Module 2.
4
Contemporary Global
Governance
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this section, you are expected to:
1. identify the roles and functions of the United Nations
(UN);
2. describe the challenges of global governance in the
21st century, and
3. explain the relevance of the nation-state in the midst
of globalization.
Global Governance
makes world affairs systematic, secured, and formulaic.
Weiss & Thakur (2014) describes global governance as the totality
of norms, laws, policies, and bodies that define, comprise, and
facilitate transnational relations between citizens, states, cultures,
intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations.
Rules and norms put everything in order. Though global governance
is rule-based, it has no central authority. However, there are
systems for international relationships that bind the states, people,
and society together.
is a movement towards political cooperation among transnational
actors, aimed at negotiating responses to problems that affect more
than one state or region.
The United Nations
The name "United Nations“, coined by United
States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was first used in
the Declaration by United Nations of January1, 1942,
during the Second World War, when representatives of
26 nations pledged their Governments to continue
fighting together against the Axis Powers.
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San
Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International The United Nations officially
Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those came into existence on 24
delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out October 1945, when the
by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Charter had been ratified by
Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United China, France, the Soviet
Union, the United Kingdom,
States in August-October 1944. the United States and by a
majority of other signatories.
The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of United Nations Day is
the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, celebrated on 24 October
signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States. each year.
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
is the central deliberative and
the only organ where all
member-states have equal
representation in discussion
and consideration, and
policymaking.
Annually elects a GA
President.
On September 21, 1949, Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo as head of the Philippine delegation to the
United Nations (UN) was elected President of fourth General Assembly. Romulo received the votes of
the representatives of all 59 nations except those of Russia and its satellite states which give 5 votes to
the Czech Foreign Minister and the vote from Yugoslavia being declared invalid.
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
is the organ which has the commitment to preserve peace and
security.
It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the
Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to
comply with Council decisions.
takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace
or act of aggression.
It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means
and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.
In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing
sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore
international peace and security.
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
Five permanent Ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms
by the General Assembly (with end of term year):
members:
1. Estonia (2021)
2. India (2022)
1. China 3. Ireland (2022)
2. France 4. Kenya (2022)
3. Russian Federation 5. Mexico (2022)
6. Niger (2021)
4. United Kingdom 7. Norway (2022)
5. United States 8. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2021)
9. Tunisia (2021)
10. Viet Nam (2021)
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
is the main organ for cooperation, policy review, policy
dialogue, and advice on social, economic, and environmental
issues.
brings people and issues together to promote collective action
for a sustainable world.
54 member are elected by the General Assembly for three-year
terms.
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
is the organ tasked to administer The eleven trust territories under the administration of
the UN Trusteeship Council.
international oversight for 11 trust [Link] Samoa
territories and to make sure that [Link]
adequate procedures are taken [Link]-Urundi
[Link] under British administration
for independence and self- [Link] under French administration
government. [Link] under British administration
[Link] under French administration
[Link] Guinea
[Link]
[Link] Trust Territory/ Trust territory of the Pacific
Islands
[Link] Somaliland
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
also known as the World Court
is the main judicial organ of the UN.
It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and The seat of the
began work in April 1946. Court is at the
its role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes Peace Palace in
The Hague
submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions
(Netherlands). Of
referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. the six principal
The Court decides disputes between countries, based on the voluntary organs of the
participation of the States concerned. If a State agrees to participate in a United Nations, it is
the only one not
proceeding, it is obligated to comply with the Court’s decision.
located in New York
is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United (United States of
Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. America).
The Six (6 ) organs of
United Nations
is one of the main organs of the UN that is tasked to execute the daily
activities as assigned by the five other organs.
the Secretary-General is at the head of the United Nations Secretariat and
the one that provides overall administrative guidance.
The main functions of the Secretariat are:
To gather and prepare background information on various issues so that
government delegates can study the facts and make recommendations;
To help carry out the decisions made by the different organs of the
United Nations;
To organize international conferences;
To translate speeches and distribute documents into the UN’s official
languages;
To keep the public informed about the work of the United Nations.
The Universal Declaration
UNs Responsibilities of Human Rights (UDHR)
• is a milestone document in the
history of human rights.
