IPRI Revisits WWII Triumph, UN Founding Principles in Changing Times
— April 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) The Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on Monday organised a roundtable conference to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War (WWII) and the establishment of the United Nations (UN).
The event gathered scholars, diplomats, and analysts to discuss the significance of these historical events and their lasting impact on international relations, said a press release.
Speakers at the roundtable included Igor Kolesnikov, Press Attaché at the Russian Embassy; Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal from Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU); Alexey Kuprianov, journalist; Dr Gul-i-Ayesha Bhatti from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST); Ambassador Masood Khalid, former ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; Dr Salma Malik from QAU; and Dr Ali Ehsan from DHA University.
The conference opened with an overview of the Soviet Union’s role in ending WWII. Participants highlighted the strategic efforts, sacrifices, and military campaigns that were critical in defeating the Axis powers. The discussion underscored how the outcome of the war laid the foundation for the establishment of the UN in 1945, with the aim of promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations.
Speakers reflected on the commitment made by the founding members of the UN to prevent the recurrence of global conflicts. It was noted that the Charter of the UN embodied these collective aspirations, outlining principles of sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for international law.
The discussion then turned to the changing dynamics of the international order. It was observed that the current global environment is experiencing a transition from a multilateral system, traditionally centred on institutions like the UN, towards a more multipolar world. Participants examined the rise of regional powers and the formation of new alliances, which are influencing the str