UNITED NATIONS could have played a “much stronger” role in global conflicts such as Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia, and in humanitarian crises unfolding in Sudan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Friday, while stressing that today’s world needs a new UN and international order.
He was addressing the 26th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World (ICCJW) in his parliamentary constituency Lucknow.
Singh said that today, conflicts are ongoing in several parts of the world — the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Ukraine-Russia war and humanitarian crises unfolding in Sudan and many regions of Africa. “Amid all this, we could have expected to see a much stronger role of the United Nations. We are not seeing that, but we could have,” he said.
Singh asserted that this does not mean any lack of intent on the part of the UN; rather, it stems from the complexities of global politics, the influence exerted by major powers, and the slow pace of institutional processes. “These factors have often raised questions about the UN’s authority,” he said and criticised major powers for selectively applying UN rules and limited resources, saying weakened institutions cannot deliver results.
“This situation can change only when we bring the United Nations back to its core objectives — peace, justice, and equal representation — as originally envisioned,” he said. “I firmly believe that today’s new world requires a new United Nations.” He, however, clarified also that by “new United Nations” he does not mean creating a fresh institution, but revitalising the existing body.
In his address, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, drawing attention to the growing problem of climate change, cyber crime and terrorism, called for a discussion on these issues at the international level, especially at UN platforms. “The world is facing the challenges of climate change, cyber security and terrorism. Today, if any society or country is ignoring them, then they are creating a danger for themselves and for humanity,” said Adityanath.
He said the Covid pandemic proved that no problem is merely the problem of a country, it is the problem of the entire world. “And the entire world would have to work to find solutions.”
