An Overview of the United Nations: Structure, Function, and Influence

UN is a global group of 193 countries. It started in 1945 after World War Two. Its main job is to keep peace in the world. to maintain global peace and security, develop friendly relations among countries, achieve international cooperation in solving economic and social problems, and serve as a central hub for harmonizing the actions of nations to reach these shared goals, keep world peace, and help countries work together on human rights, health, and food. A global challenge is a major problem or trend that affects the entire world, crosses national borders, and requires large-scale international cooperation to solve. The borders of countries do not matter

Why these bodies matter

General Assembly = discussion and cooperation

Security Council = action on peace and security

ICJ = legal dispute resolution

Australia's bid = modern example of participation in the UN The UN is mostly effective in addressing global challenges because it promotes cooperation, peace, and international law. However, its success varies depending on the UN body involved and is often limited by political disagreements and enforcement issus

General Assembly: Discusses global issues Passes resolutions on peace, human rights, and development. The main purpose of the United Nations General Assembly is to act as a global forum where all 193 member states have an equal voice to debate world issues, make non-binding recommendations, and drive international cooperation on peace, human rights, and development The United Nations General Assembly influences global policy through moral authority, standard-setting, and budget control rather than binding legislation. As the only universally representative UN body where all 193 member states hold an equal vote, it shapes international agendas through high-profile debates, multi-lateral treaties, and collective consensus  

Paris Agreement support or resolutions on sustainable development 12 December 2015. Leagely binding internattoy tready legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016. Currently, as of 27 January 2026, there are 194 Parties to the Paris Agreement. Issues : lack of hard enforcement, insufficient national pledges to meet safety targets, and gaps in financial support for developing nations. While it successfully unites nations on climate goals, structural and political hurdles limit its real-world impact judgment: it is a legally binding international treaty adopted by 195 nations reasonings: to unite nearly 200 nations in a legally binding framework to prevent catastrophic global warming by keeping temperature increases well below 2°C (3.6°F) and pursuing efforts to limit them to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

This system helps countries plan for climate change together over the long term. However, it faces issues like delays in information and uncertain future expectations, which make it hard to base updates to countries’ climate plans on solid science. When countries feel there is no real progress and lack support for financial and technology transfer, they might inflate their climate goals on paper without real actions. This can increase distrust and lead to some countries withdrawing from the system.

Security Council :Maintains international peace and security

Can impose sanctions and approve peacekeeping missions

Makes legally binding decisions. to maintain international peace and security. It has 15 member states (5 permanent and 10 rotating non-permanent members), and its binding decisions include imposing sanctions, authorizing military force, and deploying peacekeeping missions. has 15 members. Decisions require at least nine votes in favor. On substantive matters, those nine votes must include the agreeing votes of all five permanent members. If any permanent member votes no, a veto happens, and the decision fails. The permant members are China, France, Russia, UK, US and they are called the P5. established after World War II. Ten other members join them for two-year rotating terms but do not get veto power.

intervention in Libya 2011: facts : adopted critical resolutions on Libya under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in response to the Qadhafi regime's violent crackdown on civilian protesters. These measures included referring the situation to the International Criminal Court, imposing strict sanctions, enforcing a no-fly zone, and authorizing international military intervention to protect civilians       issues: Libya's violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. It passed Resolution 1970 judgment: the Libyan government's violent crackdown on protesters constituted widespread and systematic attacks that could amount to crimes against humanity reasoning they beloved the had a "Responsibility to Protect” civilians  The UN Security Council acted swiftly to halt mass atrocities in Libya through enforcement measures, but the intervention ultimately failed to secure long-term stability or prevent a transition into protracted civil conflict

international Court of Justice (ICJ):Main court of the UN

Settles disputes between countries  Provides advice on international law location: located in The Hague, Netherlands Compliance relies heavily on political will, diplomacy, and reputational costs because the ICJ lacks its own enforcemenmt mechanism, Compliance relies heavily on political will, diplomacy, and reputational costs because the ICJ lacks its own enforcement mechanism. ruled in March 2014 that Japan's second-phase Antarctic whaling program, known as JARPA II, violated international law.  Australia v. Japan (Whaling Case). Facts: ruled in March 2014 that Japan's second-phase Antarctic whaling program, known as JARPA II, violated international law. The court found that the program's lethal permits were not issued for genuine scientific research under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. , the core legal issue was whether Japan’s second-phase Antarctic whaling program (JARPA II) complied with its obligations under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), specifically whether its lethal catches qualified as "scientific research" under Article VIII. Judgment on march 31 In 2014, the ICJ ruled (12-4) that Japan's Antarctic whaling program, JARPA II, was not truly for scientific research and therefore was not protected under international whaling rules. Court reasoned that the program's lethal methods, large scale, and limited scientific output did not justify the permits The ICJ successfully upheld international law in the case of Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan) by issuing a binding judgment. This ruling determined that Japan’s lethal whaling program violated its treaty obligations. The court examined evidence presented by Australia, which demonstrated that Japan's whaling practices were not justifiable under the exceptions outlined in the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. The judgment emphasized the importance of adhering to international treaties in preserving marine life and maintaining global ecological balance. This decision marked a significant moment in international conservation efforts, affirming commitments to protect endangered species.

Australia's 2029 Security Council Bid Seeking a non-permanent seat on the Security Council Shows Australia's role in global decision-making Example of how countries influence the Un multilateral Influence: Ensure the global rules-based order works effectively so that small and medium countries can influence international decisions.National Security Interests: Protect direct strategic interests by building consensus on transnational challenges like counter-terrorism, arms proliferation, and human rights. Reputational Legacy: Build upon Australia’s pragmatic, consensus-driven legacy from its past 2013–2014 term—where it led responses to MH17 and small arms control—enhancing its status as a constructive global citizen. Regional and Global Stability: Promote regional interests from the Indo-Pacific to wider global stabilization efforts through active crisis management.  Canada deployed high-level diplomatic outreach, leadership visits, special envoys, and soft-power incentives during its multi-year campaign for the 2020 United Nations Security Council seat, though it ultimately lost the vote to Norway and Ireland. Australia’s active membership and strategic middle-power diplomacy can enhance UN effectiveness and shape global decisions by bridging divides between major powers, championing institutional reforms, and leading specialized security initiatives.