In this chapter, we shall discuss the role of international organisations after collapse of the Soviet Union. We shall examine how, in this emerging world, there were calls for restructuring of international organisations to cope with various new challenges including the rise of US power. The potential reform of the United Nations Security Council is an interesting case of the reform process and its difficulties. We then turn to India’s involvement in the UN and its view of Security Council reforms. The chapter closes by asking if the UN can play any role in dealing with a world dominated by one superpower. 

International Organisations 

An international organisation (IO) is an organisation that operates in more than one country. They are also known as intergovernmental organisations or international institutions.

• Example: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), United Nations , World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), etc.

Role and Necessity of International Organisations

Avoid Potential War: While countries inevitably have conflicts and disagreements, that doesn’t mean they should resort to wars.

• Isn’t it better to have one place where all… countries in the world can get together, bore each other sometimes with their words rather than bore holes into each other on the battlefield?” – Shashi Tharoor.

• Promotion of Dialogue: Peaceful discussions can often resolve contentious issues, a reality often overlooked as most conflicts are addressed without warfare.
• International Cooperation for Peace: International organisations are born out of mutual agreements among nations. 
  • They function to facilitate peaceful dialogue and solution-seeking.
• Human Rights Protection: Bodies like the UN Human Rights Council work to uphold human rights principles and investigate abuses.
  • “The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell.” — Dag Hammarskjold, the UN’s second Secretary-General.
• Knowledge Sharing: IOs facilitate the exchange of information, expertise, and best practices among countries.
• Interconnected World: Globalization has increased interdependence between nations, making international cooperation essential.

Tackling Global Challenges Collectively

Necessity of Global Cooperation: Certain global issues, like diseases and climate change, necessitate a united front.

• For instance, eradicating specific diseases requires global vaccination campaigns.
• Addressing global warming effects like rising sea levels requires cooperative action, especially from major industrial nations.
• Challenges to Global Collaboration: However, while nations may agree on the need to cooperate, they might disagree on execution methods, cost-sharing, or benefit distribution.
• • Competing priorities: Countries frequently have opposing goals, making consensus hard to achieve. 
  • Political ideologies and systems can lead to divisions that hinder collaboration. 
  • Concerns about sovereignty: Countries are unwilling to relinquish control to international organizations, impeding collective efforts.

Conclusion

International organizations bridge this gap by providing insights and data for effective collaboration. Implementing frameworks, ensuring fair distribution of costs and benefits, and fostering trust among member states. International Organisations have to delve into necessity and complexity of international cooperation for peace, human rights, knowledge sharing, and tackling global challenges amidst competing national interests and sovereignty concerns

DOWNLOAD PDF