Question

what are the conflicts around the world? what are the role played by the UN in the conflicts?

Answer 1

It is natural human tendency to aspire for development, some people might go so far as to attain progress at the cost and exclusion of others. In a similar sense, at the international level, governments of various nations representing their nationals always look forward to progress, international status and recognition. For this, they draft plans and policies for their nation’s development. Due to diversified culture, economy and developmental requirements, different communities and cultures have diverse views and opinions. What may be development in terms of materialism for one society, might not be spiritually rewarding for another. The progress of one nation might be hazardous for another due to various externalities. World Wars 1 and 2 were outcomes of such conflicting decisions motivated by politics and greed.

For the sake of mutual benefit and sustainable development, there arose the need of a common organisation working for the common good of all countries at an international level to minimize the possibility of socio-political conflicts like economic cycles, trade wars, ecological instability, etc. Thus arose the United Nations (erstwhile League of Nations) or more commonly, UN. The UN is headquartered in New York and is a group of member nations which agree upon common goals for maintaining international peace and security and harmonising actions of member countries and to foster friendly relations amongst member countries

It works through several committees and specialised agencies. Few key ones are as follows:

ECOSOC – Economic & Social Committee

Security Council

ICJ – International Court of Justice

WHO – World Health Organisation

UNICEF – United Nations International Children Education Fund

IMF – International Monetary Fund

ILO – International Labor Organisation

UNESCO – UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation.

IMO – International Maritime Organisation.

The recent major resolution drafted by the UN was the Paris Agreement which laid emphasis on environmental sustainability. To summarize, the UN works towards peaceful relations between all nations, thereby reducing plausible economic and political conflicts.