Payraw Anwar
The United Nations General Assembly meets every September, when representatives of all member states gather in the General Assembly Hall to address issues of international concern. Each country presents its interests, political positions, and perspectives on developments affecting the international community. The United Nations is expected to address issues occurring around the world. Based on the UN Charter, one of the key responsibilities of this international organisation is to promote international peace and security and help prevent conflicts among states.
Since its establishment in 1945, the UN has played an important role in responding to humanitarian emergencies and, at times, has taken significant decisions to protect human rights and maintain international peace. However, one of the major criticisms of the organisation concerns the structure of the UN Security Council. The five victorious powers of the Second World War—the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—have permanent seats and the right to veto substantive decisions. This has frequently been criticised as an imbalance within the international system, particularly when decisions are blocked because they conflict with the interests of one of the permanent members.
This year, criticism of the UN has increased as conflicts have intensified, particularly in the Middle East. The U.S.–Iran war has also reshaped the dynamics of regional politics and conflicts. Every country has attempted to preserve its political position and national interests. At the same time, major powers have, according to their critics, instrumentalised the UN as a political tool for advancing or protecting their interests, while hundreds of international disputes and crises remain unresolved.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, speaking at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, addressed and reiterated the importance of peace and security. He also focused on Iraq’s sovereignty in times of both peace and war, while emphasising the importance of strengthening the rule of law and institution-building in the country.
This comes against the background of the United Nations’ long involvement in Iraq. In mid-August 2003, the Iraqi government asked the UN Security Council to establish a mission in Iraq, which subsequently became known as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The mission played a role in supporting political processes, institution-building, human rights, and other areas of international assistance in Iraq. The Iraqi government later requested the termination of UNAMI’s mandate in late 2024.
The continuing debate surrounding the United Nations raises a fundamental question: how effective can an international organisation be in addressing global disputes when its decision-making structure remains strongly influenced by the interests of the world’s major powers?