The United Nations is the most important international organization that is involved in conflict solving and prevention of war and other threats to human life. The United Nations was created in 1945 with the aim of preventing wars and promoting cooperation between countries of the world. It has a more complex approach to peacekeeping than any other organization of its kind and has changed its ways of operation with time due to the ever changing nature of conflicts across the globe.
Peacekeeping Operations
The UN uses peace keeping missions as one of the ways of ensuring that there is peace in the world. These missions include the use of soldiers, police officers and civilians in regions that are in a state of war or have been in a state of war. The aim is to ensure that there is a conducive environment for the sustenance of peace through the supervision of ceasefires, the protection of civilians and the facilitation of the signing and implementation of peace agreements. To this date, the UN has carried out more than 70 peacekeeping operations across the globe including in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Conflict Prevention and Mediation
Besides peacekeeping, the UN has conflict prevention and mediation functions, which are aimed at the prevention of conflicts. The Security Council is the organ of the United Nations that has the responsibility of determining the existence of threats to international peace and security. Through the diplomatic wing, the UN seeks to mediate conflict between two or more entities in an effort to prevent the outbreak of war. Special political missions are frequently employed in these contexts to support such endeavours, including through political facilitation, mediation and reconciliation, and assistance to democratic transition and consolidation.
Promoting Human Rights
The UN has noted that sustainable peace is intrinsically connected with human rights and social equity. Through the various treaties and organizations that it has put in place, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN seeks to address the grievances that may culminate to conflict. Respect of human rights enhances stability of the society since people are assured of their rights thus no much chaos.
Supporting Development
The UN also deals with the causes of conflict through development programmes. Thus, through supporting economic development, education, and healthcare in the regions at risk of conflict, the UN hopes to fight poverty and inequality that are the main causes of war. Some of the programs that are implemented by organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are to empower communities that are able to cope with social and economic shocks.
Challenges Faced by the UN
However, the UN still has many problems in the preservation of world peace even with the measures it has put in place. The major challenge is that member states hold different political positions which makes it difficult to make a decision. For example, the veto right of the permanent members of the Security Council may hinder actions in important cases. Also, there are claims of misconduct by the peacekeepers which has dented the image of the UN and has made people to question the ability of the UN.
The Future of UN Peacekeeping
In the future, the UN’s role in the preservation of world peace will most probably develop in some way. With the increase in the intensity of conflicts across the globe, and the involvement of non state actors and transnational issues such as climate change, the UN may have to consider changing its strategies. Thus, the cooperation with regional organizations and the financing of peacekeeping operations will be crucial for the effective response to the new challenges.
Conclusion
The United Nations continues to play a significant role in the preservation of international peace through the various measures that it has put in place such as peacekeeping missions, conflict management, human rights and development. Despite the existing problems, the role of UN in the development of international relations and cooperation remains crucial in the face of new challenges. Thus, the UN can increase its potential for the long-lasting peace by adjusting to the new realities and improving the existing mechanisms of peacebuilding.