Why UN has enduring relevance at 75

WORLD leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, are participating in a virtual global summit this week to celebrate the United Nation's 75th birthday. While the international body is much criticised, this landmark anniversary year has underlined that it continues to have significant resilience and legitimacy three-quarters of a century after its creation.

Indeed, one of the few potential silver linings of the coronavirus pandemic is that it has shown yet again how global challenges can best be tackled through international, coordinated action - often led by the UN. And despite the deep decay of the post-1945 order, the remaining dense web of post-war international institutions - with the UN at the heart - continue to have major relevance decades after their birth. While these bodies are imperfect, and in need of significant reform, they have generally enabled international prosperity and security - especially with five of the key powers on the UN Security Council.

The UN's continuing relevance so long after 1945 underlines the wisdom of the critical mass of nations that decided, after World War II, to try to change the course of history by committing to work together for peace. In the decades since the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco, the world body has worked unwaveringly for peace, dialogue and cooperation to promote human rights, the rule of law, sustainable development, and fighting climate change. It has also played a critical role in supporting negotiated diplomatic solutions to conflicts as well as security and stabilisation through military and civilian missions.