NATIONAL ECONOMIC UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS
--------oOo-------
GROUP WORK
Topic: WHAT ROLE DOES THE UN PLAY IN INTERNATIONAL LIFE
Group members : Nguyễn Hồng Anh (11210514)
Nguyễn Duy Anh (11210485)
Nguyễn Đình Anh (11210476)
Group :2
Class : International Economies 63A (AEP)
Lecturer : Ph.D Vu Van Ngoc
1
Table of Contents
Contents
1. DEFINITION.......................................................................................................3
1.1. WHAT IS UN:...................................................................................................3
1.2. TARGETS:.........................................................................................................3
1.3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:.......................................................................3
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UN.............................3
3. ROLES OF UN IN INTERNATIONAL LIFE..................................................4
3.1. MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY....................................4
3.2. PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS............................................................................5
3.3. DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN AIDS...................................................................6
3.4. SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT......................................................7
3.5. PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL LAW...................................................................8
4. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIETNAM AND THE UN............................10
4.1. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIETNAM AND UN? WHY VIETNAM JOINING
UN IS IMPORTANT?...............................................................................................10
4.2. HOW DOES THE UN HELP VN?......................................................................11
4.3. WHAT DOES VIETNAM NEED TO DO TO STRENGTHEN ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE UN?...............................................................................................................11
5. IN CONCLUSION.............................................................................................12
2
1. DEFINITION
1.1. What is UN:
United Nations (UN), an international organization established on October 24,
1945. The United Nations (UN) was the second multipurpose international
organization established in the 20th century that was worldwide in scope and
membership. Its predecessor, the League of Nations, was created by the Treaty of
Versailles in 1919 and disbanded in 1946. Headquartered in New York City, the
UN also has regional offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Its official languages
are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
1.2. Targets:
In addition to maintaining peace and security, other important objectives include
developing friendly relations among countries based on respect for the principles
of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; achieving worldwide cooperation
to solve international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems;
respecting and promoting human rights; and serving as a center where countries
can coordinate their actions and activities toward these various ends.
The UN formed a continuum with the League of Nations in general purpose,
structure, and functions; many of the UN’s principal organs and related agencies
were adopted from similar structures established earlier in the century. In some
respects, however, the UN constituted a very different organization, especially with
regard to its objective of maintaining international peace and security and its
commitment to economic and social development.
1.3. Organizational structure:
The United Nations has six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security
Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the
International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
3
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UN
The UN may not be a perfect organization but the founding of it is important. It is
the only global organization in the world that brings together all countries on an
equal footing.
The founding of the UN after the Cold War was essential because it provided a
forum for international cooperation, promoted human rights, and protected the
world from another world war. The UN continues to play an important role in
international life today.
In the aftermath of the Cold War, the UN had to deal with numerous new
difficulties, including the rise of ethnic nationalism, the proliferation of small arms,
and the threat of terrorism. The role of the UN becomes more important for a
number of reasons:
- To prevent a second Cold War: The intense tension between the United
States and the Soviet Union had almost brought the world to the brink of
nuclear war. The UN was founded in 1945 to prevent the chance of another
world war
- To promote global cooperation: The UN is a place where countries can
sit down together to discuss and resolve common problems without using
violence. It also provides a framework for cooperation on issues such as
trade, development, and human rights.
- To protect human rights: The UN also has a number of agencies and
programs that work to promote and protect human rights around the world
3. ROLES OF UN IN INTERNATIONAL LIFE
3.1. Maintaining international peace and security
The United Nations was created in 1945, following the devastation of the Second
World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and
security. The UN accomplishes this by working to prevent conflict, helping parties
in conflict make peace, deploying peacekeepers, and creating the conditions to
allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should
reinforce one another, to be effective.
The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and
security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important,
and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.
4
The UN accomplishes this through a variety of means, including:
Conflict prevention: The UN works to prevent conflict from arising by
addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and
discrimination. The UN also works to build trust and cooperation between
countries and to promote peaceful conflict resolution.
