As the United Nations prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary on October 24, 2025, the world’s eyes are once again on the iconic institution in New York. But instead of a jubilant commemoration, the milestone has sparked a wave of skepticism and debate about whether the UN is still fit for purpose in an era marked by financial strain, deepening geopolitical rifts, and mounting global crises.
Born from the ashes of World War II, the UN’s founding charter—signed by 50 countries in San Francisco in June 1945 and entering into force on October 24 that same year—was nothing short of ambitious. Its preamble pledged “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” and its 19 chapters and 111 articles laid out a framework for international cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution, humanitarian aid, and respect for human rights. The Charter also established the Security Council, with its five permanent, veto-wielding members (the US, China, Russia, France, and the UK), the General Assembly, and the International Court of Justice, among other organs.
Yet, as Global News reported on September 28, 2025, the UN’s relevance is now in question. Financial shortfalls, widening geopolitical divides, and open skepticism—especially from the United States—are testing the organization’s ability to maintain global diplomacy. Eric Sorensen of Global News noted that the UN’s mission is under scrutiny, with some suggesting that countries like Canada could play a pivotal role in its future direction.
During the recent General Assembly in New York, these tensions were on full display. US President Donald Trump did not mince words in his September 22 address, openly mocking the UN for its perceived ineffectiveness. “What is the purpose of the United Nations?” Trump asked, according to France 24. “All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter. It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve war.” He went further, taking a jab at Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s leadership: “The UN could be unbelievable with certain people running it.”
Guterres, for his part, sounded the alarm over US-led aid cuts, warning that they were “wreaking havoc” across the globe. His opening remarks underscored the urgency of the moment, as he insisted that the Charter “is a promise of peace, dignity and cooperation among nations.” But for many observers, the gap between promise and reality has never felt wider.
Kenyan President William Ruto, in an interview with France 24, echoed calls for reform, warning, “unless the UN is reformed, its own survival is at stake.” Ruto specifically called for changes to the Security Council and the international financial architecture, reflecting a growing consensus among developing nations that the UN’s power structures are outdated and unrepresentative.
Over the decades, the UN has expanded its portfolio far beyond what its founders could have imagined. Today, it boasts 193 member states and has launched missions on issues ranging from sustainable development goals for 2030 to climate action agreements aimed at limiting global warming. Yet, its core mission—preventing conflict—remains elusive. The Charter’s principles have been repeatedly violated, and the institution’s mechanisms for enforcing peace have often been stymied by political gridlock.
Chapter VII of the Charter gives the Security Council the authority to impose sanctions or even deploy military force if global peace is threatened. But the reality is far messier. Member states rarely agree on whether self-determination should trump non-interference, or if the right to self-defense can justify acts of aggression. The most glaring example in recent years is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Secretary-General Guterres and the General Assembly condemned the invasion as a clear violation of the Charter, the Security Council was paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.
“Once impunity reigns on one set of violations, one that’s never dealt with, it continues, and countries use it as justification for the actions that they take,” Gissou Nia, a fellow with the Atlantic Council, told AFP. She pointed out that the international community has never truly addressed the “crime of aggression”—whether in Russia’s war against Ukraine or the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Nia added, “For self-defense, you really have to show evidence of an imminent attack. I think that it’s one of the more contentious issues that involve the UN Charter and the narrative has really gotten away from us.”
The Charter does, on paper, allow for the expulsion of persistent violators. But in practice, this has never happened. The closest the UN came was in 1974, when it suspended South Africa from the General Assembly for its apartheid policies—a ban that lasted until the mid-1990s. Otherwise, even the most egregious breaches have gone largely unpunished, fueling criticism that the UN lacks teeth.
The recent US strike on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, justified by Washington as an act of “collective self-defense,” drew sharp rebukes from Iran and China, who accused the US of violating the Charter. This episode, as covered by France 24, highlighted the ongoing struggle to interpret and enforce the Charter’s provisions in a multipolar world where great powers often act with impunity.
Meanwhile, the UN’s ability to function is hampered by chronic financial woes. Aid cuts, particularly those led by the US, have undercut humanitarian programs and peacekeeping operations. As Global News pointed out, these shortfalls are compounded by rising skepticism about the UN’s effectiveness, especially in Washington, where some see the organization as little more than a talking shop.
Yet, amid the criticism and hand-wringing, some see opportunity. Canada, for example, has been mentioned as a country that could help bridge divides and reinvigorate the UN’s mission. With its history of peacekeeping and multilateral engagement, Canada is well-positioned to play a constructive role—if it chooses to step up.
As the UN marks its 80th year, the stakes could hardly be higher. The world faces a daunting array of challenges—from armed conflict and climate change to pandemics and rising authoritarianism. Whether the UN can adapt and deliver on its founding promise remains an open question. But one thing is clear: the debate over its relevance is far from over, and the organization’s future will depend on the willingness of its members to confront hard truths and pursue genuine reform.
For now, as diplomats file out of the General Assembly and the world reflects on eight tumultuous decades, the Charter’s words still echo—if only as a reminder of how far there is to go.