The United Nations Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, organizations, initiatives, and historical context related to the United Nations based on lecture notes.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace and humanitarian causes, replacing the League of Nations.

League of Nations

The international organization that preceded the UN, which struggled to prevent World War II.

General Assembly

The main deliberative organ of the UN, including all 193 member states and permanent observer states like the Holy See and Palestinian Authority.

Security Council

A principal organ of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consisting of fifteen countries, five of whom are permanent members.

Permanent Members of the Security Council

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who hold permanent seats and veto power.

Economic and Social Council

A principal organ of the UN that coordinates the economic and social works of the organization, including the UNCSW and CPD.

International Court of Justice

Also known as the World Court, it is the principal judicial organ of the UN that settles legal disputes between member states.

Secretariat

The organizational and administrative body of the UN, which provides administrative support to the other organs.

Secretary-General

The head of the Secretariat and the chief administrative officer, public face, and voice of the UN.

António Guterres

The current Secretary-General of the UN, a Portuguese politician elected in October 2016 and re-elected in 2021.

Trusteeship Council

A UN organ created to prepare eleven trust territories for self-governance and independence, which suspended operations after 1994.

United Nations Charter

The foundational treaty of the UN that outlines the terms and conditions for membership and operation.

World Health Organization (WHO)

An autonomous specialized agency of the UN that serves as the international authority for global public health matters.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Eight international development goals adopted by the UN in 2000 to advance global development.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Seventeen global goals set by the UN in 2015 as a successor to the MDGs, to be achieved by 2030, covering social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Paris Agreement

An international treaty negotiated at the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference that aims to limit global warming to less than 2°C above preindustrial levels.

UN Peacekeeping Mission

Operations involving troops and civilian personnel under UN authority sent into regions to maintain order and address security risks after conflicts.

Blue Helmets / Blue Berets

Common nicknames for UN peacekeepers, referring to their standard light-blue headgear.

Resolution 1325

A UN Security Council resolution passed in 2000, recognizing women's contributions to post-conflict reconstruction and urging increased female participation in peacekeeping.

COVAX

An international COVID-19 vaccination program co-led by the WHO, aimed at distributing vaccines globally, especially to lower-income countries.

Republic of China (ROC)

A founding member of the UN that lost its permanent Security Council seat in 1971 when the UN recognized the People's Republic of China.

People's Republic of China (PRC)

Recognized by the UN in 1971 as the sole legitimate government of China, replacing the ROC's seat.

Observer State Status

A non-member state entity, such as Palestine or the Holy See, that has the right to participate in General Assembly debates but not vote.

Veto Power (UN Security Council)

The right of the five permanent members of the Security Council to unilaterally block the adoption of any substantive resolution.