Peacekeeping: When conflict does erupt, the UN may deploy peacekeeping
missions to help maintain peace and security. Peacekeepers are unarmed or
lightly armed military personnel who work to create a stable environment in
which peace can take root. They may also help to provide humanitarian
assistance and support the reconstruction of war-torn societies.
Peacebuilding: The UN works to help countries transition from conflict to
peace and to build sustainable peace. This may involve supporting the
development of democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and
strengthening the rule of law.
Example:
El Salvador was engulfed in a civil conflict at the beginning of the 1990s that
resulted in the deaths of over 75,000 people. The Farabundo Mart National
Liberation Front (FMLN), a rebel organization, and the government reached a
peace deal in 1991, and the UN Security Council formed the United Nations
Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) to monitor its implementation.
A success, ONUSAL. It assisted in overseeing the execution of the peace deal,
which contained clauses requiring a ceasefire, the FMLN's demobilization, and the
creation of a new civilian police force. Additionally, ONUSAL was crucial in
advancing democratic and human rights improvements in El Salvador.
3.2. Promoting human rights
The United Nations (UN) plays a vital role in promoting human rights. The UN
Charter, which was signed in 1945, states that one of the purposes of the UN is to
"promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms
for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
The UN sends out many peacekeeping operations and peace-building missions.
Working on the ground, human rights teams are responsible for protecting
5
civilians, addressing conflict-related human rights violations, and strengthening
respect for human rights and the rule of law
The UN promotes human rights in various ways:
Developing international human rights standards: The UN has developed
a number of international human rights standards, such as the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. These standards provide a framework for protecting and
promoting human rights around the world.
Monitoring and reporting on human rights: The UN monitors and reports
on human rights in countries around the world. This helps to raise awareness
of human rights abuses and to pressure governments to improve their human
rights records.
Providing technical assistance and training: The UN provides technical
assistance and training to governments and civil society organizations to
help them improve their human rights practices.
Supporting human rights defenders: The UN supports human rights
defenders, who are people who work to promote and protect human rights.
This support can include providing financial assistance, training, and
security.
Example:
Child labor is a serious human rights violation that deprives children of their
education, their childhood, and their basic human rights.
The UN has been working to combat child labor for decades. In 1999, the UN
adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which sets out a number of
rights for children, including the right to be protected from child labor.
3.3. Delivering humanitarian aids
According to the United Nations Charter, one of its goals is to "achieve
international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social,
cultural, or humanitarian character." The United Nations initially did this in the
aftermath of World War II on the destroyed continent of Europe, which it assisted
in rebuilding.
The world community increasingly looks to the Organisation to manage
humanitarian relief for natural and man-made disasters in areas where national
authorities alone cannot provide assistance.
6
The UN's entities work in concert to provide a system-wide approach to
humanitarian relief:
The United Nations Development Program is responsible for natural disaster
mitigation, prevention and preparedness. When emergencies occur, UNDP
works with governments to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts at the
national level.
The UN Refugee Agency was founded after World War II to help Europeans
displaced by that conflict. Today, UNHCR takes the lead in protecting
refugees and solving the problems they face.
UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian
organization by using effective, low-cost solutions to address the biggest
threats to their survival. In response to today's protracted conflicts, UNICEF
also intervenes on children's behalf with governments and warring parties to
protect children, free child soldiers and arrange ceasefires to allow children
access to lifesaving health and nutrition services.
The World Food Program mobilizes food and transport financing to provide
relief to victims of disasters and the refugees under UNHCR's care.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations helps farmers
re-establish production following floods, outbreaks of livestock disease and
similar emergencies.
The FAO Global Information and Early Warning System issues monthly
reports on the global world food situation that governments and
humanitarian aid organizations rely upon to identify impending food
shortages.
The World Health Organization coordinates the international response to
humanitarian health emergencies, like the coronavirus pandemic, ranging
from disease outbreaks to conflicts to natural disasters. WHO takes the lead
on global health matters, including setting the research agenda and norms
and standards, issuing policy options, providing countries with technical
support and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Example: Conflict and humanitarian crises have threatened Syrians' lives for a
decade. Due to limited testing, it’s impossible to assess the true scope of the
COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus has spread across the country. The depreciating
7
Syrian pound and oil and wheat shortages have helped spark an annual increase in
the cost of a basic basket of food by 236 percent.
