International Organizations

Hugo Grotius

Hugo Grotius

Known as the Father of International Law, he developed a system of international law and distinguished between just and unjust wars.

International Telegraphic Union

Later known as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), one of the oldest international organizations.

League of Nations

The first international organization after WWI, failed to confront determined aggressors but laid the foundation for future international organizations.

United Nations Organization (UN)

193 member states, Established after WWII to promote international cooperation and peace

Characteristics of International Organizations

Key aspects include intergovernmental representation, founding by a Constitutive Treaty, permanent system of organs, autonomous will, own competence, and institutionalization.

UN Charter

Key articles include Article 2.4 on the role of force, Article 51 allowing states to use force in self-defense, and Article 33 outlining dispute settlement procedures.

World Bank Group

Comprising the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Intergovernmental

Representation of states, ex. UN

Supranational

Economic and political integration of states, Member States transfer some of their sovereign powers, ex. EU

UN Charter Article 2.4

The role of force, There is no unified system of sanctions, there are circumstances in which the use of force is regarded as justified and legal

UN Charter Article 51

States may use force in self-defense, must be immediate, must be proportionate to original attack

Bretton Woods Agreement

creation of a new world economic order, 1944, made up of the WTO, IMF, and World Bank Group

Ius Cogen

Top rule, must be followed by all members, prohibited international crimes, without exception and in any circumstance, both in time of peace and in time of war

Ius Dispositivum

Needs express consent of member states

UN 6 Major Organs

General Assembly (UNGA), Security Council (UNSC), International Court of Justice (ICJ), Secretariat, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council

EU 7 Institutions

European Council, European Parliament, Council of the European Union, European Commission, Court of Justice of the European Union, European Central Bank, Court of Auditors

EU 4 Subsidiary Organs

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Committee of the Regions, European Investment Bank (EIB), European Ombudsman

UN Decision

affirmative vote of 9/15 SC members without veto from 5 permanent members; affirmative vote of ⅔ of the GA

EU Decision

qualified majority; double majority system, 55% of states and 65% of population

Passive Right to Establish IO

accreditation before IO of diplomatic missions representing states

Active Right to Establish IO

sending diplomatic missions of IO to represent the IO before states or other IOs

UN Charter Article 33

• dispute settlements by the following means

  • Negotiation - may not reach solution if they don’t want to

  • Mediation - always come up with a plan

  • Enquiry - commission of enquiry, submits a final report that is not binding but just advisory 

  • Conciliation - commission of conciliation, final report is not binding it is just advisory 

  • International arbitration 

  • Judicial settlement 

  • Resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice

World Bank

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA)

GATT

WTO Treaty, international treaty, liberalization of commodities

GATS

WTO Treaty, liberalization of services

TRIPS

WTO Treaty, intellectual property

UNESCO

194 member states and 12 associate members, world heritage sites, works to preserve culture, build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture, UN specialized agency

International Labor Organization (ILO)

187 members, Promoting jobs, protecting people, promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, UN specialized agency

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

190 member, Fosters economic growth and employment by providing temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment and technical assistance, Global currency exchange rates, UN specialized agency

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

178 Member States, Cooperation in the nuclear field; promote the safe, secure, peaceful use of nuclear technology; UN specialized agency

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Works for stability, peace and democracy for more than a billion people, through political dialogue about shared values and through practical work that aims to make a lasting difference; Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, final reports are binding

Council of Europe

Pan-European organization, 46 members, independent, advocates freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

38 members, one of the requirements to be a member is GDP per capita, 250 Committees, most important is Financial Task Force Group (fight against money laundering), give recommendations and advice to governments; promote policies that will improve the economic and social wellbeing of people around the world

NATO

North Atlantic Council is most important organ, take military action, protection of North Atlantic region; Strategy Lisbon Concept - future military missions of NATO can be applied worldwide to fight terrorism and extremism

Organization of American States (OAS)

35 members of the Americas, Achieve an order of peace and justice, promote their solidarity, strengthen their collaboration, defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence

Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR)

4 members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay; free movement of goods and services, agreements guiding currency exchange, investment, tax issues, educational exchanges, main goal is economic not political

Andean Community of Nations (ACN)

4 members: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru; Facilitate integration, joint foreign policy, harmonize customs policy, free-trade zone

Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

33 member states, Deepen Latin American integration

African Union (AU)

55 member states, rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, African Central Bank - goal is to create a single African currency

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Accelerate the economic growth, social process, and cultural development in the region; promote regional peace and stability; promote active collaboration and mutual assistance; provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities; collaborate more effectively; promote Southeast Asian studies

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

21 members, Regional free trade area of Asia, economic goal

European Parliament

Directly elected EU body with legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibility; law making body

European Council

Defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU, does not pass laws

Council of the European Union

Voice of the EU member governments, adopting EU laws, coordinating EU policies; main decision making body with the European Parliament

European Commission

Promotes the general interest of the EU by proposing and enforcing legislation, implementing policies and the EU budget

Court of Justice of the European Union

Ensuring EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country, ensuring countries and EU institutions abide by EU law

European Central Bank

Manage the Euro, keep prices stable, conduct EU economic and monetary policy

European Court of Auditors

Check EU funds are collected and used correctly, help improve EU financial management

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

Advisory body representing employers and workers organization and other interest groups

European Committee of the Regions

Advisory body representing Europe’s regional and local authorities

European Investment Bank (EIB)

Provides funding for projects that help to achieve EU aims, both within and outside the EU

European Ombudsman

Investigates complaints against EU institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies

General Assembly

main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ

Security Council

maintenance of international peace and security; Determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression, settles disputes by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement, Can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security

Economic and Social Council

principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue; recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues; implementation of internationally agreed development goals

Trusteeship Council

provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence

International Court of Justice

settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies

Secretariat

Security general is chief administrative officer, UN staff members work in duty stations and on peacekeeping missions all around the world

Main Functions of International Organizations

Conflict resolution, international economic regulation, human rights protection, Creation and application of international law, Protection of the environment and fight against climate change, Fight against Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism