UN's formation followed World War II to ensure peace

In 1945, the United Nations was established as a response to the devastation of World War II. The formation was largely influenced by the desire of the major Allied powers to maintain global peace and security, aiming to prevent future conflicts. The origins of the UN can be traced back to earlier agreements, particularly the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the Atlantic Charter signed by the Big Three—United Kingdom, United States, and the Soviet Union—along with China and 22 other nations in January 1942. This charter laid the groundwork for cooperation among nations, emphasizing the necessity of a collective international organization. During World War II, key leaders from the Allied nations acknowledged the critical need for collaboration to achieve a lasting peace. Meetings among leaders like Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin led to various declarations that set the agenda for post-war governance. The Moscow Declaration in October 1943 officially recognized the establishment of an overarching organization aimed at fostering international cooperation. The UN aimed to model itself on the principle of sovereign equality among all peace-loving states, offering membership to any nation committed to maintaining peace. However, the structure of the United Nations reflected the geopolitical realities of the time, where the victors of World War II desired to ensure their dominance in global affairs. The creation of the UN Security Council included five permanent members—United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China—each endowed with veto power to maintain their influence over critical decisions. This framework was controversial, as it concentrated power among a select few and led to criticisms regarding the effectiveness of the organization in achieving its foundational goals. Despite the UN's vision of cooperative governance and collective security, the realities of global politics often impeded its ability to mediate conflicts successfully. For decades, the UN has struggled to achieve its mandate of global peace, with many arguing that it has not been successful in preventing wars and conflicts since its inception.