United Nations (UN)

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that was established on October 24, 1945, with the aim of promoting international cooperation and resolving global issues. The UN is headquartered in New York City and has 193 member states.

The UN has 6 main organs:

1) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) :

 United Nations General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the United Nations and is composed of all 193 member states. It meets annually in a regular session, which usually begins in September and lasts for several months.

The UNGA provides a forum for member states to discuss and coordinate on a wide range of international issues, including peace and security, economic development, human rights, and environmental sustainability. During its sessions, the UNGA considers and adopts resolutions on a variety of topics, such as disarmament, the promotion of human rights, and the allocation of resources for development.

The UNGA also elects non-permanent members to the UN Security Council and appoints the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In addition, the UNGA has the power to make recommendations on any matter within the scope of the UN Charter, although its decisions are not legally binding.

The UNGA has several subsidiary bodies, including committees and commissions that deal with specific issues. For example, the Third Committee of the UNGA focuses on social, humanitarian, and cultural issues, while the Sixth Committee deals with legal matters.

The UNGA operates on the principle of "one country, one vote," meaning that each member state has an equal say in the General Assembly's decision-making process. This principle, however, does not apply to decisions made by the Security Council, where the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have veto power over substantive decisions.

 

2) United Nations Security Council (UNSC) :

 UNSC is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The UNSC has 15 members, five of which are permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten of which are non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

The UNSC has the authority to authorize the use of military force and impose economic sanctions against countries that threaten international peace and security. It also has the power to establish peacekeeping missions, which are deployed to conflict zones to monitor ceasefires and help restore stability.

The UNSC's decisions are binding on all member states of the UN, and each member has one vote. However, the five permanent members have the power of veto, which means that any substantive decision requires the affirmative votes of at least nine members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This veto power has been a subject of controversy and criticism, as it can allow a single permanent member to block any decision, even if it has the support of the majority of the UNSC.

The UNSC has several subsidiary bodies, such as committees and working groups, which focus on specific issues related to international peace and security. For example, the Counter-Terrorism Committee was established to monitor the implementation of resolutions related to combating terrorism, while the Sanctions Committees are responsible for implementing and monitoring sanctions imposed by the UNSC.

The UNSC's decisions have a significant impact on international affairs, and its role in maintaining peace and security is crucial in addressing global conflicts and threats.

 

3) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) : 

ECOSOC is responsible for promoting economic and social development, as well as international cooperation in these areas. ECOSOC has 54 members, which are elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms.

ECOSOC plays a crucial role in coordinating the economic and social work of the UN and its specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It also works with regional organizations and civil society groups to promote sustainable development and address global challenges.

ECOSOC has several subsidiary bodies, such as functional commissions and expert groups, which focus on specific issues related to economic and social development. For example, the Commission on Population and Development works to promote sustainable development policies that take into account population trends, while the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations is responsible for accrediting and monitoring the activities of non-governmental organizations that have consultative status with ECOSOC.

ECOSOC has the power to make recommendations on a wide range of economic and social issues, such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Its decisions and recommendations are not legally binding, but they can have a significant impact on international policy and development efforts.

Overall, ECOSOC's role in promoting economic and social development is crucial in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eliminate poverty, reduce inequalities, and promote environmental sustainability by 2030.

 

4)  International Court of Justice (ICJ) :

ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is located in The Hague, Netherlands. It was established in 1945 and has two main functions: to settle legal disputes between states and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, and other UN organs.

The ICJ is composed of 15 judges who are elected by the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council for nine-year terms. The judges represent a range of legal systems and traditions, and they work independently of their home countries.

The ICJ hears cases brought by states that have agreed to its jurisdiction, either through a special agreement or by becoming parties to the ICJ's Statute. The cases can involve disputes over territorial boundaries, maritime rights, human rights, and other legal issues. The ICJ's decisions are binding and final, and the parties to the dispute are required to comply with them.

In addition to settling legal disputes between states, the ICJ also provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, and other UN organs. The opinions are non-binding, but they can be influential in shaping international law and policy.

The ICJ plays an important role in promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes between states and upholding the rule of law in international relations. Its decisions and advisory opinions contribute to the development of international law and help to resolve conflicts between states in a peaceful manner.

5) Secretariat :

 Secretariat is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day work of the organization. The Secretariat is headquartered in New York City and has offices and staff around the world.

The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the UN General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year term. The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the UN and is responsible for managing the organization's staff, budget, and programs.

The Secretariat provides support to the UN's main organs, such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council, as well as to its subsidiary bodies and specialized agencies. It also carries out a range of activities in areas such as peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and development.

The Secretariat's staff includes both permanent employees and temporary staff, such as consultants and contractors. They work in a range of fields, including political affairs, human rights, public information, and administration.

One of the key roles of the Secretariat is to provide information and support to member states, non-governmental organizations, and other partners. It does this through publications, briefings, and other forms of communication, as well as through training and capacity-building programs.

Overall, the United Nations Secretariat plays a crucial role in supporting the work of the UN and advancing its mission to promote peace, development, and human rights around the world.

 

6) Trusteeship Council :

Trust territories were territories that had been previously controlled by colonial powers and were deemed not yet ready for self-government. The Trusteeship Council was tasked with overseeing the progress of these territories towards independence and self-government.

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 under the UN Charter, and its main functions included the approval of trust agreements, the supervision of the administration of trust territories, and the promotion of the political, economic, social, and educational development of those territories.

The Trusteeship Council was composed of five permanent members: China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as ten non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for renewable three-year terms. The Council held its meetings at UN Headquarters in New York City.

In 1994, the last trust territory, Palau, became independent, and the Trusteeship Council suspended its operations. It still technically exists, but it currently meets only once a year to conduct procedural business.