN system failed to ensure equitable distribution of Vaccines. Where affluent countries have around 3-5 times more Vaccines than their total population and are about to provide booster shot to its citizens after taking two shots of vaccines , low income countries is still grappling to inoculate it's Citizens with even first dose.  

WHO's flagship program COVAX also didn't seems to be providing any breakthrough results. 

Coup in Myanmar

United Nations hitherto not imposed any stern sanctions on Myanmar junta for the military coup and imprisoning the democratically elected leaders. It hasn't pressurized the military leaders for the release of  the elected representatives.  

So, it can be considered as a fiasco of UN in dealing with the junta government. 

Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

As mentioned previously, UN failed to use binding or punitive language against Myanmar junta , the same case goes with the Taliban in Afghanistan. It hasn't showed tough stance against the Talibs and has kept the issue of sanctioning them for exacerbating the lives of Afghans in the back burner. 

UNSC has failed to extract assurance from Taliban on inclusive government, Human rights and other issues. It hasn't lessen the threat of terrorism, humanitarian crisis, refugee crisis emanating from there. 

Why UN Failed ?  

Now, after torch is being shone on the debacles of United Nations, one might ponder why UN failed and rather remains as a mere toothless organization unable to exert its influence in the major events happening in the International arena. 

First, power is in the hands of very few countries i.e. P5 Nations which ultimately has the veto power in UNSC. 

Indian Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated many a times to revamp UN and esp. to include other countries like India in P5 and to extend veto power in UNSC. 

Secondly, there is a deep polarization between one bloc involving US, UK, France and the another bloc comprising Russia and China ; so there is no cohesion and no consensus can be found among all the P5 Nations , which lets to a very few resolutions pass by the UNSC.

Although there are other reasons involved, reasons for failure of UN boil down to the above mentioned points. 

Way Forward  

World Leaders from countries such as Germany, India, Japan, Brazil ( G4 Nations) should issue a clarion call to other world leaders to revamp the whole machinery of UN and to expand the veto power of UNSC. 

Only an overhauled UN can solve the major crisis of the world ; and it is imperative to have guts, a spine, a heart and most importantly, teeth.