UN was responsible for bringing human rights into • Drafted by representatives with
different legal and cultural
the realm of international law through the Universal
backgrounds from all regions of
Declaration of Human Rights. the world, the Declaration was
Serves as a space for its members to manifest proclaimed by the United
their perspectives through its core organs and Nations General Assembly in
committees. Paris on December 10, 1948
• The organization has become an instrument (General Assembly resolution
for governments to identify spaces of 217 A) as a common standard
agreement and resolve problems collectively of achievements for all peoples
by enabling the exchange of opinions and all nations. It sets out, for
between and among its members and by the first time, fundamental
hosting consultations. human rights to be universally
carries the functions of delivering humanitarian aid, protected and it has been
promoting sustainable development, and upholding translated into over 500
international law. languages.
UNs Responsibilities
To maintain international peace and security.
The organization utilizes good offices, diplomacy, and mediation.
It does peacekeeping processes in countries with domestic conflicts and
peace-building tasks in countries freed from conflict, lessening the risk
of reversing into conflict and setting the groundwork for sustainable
peace and development.
It agrees on the global battle against terrorism and works for the
removal of nuclear weapons and other instruments of mass destruction.
In delivering humanitarian aid.
UN is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and supports
rapid humanitarian response for people affected by natural disasters and
armed conflict.
UNs Responsibilities
To protect human rights.
UN scrutinizes situations and issues reported to them and oversees the
exercise of international human rights agreements.
It takes responsibility for reviewing, monitoring, reporting, and commending
human rights from a country-based perspective.
It approaches human rights energy within the UN development system and
boosts awareness of the reasons and acts of genocides, warns relevant
players where there is a danger of genocide, promotes, and mobilizes for
relevant action.
Ultimately, it governs the conceptual, institutional, Political, and operational
advancement of the Responsibility to Protect.
The Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs)
was set to promote sustainable
development.
are 8 goals that UN Member States
have agreed to try to achieve by the
year 2015.
The United Nations Millennium
Declaration, signed in September 2000,
commits world leaders to combat
poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy,
environmental degradation, and
discrimination against women. T
he MDGs are derived from this
[Link] Declaration. Each MDG has targets set
pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(July%201).pdf for 2015 and indicators to monitor
progress from 1990 levels. Several of
[Link]
millennium-development-goals-(mdgs) these relate directly to health.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
also known as the Global Goals
These goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more
sustainable future for all.
these are 17 goals with 169 targets that all UN Member States have
agreed to work towards achieving by the year 2030.
This collection of 17 global goals covers social and economic issues
including:
The Challenges that UN faces
One of the challenges that UN has been facing since the organization's foundation is the
Security Council's veto power over resolutions. These challenges seem to hinder some of
the functions of UN.
For example:
The UN resolution in December 2017 that required US President Donald Trump to
withdraw the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel was vetoed by the
United States in the Security Council. In effect, the resolution was not passed. Some
states refuse to adopt resolutions and statements especially since the membership is on
voluntary basis. The new government of Lebanon openly defied the Security Council's
many resolutions on the Israeli-Lebanon conflict.
In 2017, the Philippines voted against a United Nations General Assembly
committee draft resolution on the human rights crisis in Myanmar concerning the
Rohingya people.
identify challenges
confronting UN
The United Nations Meets the Twenty-first Century: Confronting the based on
Challenges of Global Governance knowledge, norms,
(Weiss and Thakur, 2014) policy, institutions,
1. In terms of knowledge and compliance:
UN, is underappreciated regarding how its convening capacity and
mobilizing power are utilized to help funnel and consolidate knowledge
from outside and ensure its discussion and dissemination among
governments.
2. In terms of norms
The contrasting moral structures of social behavior in different member-
states complicate the formulation of a normative standard that can be
applicable to all.
3. In formulating propositions
Problems occur when only the member-states are heard.
UN belittle the helping hand of non governmental organizations (NGOs)
and the global public opinion. Sometimes, recommendations are not
executed.
4. Institutions can also be places where ideas are cornered and left
behind. The modality and processes for enforcing compliance with
international norms and laws are not present. In fact, some UN staff
members violate, cheat, and challenge them.
Despite the establishment of global norms and international
laws that nation-states should follow, the nation-states are
still relevant for there will be no intergovernmental
organization without them.
Also, international and multinational agreements are
designed by the states and propelled by the
initiatives that they undertake.
As Bertucci & Alberto (2018) affirm, the
sovereignty of nation-states in the midst of
globalization has not been diminished for the
cooperation and converted action among nation
states represent the greater exercise of their
sovereignty.
Furthermore, the on-states remain to be active
agents of local and transnational realms of
concern.
CONCLUSION:
Contemporary global governance defines the
political globalization.
Cooperation among nation-states is the only
way to reform and advance the roles and
functions of interstate relationships despite real
challenges being faced by United Nations.
