Policy Update
Viksha Adhinarayanan
Background
The United Nations was established in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, when the world was reeling from unprecedented destruction and loss of life. Leaders recognized the urgent need for a global institution that could prevent future wars, foster cooperation, and uphold peace. Representatives of 50 countries participated in the San Francisco Conference (25 April-26 June 1945), where they drafted and signed the UN Charter. Although Poland did not attend because its government had not yet been formed, it signed the Charter on 15 October 1945 and subsequently became one of the 51 original Member States of the United Nations. The Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945 following ratification by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of the other signatory states. In 1947, the UN General Assembly officially designated 24 October as United Nations Day through Resolution 168 (II), and in 1971, Resolution 2782 (XXVI) recommended its observance as a public holiday to promote awareness of the aims and achievements of the United Nations.
This date is now celebrated annually as United Nations Day, symbolizing the triumph of multilateralism and the hope for a peaceful world order. In 1947, the UN General Assembly officially designated 24 October as United Nations Day to promote awareness of the aims and achievements of the United Nations and encourage support for its work (United Nations General Assembly, 1947). In 1971, the General Assembly further recommended that Member States observe the day as a public holiday (United Nations General Assembly, 1971). Over the decades, the UN has expanded its role beyond peacekeeping to encompass humanitarian aid, human rights, sustainable development, and climate action.
Functioning
United Nations Day functions as a reaffirmation of the UN Charter’s ideals—peace, security, human rights, and development. It is observed worldwide through cultural events, educational campaigns, and official ceremonies that highlight the UN’s work and its relevance to contemporary challenges. Schools, universities, and civil society organizations often host debates, exhibitions, and awareness drives to engage citizens in discussions about global cooperation. Governments and UN offices organize commemorative events, while the Secretary-General issues a message underscoring the importance of collective action. The day also serves as a platform to renew commitments to collective goals such as the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the Pact for the Future. By engaging governments, civil society, and youth, UN Day strengthens the legitimacy of the UN as the world’s most universal forum for dialogue and cooperation. It is not only symbolic but functional, reminding nations that the UN is a living institution whose relevance depends on active participation. In this way, United Nations Day bridges history and contemporary challenges, ensuring that the founding vision of peace and cooperation continues to inspire action in the present.
Performance
Since its inception, the United Nations has played a pivotal role in shaping international relations and addressing global challenges. Its peacekeeping and humanitarian interventions provide important examples of both its achievements and limitations. The UN’s peacekeeping mission in Cambodia (UNTAC) helped oversee a ceasefire, facilitate elections, and support the country’s transition toward peace, demonstrating the organization’s ability to coordinate complex post-conflict operations. Similarly, agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have delivered life-saving assistance during refugee and humanitarian crises, highlighting the UN’s crucial role in global relief efforts. The organization has also spearheaded international agreements on disarmament, climate change, and human rights, while the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 established a shared framework for global development. However, the UN’s performance has not been without challenges. Peacekeeping missions have faced criticism for limited mandates and inconsistent outcomes, while humanitarian operations are often constrained by funding shortfalls and political barriers. Progress toward the SDGs remains uneven, and geopolitical rivalries frequently hinder collective action. The UN’s ability to enforce decisions is also restricted, particularly when major powers oppose international measures. Thus, while the UN has achieved significant milestones in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and global governance, its mixed record underscores the need for institutional reform and renewed commitment to effective multilateral cooperation.
Impact
The impact of the United Nations is most visible in its contributions to humanitarian assistance, public health, refugee protection, and decolonization. Through agencies such as UNICEF, WHO, and UNHCR, the UN has provided education, healthcare, vaccinations, emergency relief, and protection to millions of people affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. It also played an important role in supporting decolonization and assisting newly independent states through international cooperation and development programmes. The UN has served as a forum for dialogue among states, helping to manage international tensions and encourage peaceful dispute resolution, although the absence of major-power conflict cannot be attributed to the UN alone, as broader political, economic, and strategic factors have also shaped global stability. The organization’s greatest impact lies in establishing international norms and creating mechanisms for cooperation on shared challenges such as public health, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian crises. While the effectiveness of these efforts varies across regions and contexts, the UN remains a central platform through which countries coordinate responses to global problems, demonstrating both the value and the limitations of multilateral action.
Emerging Issues
As the world evolves, the United Nations faces increasingly complex challenges, including cybersecurity threats, climate emergencies, pandemics, and the governance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. One of the most significant debates concerns Security Council reform, with many Member States arguing that the Council’s current structure does not adequately reflect contemporary geopolitical realities or provide equitable representation for developing countries and the Global South. Proposals for reform generally focus on expanding permanent and non-permanent membership, particularly to enhance representation from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, progress has been slow due to disagreements among Member States regarding the size, composition, and veto powers of an expanded Council. United Nations intergovernmental negotiations on equitable representation continue to address these issues, reflecting broad agreement on the need for reform but limited consensus on how it should be achieved.
At the same time, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven. According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, only 17 per cent of SDG targets are on track, while nearly half show only minimal or moderate progress and more than one-third have stalled or regressed. The report identifies conflicts, geopolitical tensions, climate change, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as major barriers to international cooperation and sustainable development. These challenges underscore the need for renewed multilateral cooperation, more inclusive global governance, and institutional reforms that enable the UN to respond effectively to twenty-first-century realities. United Nations Day therefore serves as a reminder that addressing shared global problems requires both stronger international cooperation and a more representative and effective United Nations system.
Way Forward
United Nations Day is not merely a commemoration of history; it is a call to action for the future. The UN must evolve to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.It may continue to represent its founding vision of peace and collaboration by adopting reforms, fortifying alliances, and guaranteeing equitable growth. Digital monitoring and transparency can improve accountability, while community engagement can ensure sustainability. On United Nations Day, Member States can reaffirm their commitment to UN-led humanitarian and development efforts by supporting programmes implemented through agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which provides essential health services, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNESCO, which promote education and skills development. Practical actions may include expanding access to healthcare, funding vocational training initiatives, and strengthening educational programmes for vulnerable communities. Progress can be measured through indicators such as healthcare coverage rates, school enrolment and completion rates, and participation in skills-training programmes. Ultimately, United Nations Day reminds us that global unity is not an abstract ideal but a practical necessity. The UN remains a symbol of hope, and its success depends on the collective will of nations and peoples to uphold dignity, security, and justice for all. Enhancing care and assistance does not remain in welfare alone but becomes a moral imperative to uphold human rights and social justice. Henceforth, the United Nations embodies the vision of a compassionate and inclusive world, where nations are assured dignity, security, and opportunities for growth.
References (APA 7th)
- United Nations. (n.d.). United Nations Day – 24 October. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/un-day
- United Nations. (n.d.). History of the United Nations. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/history-of-the-un
- United Nations. (n.d.). Happy United Nations Day. United Nations Yearbook. https://www.un.org/en/yearbook/article/happy-united-nations-day
About the Author
Viksha A is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Loyola College, Chennai, and serves as a Research & Editorial Intern at IMPRI. She is passionate about public policy research and writing, with interests in governance, social impact, and contributing to evidence-based policy discussions through research and informed analysis.
Acknowledgements
My sincere thanks to the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) for the opportunity to prepare this policy update article. IMPRI’s dedication to connecting research with actionable policy practice provides an invaluable platform for learning.
Reviewers
Tanisha Hooda & Khushi
Disclaimer
All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
