The United Nations (UN)

Tartacovschi Dimitri
Țurcanu Adrian
Cobzaru Adi
Research Questions
How has the role of the United Nations evolved since its inception
in 1945?

What were the key factors that led to the formation of the United
Nations after World War II?

What is the influence of the United Nations on national policies

and international relations?
 History of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was established after World 01
War II to prevent such conflicts from happening again
and to foster international cooperation. Its creation
was driven by the need for a new, effective
international organization that could replace the
League of Nations, which had failed to prevent the
outbreak of the Second World War.
Origins and Formation
 Atlantic Charter (1941).
 Declaration by United Nations (1942).
 Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944).
 Yalta Conference (1945).
 Founding the United Nations
The Organization of the San Francisco Conference
On April 25, 1945, the United Nations Conference opened in San Francisco
with the primary goal of drafting the UN Charter and establishing the world
organization. By June 26, 1945, the UN Charter was signed by
representatives of 50 participating states, which became the founding
members of the UN. Today, the organization boasts 193 members.

Background and Significance

The main objective of the San Francisco Conference, officially known as
the United Nations Conference on International Organization, was to draft
the UN Charter, serving as the foundational treaty aimed at fostering
international peace and security.

Administrative Challenges and Solutions

Organizing such a monumental event posed unprecedented administrative
challenges. The Opera House and the Veterans Building in the Civic Center
served as the main venues, with the Opera House hosting plenary sessions
and commission meetings, and the Veterans Building housing essential
offices like those of the Secretary General and Executive Secretary.
 Comprising all delegations, each with one vote, the Plenary Session
Plenary Session was presided over by the President of the Conference, assisted by
the Secretary General.

Consisted of the chairmen of all delegations, responsible for guiding

Steering Committee the overall direction of the conference.

Included the chairmen of the delegations of the four sponsoring

powers and seven other nations chosen by the Steering Committee.
Executive Committee This committee played a crucial role in managing the conference's
Organizational substantive work.
Structure
A technical adjunct to the Executive Committee, mainly tasked with
Coordination Committee finalizing the Charter language.

Composed of six members from different countries, this committee's

Credentials Committee role was largely formal, ensuring the validity of delegates'
credentials.
Substantive Work and Commissions
The substantive work of the conference was carried out by various
commissions and technical committees. These bodies were designed to
distribute the workload based on a logical breakdown of the new
charter as proposed at Dumbarton Oaks. Each commission and
committee focused on specific aspects of the charter, ensuring a
thorough and comprehensive drafting process.

Legacy of the San Francisco Conference

The San Francisco Conference was a landmark event in international
diplomacy, marking the creation of the United Nations. Despite the
myriad challenges, the conference's organization and administration
were executed with remarkable efficiency. The successful drafting and
adoption of the United Nations Charter laid the groundwork for a new
era of international cooperation and peacekeeping. The organizational
acumen displayed in San Francisco serves as a testament to the ability
of nations to come together and work towards common goals, even in
the face of significant logistical and administrative challenges.
 The United Nations and the Security Council:
Upholding Global Peace and Security
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) plays a
crucial role in maintaining global peace and security.
Established after World War II, it includes five permanent
members with veto power: China, France, Russia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States. Operating under
the principle of collective security, the UNSC aims to
resolve conflicts peacefully and deter aggression. Despite
its effectiveness in addressing global challenges like
terrorism and nuclear proliferation, criticisms persist
regarding representation and responsiveness to
humanitarian crises. Nonetheless, the UNSC remains
essential in fostering diplomatic dialogue and
cooperation, reaffirming global commitment to peace and
stability.
 The main objectives of the United Nations (UN)
are:
1. Maintaining International Peace and Security: Preventing conflicts, facilitating negotiations, and deploying
peacekeeping missions.
2. Promoting Sustainable Development: Addressing global challenges through the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity.
3. Protecting Human Rights: Upholding and promoting universal human rights standards, monitoring violations, and
advocating for justice and equality.
4. Delivering Humanitarian Aid: Providing emergency relief and assistance in response to natural disasters, conflicts,
and health crises.
5. Upholding International Law: Developing and promoting international legal frameworks and standards to ensure
justice and order.
6. Fostering Social and Economic Development: Supporting economic growth, education, health, and social progress
globally.
These objectives guide the UN’s efforts to create a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
Current Challenges
Conflict Resolution
The United Nations faces ongoing conflicts in
regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern
Europe, where peacekeeping efforts are critical to
stabilizing volatile situations and facilitating lasting
peace agreements.
Climate Change
Implementing effective measures to combat global
warming and mitigate its impacts remains a
pressing issue for the UN. Initiatives like the Paris
Agreement are crucial steps toward global
cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and adapting to climate-related challenges.
Global Health
Addressing pandemics and improving healthcare systems
worldwide are priorities for the UN, especially in the wake of
events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborative efforts through
agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) aim to
enhance global health security and ensure equitable access to
healthcare services.
Human Rights
The UN continues to advocate for the protection of human rights
in various parts of the world, combating discrimination,
promoting gender equality, and safeguarding freedoms of speech,
assembly, and religion. Efforts to hold perpetrators of human
rights abuses accountable remain essential.
 The United Nations plays a crucial role in maintaining
global peace, security, and development by addressing these
and other challenges through its multilateral approach. Its
ability to adapt and respond to changing global dynamics—
whether in conflict resolution, climate action, global health,
or human rights—remains pivotal to its effectiveness and
relevance in the 21st century. Through various programs and
initiatives, the UN continues to work towards a more
peaceful, just, and sustainable world, striving to fulfill its
founding mission of promoting international cooperation and
maintaining international order.

Conclusion
 Bibliography
● Bueno de Mesquita, Bruce, and Alastair Smith. "The Pernicious Consequences of UN
Security Council Membership." Journal of Conflict Resolution 54, no. 5 (2010): 667-686.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002710371670.

● Grayson Kirk & Lawrence H. Chamberlain, "The Organization of the San Francisco
Conference," Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 60, No. 3 (Sep., 1945), pp. 321-342.

● Mingst, K. A., Karns, M. P., & Lyon, A. J., "The United Nations in the 21st Century" (5th
ed.). Routledge, (2018), pp. 10-30.

● Hanhimäki, J. M. (2008). The United Nations: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford

University Press.