The United Nations is an international intergovernmental organization that strives to maintain world order and settle international and intranational disputes. Ratified by over one hundred and sixty-seven countries, it seeks to resolve problems that occur and requires solutions from the international community at large rather than from any one particular country. Let us know about UN Mission Statement.
While the United Nations has not formally issued a mission or vision statement, it makes clear in its charter and objectives what it considers to be important and a part of its core values.
What is the UN Mission Statement?
A UN mission statement is a short synopsis that comprises the core values of an organization. It contains in simple terms what the organization considers to be the most important and what the organization primarily seeks to do. As per such an understanding of what a mission statement means, the mission statement of the United Nation can be interpreted as, “the maintenance of international peace and security”.
These words summarize the core reason for the creation of the United Nations, which was to prevent another world war from happening. The words reflect the need for an international organization wherein each country is considered equal and has a platform to express its problems. Diplomacy was to be given more significance and focus in the international arena. It showcases the respect and significance given to each human life.
What is the Vision of the UN?
A vision statement tries to convey what the organization wishes to have ideally achieved in the future. For the United Nations this would entail;
- The reduction and elimination of extreme poverty
- Ensuring sustainable economic and social development
- The preservation and upholding of human rights and dignity
- Elimination of discrimination based on gender, class, race, etc.
Fulfillment of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals would also come under this. These goals are targets set by the UN to achieve a more sustainable and better future. These include;
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reducing Inequality
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
What are the Values Enshrined by the UN?
The core values that everyone within the United Nations is expected to follow are;
- Integrity
This means being honest and impartial in your dealings and standing with the organization even if some of its stances might not be so popular.
- Professionalism
Being responsible for your work and being determined and persevering even in the face of obstacles.
- Respect for Diversity and Gender
The UN has staff from different parts of the world with people belonging to different classes, races, gender, religious, or political inclinations. This diversity needs to be respected and every individual treated equally. Discrimination on no grounds is to be allowed.
United Nations Origin Story
- The first half of the twentieth century faced two World Wars spanning over a total of 10 years (from 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945). The amount of loss and pain that resulted from these wars was so colossal that the United Nations was established in 1945 after the Second World War ended, to prevent another such world war from ever breaking out again.
- Countries and people as a whole wanted peace to last and required an organization that would actively champion and work fAs a result, representatives of more than fifty countries gathered in San Francisco to discuss, draft and sign the UN charter. This resulted in the creation of the organization that we refer to as the United Nations
or it.
- Today, it has one hundred and ninety-three member states and is concerned with ensuring a basic standard of living for all human beings irrespective of gender, race, geographical location, religious inclinations, etc.
Current President of the UN
- President: Abdulla Shahid
- UN Member State: Maldives
- From: September 14, 2021
- Term: One Year
- Headquarters: New York
The Six Principal Organs of the UN
- The General Assembly
- The Security Council
- The Economic and Social Council
- The Trusteeship Council
- The Secretariat
- The International Court of Justice
The Relevance of United Nations in Contemporary Times
While the United Nations was certainly needed when it was first instituted, its relevance has come under question in recent times.
- The dominance of the permanent Security Council members and the veto powers they possess have been called into question and many countries are demanding that they too be made a part of this permanent council.
- Most organizations within the UN like the World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Development Program (UNEP), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), etc., usually have as its Secretary-General or President, people belonging to a particular set of countries. Thus, it has been raised that these countries enjoy a certain dominance over the organization.
- It cannot be denied that countries like the US, China, Russia, etc., are superpowers and dominate over other countries within the world order. When such countries refuse to follow or break a mandate of the UN there is often no following up done. While smaller and weaker countries have no choice to follow the rules or face the repercussions when these major powers flout the rules, there is very little the UN can do against them.
The failure of the UN in mitigating recent events like the Israel-Palestine violence or the current crisis in Afghanistan has people questioning its contemporary relevance. While it is true that the UN is limited in its power, it would be a mistake to write it off entirely. Its existence is proof and a tragic reminder of the consequences of war. The world needs an organization to hold countries accountable for their actions for without one mayhem will ensue once again.
