While an oil painting by Norwegian artist Per Krohg in the UN Security Council chamber depicts the Phoenix rising from the ashes of World War II, the institution itself is bogged down by a rigid veto system and severe funding shortfalls that hinder conflict resolution.
The Veto Gridlock and Legitimacy Crisis
At the heart of the UN's institutional paralysis is the UN Security Council, the only body within the organization capable of passing legally binding resolutions. Established in 1945 to prevent the failures of the League of Nations, the council grants permanent membership and veto power to five nations: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. India, the world's largest democracy, alongside emerging powerhouses like Turkey, Brazil, and Japan, remains unrepresented among the permanent members. African nations have long campaigned for permanent representation on the continent's behalf without reaching an internal consensus on practical implementation. Niels Nagelhus Schia, a researcher at NUPI, notes that the Security Council suffers from a protracted legitimacy crisis that intensifies with the absence of a permanent African seat. Yet, neither researcher believes comprehensive reform of the council's composition is likely, as all five vetoholders refuse to surrender the authority granted to them in 1945.
How Geopolitical Conflicts Sidelined the Security Council
Ongoing conflicts involving permanent members have severely diminished the Security Council’s ability to maintain international peace and security. Sellström states that Russia’s military attack on Ukraine represents a direct breach of the UN Charter by a permanent member. Sellström also highlights recent U.S. strikes on Iran as problematic for multilateral cooperation. Consequently, the Security Council has been sidelined as a primary problem solver in major wars, according to Schia. When Russia blocks resolutions in the Security Council, the UN General Assembly steps into the void. While the General Assembly cannot legally resolve conflicts, it serves as a normative meeting space; a recent vote condemning Russia drew support from all but four nations. Despite its weaknesses in crisis management, Schia argues that the UN remains vital as a global forum. Highlighting diplomatic engagements such as meetings between Xi and Trump, alongside AI initiatives launched by Jonas Gahr Støre alongside 22 nations, Schia explains that the UN’s value as a meeting place grows precisely because geopolitical rivalry and global fragmentation are intensifying.
Budget Shortfalls and Humanitarian Consequences
Beyond New York diplomacy, the UN delivers critical peace operations and humanitarian aid in the field, sectors now constrained by severe financial deficits. The United States and China—the organization’s top two financial contributors—provide 42 percent of the UN’s regular budget and over 50 percent of peacekeeping funds, but both nations have delayed payments. Nagelhus Schia attributes these payment lags to a difficult period for multilateralism driven by intense geopolitical rivalry, alongside the rise of private tech corporations that operate outside traditional UN frameworks. These funding delays have forced staff reductions and deep cuts to humanitarian operations. The World Food Programme (WFP) has implemented brutal budget reductions, cutting food distributions in vulnerable regions including Afghanistan, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and Sudan, which has sparked protests and rising unrest in refugee camps. As financial support and political attention shift away from traditional structures, Nagelhus Schia suggests the UN is transitioning from a mechanism of global governance toward a platform focused primarily on sustaining communication in a fractured world.
Did you know?
The prominent oil mural in the UN Security Council chamber by Per Krohg depicts the Phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizing international cooperation emerging from the destruction of World War II.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t the UN Security Council change its membership?
The five permanent members—the US, China, Russia, France, and the UK—hold the power to veto any attempts to alter the composition of the Security Council, effectively blocking reforms that would diminish their authority.
Who are the main financial contributors to the UN?
The United States and China are the largest financial backers, providing roughly 42 percent of the regular UN budget and over half of the funding for peacekeeping operations.
How does the UN function when the Security Council is deadlocked?
When permanent members block resolutions in the Security Council, member states frequently utilize the UN General Assembly as a forum for debate, political signaling, and non-binding resolutions.
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