United Nations : A mutual desire to change the world

ILYMUN 2025
Written By Adam ZEGAR

A history of the UN, how it works and why it’s so useful.

Written by: Daphné Reilly

Originally set up with the objective of being ‘one place where the world's nations can gather together, discuss common problems and find shared solutions.’, the United Nations (UN) is considered today as the world’s largest and most important international organisation. Every year, its 193 member States meet up to debate with the objective of cultivating international peace and security as well as maintaining positive relations between nations to reach global unity. In a modern world filled with constant changes and expanding complexity, it represents a vital institution to help countries adjust; as such, they can improve in a collaborative manner to ensure the world has a peaceful future. Although many steps have been necessary to successfully reach the role it plays today, global cooperation would be far less effective without such a creation. Because the UN has evolved so much since its foundation in 1945, it is vital to understand not only its history, but also how it works and why it is so useful. 

The Creation of the UN

First and foremost, the UN was created soon after the end of the Second World War in 1945. Having just come out of a traumatising period filled with violence, despair, and grief, countries needed a system which would prevent future wars and promote international peace and security. As such, international hope resurfaced when 50 nations met in San Francisco to write the organisation’s 111-article Charter and set up the groundwork for this major gathering for peace. It was then on the 24th of October 1945 that the United Nations was officially created, a date which would later on become the official ‘UN Day’. On the 10th January of the following year, 51 nations gathered together in the London Central Hall to launch the 1st General Assembly, planting the very first seeds that lead to the determined and solution-seeking organisation we now know. To this day, the same Charter still contains the organisation’s guiding purposes and principles, replacing the ‘Atlantic Charter’, a past set of international collaboration principles from 1941. Subsequently, it was on the 2nd of February 1946 that the first Secretary General Trygve Lie was elected. During his inaugural speech the following day, he solemnly declared that it was ‘the future of the whole civilised world which [was] at stake”. His dedication was reflected in the UN’s first Peacekeeping operation also known as ‘UNTSO’ (United Nations Troop Supervision Organization)  in May 1948. In December that year, a pivotal event took place when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was officially adopted.

San Francisco 1945 - the conference that changed the world - Credit: UN/Yould

The UN Today

Since then, the organisation has progressed a lot over time to eventually become the UN we know today. In order to ensure financial aid, the UN is part of a broader network of specialised agencies, funds and programs also known as the UN System. The United Nations itself consists of 6 main bodies which all work together to address global challenges. First of all, the central policy-making body is called the General Assembly. It is the only part of the UN with universal representation. Every year in September, each member State of the UN meets in the dedicated New York-based parliament for an annual debate regarding the latest international issues. Resolutions regarding important topics like  peace and security, financial matters, or the admission of new participants require a two-thirds majority to be passed whereas a simple majority suffices for simpler affairs. The General Assembly is also responsible for electing a President each year. With a largely symbolic role, the President represents the General Assembly in diplomatic matters and sets the agenda to facilitate discussions on global issues (https://www.un.org/en/ga/about/background.shtml).

The UN General Assembly - Credits: John Angelillo/Pool

Next, the Security council plays a key role in maintaining international peace and security. Consisting of 15 members, it keeps an eye out for international threats and can, in extreme cases, impose sanctions and/or use force to restore peace. Five of these members are permanent (China, France, Russia, UK, US), meaning they have permanent seats in the council and the right to “veto” a resolution. The last ten members are elected on a two year basis by the General Assembly to represent different world regions, meaning they can vote resolutions but don’t have the veto power. This system has been the subject of controversy after some permanent members were accused of using the veto for national interest rather than global peace. The Security council also has a president, but this one rotates every month. In a similar way, the Economic and Social Council is a central mechanism for activities of the UN system, as it offers coordination, recommendations and policy reviews for all matters concerning economic, social and environmental fields. The UN also comes in aid of 11 Trust territories placed under the administration of 7 Member States to make sure they reach self-government and independence. Until the 1st of November 1994, the Trusteeship Council met up annually, but ever since these two objectives have been reached, meetings are only organised spontaneously. Just as importantly, the International Court of Justice serves as the the main judicial body of the UN and also happens to be one of the few based in the Hague instead of New York. Through accordance with international law, it settles legal disputes in order to give advisory legal decisions. 

Last but not least, it is important to highlight the tens of thousands of UN staff members around the globe, without which this major international organisation would not exist. To ensure goals are reached, the UN is financed through contributions from its member states, whether these are assessed (mandatory) or voluntary. Lastly, the Secretary-General leads the Secretariat and gathers together many brave individuals who have, in some circumstances, had to sacrifice themselves during their service.

International Court of Justice (2015) - Credits: UN

As such, the United Nations is a vital force for global cooperation, bringing countries together to tackle the challenges of our interconnected world. With five clear goals – keeping peace, protecting human rights, delivering aid, fighting climate change, and upholding international laws – the UN works to create a better future for everyone. By uniting nations and fostering communication in six official languages, it gives leaders a space to find solutions when others fall short. In a world full of complexities, the UN reminds us of the power of unity and the possibility of a brighter, more sustainable future.

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Adam ZEGAR
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