Topic: 2025 – Responsibility of International Organizations
Country: Bahrain
Delegate Name: Kaitlyn Gruber
Ensuring both that international organizations are held responsible for their actions and that there are defined responsibilities for international organizations is necessary for a smoothly functioning society. Without the influence of international organizations (IO’s), we wouldn’t have the WHO, NATO, or even the UN; all important in protecting, establishing, and upholding international law. These vital organizations encourage cooperation and communication between nations, handling large scale issues, providing necessary resources, and establishing peaceful relations. However, like all things, they can fail and actions taken by IO’s can result in disaster. In 1995 the UN neglected to prevent the Srebrenica massacre, a glaring example of a time where an IO lacked the urgency and didn’t provide the resources needed to quash the conflict before it became a genocide. Despite the UN declaring Srebrenica a supposed “safe area,” a place under the protection of UN peacekeeping forces and to be protected with “all necessary means, including the use of force,” it still suffered mass civilian casualties amounting to over 8,000 and large-scale destruction. The reason for preventable genocides such as this occurring are a combination of weak command structures, unclear mandates, and poorly implemented support, demonstrating how institutional flaws and lack of responsibility can lead to the most catastrophic consequences. Recognizing these pressing challenges, global action has been taken to reinforce accountability within these institutions. The UN specifically has strengthened oversight internally through the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), established to audit operations, investigate misconduct, and promote transparency. Other reforms such as the “Human Rights Up Front” initiative are intended to ensure that threats to civilian populations are handled quickly and efficiently rather than being ignored until it’s too late. Meanwhile, the World Bank and the International Criminal Court have further expanded and enforced their integrity frameworks and due-diligence requirements to reduce abuse, corruption, and operational oversights. While such actions are important step forward, they are only the beginning. A universally recognized system of responsibility is essential to ensure that international organizations uphold their mandates and be held accountable for their actions to prevent repeated and catastrophic failures. Strengthening oversight, clarifying mandates, and ensuring greater transparency will not only enhance the legitimacy of IO’s but also reinforce their capacity to foster international cooperation, protect human rights, and maintain global stability.
The nation of Bahrain is committed to addressing the vitally important topic of Responsibility of International Organization. While Bahrain hasn’t struggled directly with a need for UN intervention of any kind, it does recognize that this need is prevalent in other nations and stands to support the United Nations and other such organization’s efforts. The kingdom of Bahrain holds a strong commitment to international cooperation and participates in organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, and Gulf Cooperation Council with the shared intent to both bolster lasting international relations and to contribute to global cooperation efforts, achieving shared prosperity and security. We have been vocal in our support of international law and the rights of peoples to self-determination and the legal opinions of international bodies such as the International Court of Justice. Every nation should posses the same commitment to establishing solutions to global issues through support of international organizations, if we are able to increase support of and for individual nations then the issues of security, humanitarian aid, and other such things would be lesser, crating a better world. However, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, national sovereignty, must be upheld and maintained. The specific responsibilities of international organizations is something that must be properly defined and implemented to ensure improvement in the state of society on a global scale.
Going into this committee session, the kingdom of Bahrain hopes to see proposals reinforcing international cooperation by clarifying the roles, duties, and oversight of international organizations, to ensure that these international organizations act responsibly and consistently across all regions. Many international organizations have faced challenges due to limited enforcement capabilities, inconsistent member-state compliance, or gaps in internal monitoring systems. Bahrain looks forward to working with fellow member states to design innovative approaches and global frameworks that ensure international organizations fulfill their responsibilities with integrity. Together, we can reinforce global trust and build international institutions that serve the interests of all nations.
