Elvira Pushkareva
Acrylic on canvas, 100 x 140 cm, 2023.
The UN is made up of 193 sovereign states, making it the world’s largest intergovernmental organization. Nevertheless, the questioning of the UN’s independence by donors is a concerning issue that requires condemnation from the international community.
The United Nations was founded in the aftermath of World War II with the aim of preventing another catastrophic conflict. It currently stands as the world’s largest intergovernmental organization, comprised of 193 member states. The UN consists of several main bodies, including the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. Additionally, the UN System encompasses various funds, programs, and specialized agencies, such as UNEP (which focuses on protecting the environment), UNICEF (which provides aid to children worldwide), UNESCO (which fosters cooperation in education, arts, and sciences), UNDP (which promotes democratic governance and peacebuilding), and IMO (which deals with maritime issues), among others.
The UN Charter established the international character and independence of its civil servants and prohibits them from seeking or receiving instructions from any external authority. However, the UN frequently lacks sufficient funding to implement its goals, necessitating additional support. Unfortunately, some state donors have begun offering financial support under certain conditions, including the ability to choose which project goals to fund. This practice undermines the principle of independence and diminishes the UN’s authority. Although donors may offer extra support to UN country offices, they should not have the unilateral power to decide which goals take priority.