UN soft power and the SDGs: Promoting peace and security in conflict-prone societies

By Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director, Economic Research Forum (ERF), Member of the UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB)

The UN, established after World War II to maintain international peace and security, is perhaps more known for its “hard power” through the instruments of the UN Security Council (UNSC). That is coercive power, measured either through economic or military strength.  

For almost two decades of rare global power consensus since the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991, UNSC has authorized forty-eight peacekeeping operations (PKOs), including many amid active warfare. These operations have been very effective in shortening conflict duration and significantly lowering civilian casualties[1].   

However, as valuable as the coercive power of PKOs might be, after the fighting stops, the UN soft power[2] of peacebuilding, drawn from its compelling legitimacy and neutrality, has been the key driver for building consensus among former military protagonists and fractionalized social groups around the key tenets of the so-called “participatory” peace[3], such as security reforms, social contracts, constitutions, transitional post-conflict justice, and reconstruction.  Therefore, the “soft power” of the UN PKOs delivers a high-quality peace that could set the stage for national renewal and sustainable peace. 

Moreover, mounting peace-building experiences suggest that sustaining peace after the UN mission is ended has been a challenge, especially in the aftermath of ethnic wars in socially fractionalized societies.  Nonetheless, transformative, broad-based, sustainable post-conflict growth has been strongly associated with durable peace.  This is because transformative economic growth can promote inter-ethnic cooperation by enhancing national, supra-ethnic economic progress and welfare, hence mollifying inter-ethnic hostilities.  

Moreover, growth is not only a major driver of sustainable peace but also a major determinant of sustainable democracy[4]. Therefore, such transformative, broad-based, sustainable growth is essentially a euphemism for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making the case for SDGs as a potent “soft power” instrument in the UN arsenal of peacebuilding.   

The UN’s capacity to shape international agendas and norms through consensus-building and partnerships demonstrates its unparalleled ability to wield soft power effectively. A striking example is the UN’s role in advocating and advancing the SDGs. 

These goals exemplify the UN’s use of soft power in uniting countries, mobilizing resources, and influencing global action. The SDGs promote economic development and social justice and are critical in advancing international peace and security, particularly in regions prone to conflict.

Unlike binding treaties or hard-power initiatives, the SDGs operate through persuasion, inclusivity, and collaboration. They outline actionable goals while allowing countries to tailor strategies based on their unique circumstances. This participatory approach enhances global legitimacy, ensuring that nations feel ownership over their goals.

Central to the UN’s soft power approach is its ability to forge partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The SDGs provide a shared framework for these actors to collaboratively address the root causes of conflict.

Economic development, which reduces inequality and poverty, is closely tied to reducing conflict risk. In this regard, the UN uses its soft power to engage nations, institutions, and communities in aligning their efforts with the SDGs. By addressing root causes of instability, such as economic disparity, lack of education, and environmental degradation, the UN helps build more resilient and peaceful societies.

Several key initiatives under the SDG framework illustrate how the UN applies its soft power to drive tangible global change, such as in the areas of Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3); Quality Education (SDG 4); Gender Equality (SDG 5); and Climate Action (SDG 13). 

All such goals are symbiotically related to peacebuilding, but let us highlight how the UN used its commitment to gender equality to highlight the role of African women through the lens of peacebuilding.  In this context, the UNESCO report argues that “African women’s roles include being bridge-builders, caregivers, peace promoters... and were seen as symbols of unity between different families, clans, communities and ethnic groups”[5].

Challenges to UN soft power

Despite its successes, the UN’s reliance on soft power is not without challenges. Geopolitical rivalries, nationalism, and unequal resource distribution sometimes hinder global consensus and implementation of the SDGs. Furthermore, the voluntary nature of the SDGs means that progress often depends on political will and resource availability, which vary widely among nations.

Furthermore, skepticism about multilateral institutions and concerns about bureaucratic inefficiencies can undermine the UN’s credibility. To maintain its soft power, the UN must continually adapt, engage emerging actors, address criticisms, and enhance transparency.

Conclusion

The UN’s role in promoting the 2030 Agenda underscores the enduring relevance of soft power in shaping global norms and inspiring collective action. By leveraging its moral authority, convening power, and ability to build consensus, the UN has mobilized countries, organizations, and individuals to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

As the world navigates complex issues such as climate change, inequality, and technological transformation, the UN’s soft power will remain a cornerstone of its mission to create a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future. Through initiatives like the SDGs, the organization demonstrates that the path to progress lies not in coercion but in collaboration, shared values, and a united vision for humanity.

In conflict-plagued regions, anchoring peacekeeping forces with innovative programmes that foster collaboration, build institutional capacity, and advocate for inclusive policies should enhance the prospects for enduring peace long after the peacekeeping forces have left. 

Therefore, I would argue that the UN’s most compelling “weapon” that has the potential to break the cycle of violence and conflict and bring about enduring peace is its soft power, most notably the SDGs, which is the only game in town for addressing the root causes of civil wars and conflicts.

* The views expressed in this blog are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UN DESA.