What are the top 10 most impactful decisions made by the United Nations recently?

1. Adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): In 2015, the UN member states unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which included 17 SDGs to address the world’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and hunger.

2. Paris Agreement on Climate Change: The UN facilitated the negotiations leading to the Paris Agreement in 2015, which committed countries to combat climate change and limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. It set the framework for global climate action and encouraged countries to adopt renewable energy sources.

3. Global Compact on Migration: In 2018, the UN adopted a non-binding agreement called the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, aimed at addressing the challenges of international migration. It provided a comprehensive framework for cooperation while protecting the rights of migrants.

4. Iran Nuclear Deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action): The UN Security Council endorsed the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2015, restricting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Although the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, it remains a significant decision in promoting non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

5. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): The ATT, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2013, established the first-ever international framework to regulate the global trade in conventional weapons. It aimed to prevent illicit arms trafficking and reduce human suffering caused by conflict.

6. Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC): The UN played a crucial role in the creation of the ICC, a permanent international court established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. The Rome Statute, adopted in 1998, provided the legal basis for the ICC and was a significant step in the fight against impunity.

7. UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on the Syrian Crisis: In 2015, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, outlining a roadmap for ending the Syrian civil war. It called for a ceasefire, political transition, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian access and accountability for war crimes.

8. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): The CRPD, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006, is an international human rights treaty protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It strengthens inclusion and accessibility while addressing discrimination faced by people with disabilities worldwide.

9. Sustainable Development Goals Summit: In September 2019, the UN convened a high-level summit to review progress towards the SDGs. The event reflected the UN’s commitment to mobilize global action, accelerate implementation efforts, and increase ambition to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

10. Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: The UN has been actively involved in coordinating global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It created the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, facilitated the sharing of scientific information, provided support to vulnerable countries, and advocated for equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.