The UN Security Council's extension of the cross-border resolution kept the Bab
al-Hawa Border Crossing open so that food, medicine and other lifesaving services
could get into the country.
3.4. Supporting sustainable development
Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.
Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive,
sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet.
For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to harmonize three core
elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. These
elements are interconnected and all are crucial for the well-being of individuals
and societies.
Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement
for sustainable development. To this end, there must be promotion of sustainable,
inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all,
reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social
development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management
of natural resources and ecosystems.
The United Nations launched its sustainable development agenda in 2015,
reflecting the growing understanding by Member States that a development model
that is sustainable for this and future generations offers the best path forward for
reducing poverty and improving the lives of people everywhere.
Building a more sustainable global economy will help reduce the greenhouse gas
emissions that cause climate change. It is, therefore, critically important that the
international community meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals – and also
the targets for reducing emissions set in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.
8
Sustainable development and climate action are linked – and both are vital to the
present and future well-being of humanity.
Example: The UN is the agenda setter of the SDGs in 2015 which is the most
comprehensive and prominent example of the UN’s commitment to sustainable
development.
The UN encourages countries to set goals for sustainability. Vietnam is strongly
committed to implementing sustainable development goals with the goal of
increasing the proportion of renewable energy to 40% by 2045.
3.5. Promoting international law
Among the greatest achievements of the United Nations is the development of a
body of international law, which is central to promoting economic and social
development, as well as to advancing international peace and security. Many of the
treaties brought about by the United Nations form the basis of the law that governs
relations among nations.
The Charter of the United Nations specifically calls on the Organization to help in
the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, including arbitration
and judicial settlement (Article 33), and to encourage the progressive development
of international law and its codification (Article 13).
3.5.1. The UN General Assembly as a forum for adopting multilateral treaties
The General Assembly is composed of representatives from each UN Member
State and is the main deliberative body on matters relating to international law.
Many multilateral treaties are in fact adopted by the General Assembly and
subsequently opened for signature and ratification.
The UN has been at the forefront of efforts to provide a legal framework in such
areas as protecting the environment, regulating migrant labor, curbing drug
trafficking, and combating terrorism.
3.5.2. Development and codification of international law
Firstly, the UN General Assembly established the International Law Commission
in order to promote the progressive development of international law and its
codification.
9
They address issues relevant to the regulation of relations among states, and
frequently consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the
International Court of Justice, and UN specialized agencies.
Secondly, the UN has taken a leading role in efforts to advance International
Humanitarian Law, which encompasses the principles and rules that regulate the
means and methods of warfare, as well as humanitarian protection.
3.5.3. Judicial settlement of disputes
International Court of Justice
The primary United Nations organ for the settlement of disputes is the International
Court of Justice. In its judgments, the Court has addressed international disputes
involving economic rights, rights of passage, the non-use of force, non-interference
in the internal affairs of states, diplomatic relations, hostage-taking, the right of
asylum, and nationality.
International Criminal Justice
Furthermore, the international community had long aspired to create a permanent
international court to try the most serious international crimes, which reached
consensus on definitions of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in
the 20th century.
Tribunals
After the Second World War, UN-assisted tribunals have continued to contribute to
combating impunity and promoting accountability for the most serious crimes. In
the 1990s, the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
and for Rwanda (ICTR) were established to try crimes committed within a specific
time-frame and during a specific conflict.
The International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals
who commit genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It will also have
jurisdiction over the crime of aggression when an agreement is reached on the
definition of such a crime.
10
4. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIETNAM AND THE UN
4.1. The relationship between Vietnam and UN? Why Vietnam joining UN is
important?
4.1.1. The relationship between Vietnam and the UN?
Vietnam - United Nations relations over the past 45 years have contributed to
protecting and promoting national interests, especially maintaining and
strengthening an environment of peace, security, and favorable conditions for
national development. . ; promoting deeper international integration, contributing
to enhancing Vietnam's position and image in the international arena; deepen
Vietnam's relations with other countries, important partners and friends; Take
advantage of important resources to serve the country's development.
