United Nations System Overview

Flashcards covering the principal organs, subsidiary bodies, funds, programs, specialized agencies, and related organizations of the United Nations System.

General Assembly

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System, responsible for deliberative, policymaking, and representative functions.

Disarmament Commission

A subsidiary organ under the United Nations General Assembly.

Human Rights Council

A subsidiary organ under the United Nations General Assembly, responsible for promoting and protecting human rights.

International Law Commission

A subsidiary organ under the United Nations General Assembly, tasked with the codification and progressive development of international law.

UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

A fund and programme within the United Nations System, focusing on development assistance.

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

A fund and programme within the United Nations System, dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

WFP (World Food Programme)

A fund and programme within the United Nations System, providing food assistance worldwide.

UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

An entity within the United Nations System, mandated to protect refugees and assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement.

UN-WOMEN (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women)

An entity within the United Nations System dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Security Council

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System, primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Counter-Terrorism Committee

A subsidiary organ under the United Nations Security Council.

Peacebuilding Commission

A subsidiary organ under both the General Assembly and the Security Council, supporting peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System, responsible for coordinating economic, social, and related work of the UN.

Functional Commissions (e.g., Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Status of Women)

Commissions under the Economic and Social Council focusing on specific areas.

Regional Commissions (e.g., ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, ESCWA)

Commissions under the Economic and Social Council focusing on regional economic and social development.

UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS)

An inter-agency entity under the Economic and Social Council, coordinating global action on HIV/AIDS.

HLPF (High level political forum on sustainable development)

A subsidiary organ of both the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, serving as the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Secretariat

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System, comprising the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN.

OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

A department/office within the United Nations Secretariat, coordinating humanitarian responses.

OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)

A department/office within the United Nations Secretariat, promoting and protecting human rights as mandated by international law and conventions.

UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

A department/office within the United Nations Secretariat, assisting Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism.

International Court of Justice

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System, the principal judicial organ of the UN.

Trusteeship Council

One of the six principal organs of the United Nations System; suspended operations on 1 November 1994.

Related Organizations

Organizations that are separate and independent from the United Nations but have relationship agreements with the UN.

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

A related organization to the UN, serving as the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.

WTO (World Trade Organization)

A related organization to the UN, dealing with the rules of trade between nations.

Specialized Agencies

Autonomous organizations working with the United Nations, brought into relationship through agreements.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

A specialized agency of the UN, leading international efforts to defeat hunger.

ILO (International Labour Organization)

A specialized agency of the UN, devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.

IMF (International Monetary Fund)

A specialized agency of the UN, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

WHO (World Health Organization)

A specialized agency of the UN, responsible for international public health.

World Bank Group

A group of five international organizations (including IBRD, IDA, IFC) that make leveraged loans to developing countries for capital programs.

IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)

Part of the World Bank Group, providing loans to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.