On the other hand, Vietnam actively and increasingly contributes to United
Nations activities, including promoting the role of the United Nations and
multilateralism, promoting respect for the United Nations Charter. United Nations,
international law, equal relations, development cooperation between nations and
the right to self-determination of peoples, opposing acts of oppression, aggression,
and unilateral embargoes in international relations economic; Participate in
discussions and pass many important resolutions and declarations of the United
Nations on development cooperation, disarmament, anti-proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, anti-terrorism and security. ensure human rights.
4.1.2. Why is Vietnam joining the UN is important?
Vietnam is considered by the United Nations and the international community to
be a successful example in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and
a country that is determined and serious in implementing the 2030 Agenda for
Development. sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on climate
change. Vietnam also actively promotes United Nations reform initiatives,
especially being considered one of the leading countries implementing the United
Nations' "United Action" initiative to increase the effectiveness of UN operations.
United Nations at the national level. With its contributions, Vietnam has been
trusted and elected to many important positions and agencies of the United Nations
and has left a strong mark on Vietnam in agencies such as the Security Council and
the United Nations Human Rights Council. United Nations, Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC).
11
4.2. How does the UN help VN?
During the most difficult years, the United Nations was the only multilateral aid
channel to help Vietnam rebuild its socio-economic infrastructure and stabilize
people's lives. When Vietnam carried out the Doi Moi process in 1986 and
throughout the subsequent development process, the United Nations was a partner
who always stood side by side, helping Vietnam effectively build the institutions of
the economy. market economy, developing human resources, implementing
development goals, solving social problems, and bringing millions of people out of
poverty. In particular, recently, during the devastating COVID-19 storm, the
COVAX program supported a large amount of vaccines for Vietnam, bringing
confidence and touching the hearts of every Vietnamese person about a United
Nations imbued with noble human values.
4.3. What does Vietnam need to do to strengthen its relationship with the UN?
The United Nations Secretary-General also mentioned current major global
challenges such as the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine
causing increased food and energy prices, increasing inflation; and Climate
change, which Vietnam is also severely suffering from. He paid special attention to
climate change and rising sea levels and said that, without joint global climate
action, in just this decade, more than one million Vietnamese people could be
pushed into poverty. extreme poverty. At that time, the economic damage of
climate change in Vietnam could increase 50 times by 2050.
To respond to this situation, he said that the G20 economies, which account for
80% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of global GDP, need to be
pioneering countries. Developed countries must keep their promise to provide 100
billion USD to support developing countries in strengthening their resilience to
climate change.
In that context, the United Nations Secretary General welcomed Vietnam's strong
decision to accelerate coal power reduction, launch the renewable energy
revolution and achieve the net zero emissions target by 2050. But Vietnam needs
support to accelerate the transition and greening of the economy.
Emphasizing the need to establish a Partnership for a Fair Energy Transition, he
assessed that Vietnam is a leading country in that process, pioneering in
establishing a new cooperation framework to promote progress towards a fair and
inclusive transition to renewable energy.
12
Through the Partnership for a Just Energy Transition, Vietnam is becoming a new
development model for the world to refer to. But to be successful, it is necessary to
mobilize the entire society, both state and private resources. Secretary General
António Guterres said that he will personally join in promoting partners to
implement investment, technical and financial support quickly, on a large scale,
and with many incentives for Vietnam.
5. IN CONCLUSION
In summary, the United Nations plays a multifaceted and vital role in international
life. The UN serves as a critical international organization that addresses global
challenges, encourages international collaboration, and works to make the world a
more peaceful, egalitarian, and sustainable place. Its responsibilities are broad,
reflecting the complex and interrelated nature of international life. As it continues
to evolve and adapt, the UN remains an indispensable institution, constantly
working to turn the ideals of peace, equality, and sustainability into tangible global
realities. Its influence reverberates throughout international life, offering a glimmer
of optimism and cooperation in a world that is often beset by challenges and
complexities.
13
