Study Notes on The United Nations

The United Nations

Origins and Structure

  • The United Nations (UN) is an international organization established in 1945.

  • The headquarters is located in New York City.

  • Comprises 193 Member States.

  • The work and mission of the UN are guided by the principles outlined in its founding charter.

  • The Charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco during the United Nations Conference on International Organization.

  • The Charter came into force on October 24, 1945.

The UN Charter

  • Composition: The UN Charter is comprised of 14 chapters:

    1. The Purpose and Principles

    2. Membership

    3. Organs

      • The Secretary-General

      • The Security Council

      • Pacific Settlement of Disputes

      • Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression

    4. Regional Arrangements

    5. International Economic and Social Cooperation

    6. The Economic and Social Council

    7. Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories

    8. International Trusteeship Council

    9. The Trusteeship Council

    10. The International Court of Justice

    11. The Secretariat

    12. Miscellaneous Provisions

    13. Transitional Security Arrangements

    14. Amendments

Preamble of the UN Charter

  • Key Objectives:

    • Commitment to save future generations from the devastation of war.

    • Reaffirmation of faith in fundamental human rights and dignity of individuals.

    • Promotion of equal rights for all nations, regardless of size.

    • Establishing conditions for justice and treaty obligations to be respected.

    • Promotion of social progress and improved living standards in greater freedom.

  • Ends to be Achieved:

    • Practicing tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

    • Uniting to maintain international peace and security.

    • Ensuring armed force is used only for common interests.

    • Employing international machinery to promote economic and social advancement.

Purposes of the UN (Article 1)

  • The main purposes include:

    • Maintaining international peace and security by taking collective measures to prevent and remove threats and suppress acts of aggression.

    • Developing friendly relations among nations based on equal rights and self-determination.

    • Achieving international cooperation in resolving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian issues, while promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    • Serving as a coordinating center for nations to harmonize their efforts towards common goals.

Principles of the UN (Article 2)

  • The organization and its members must:

    • Act based on the sovereign equality of all members.

    • Fulfill obligations in good faith as per the Charter.

    • Settle international disputes peacefully without endangering peace and security.

    • Avoid threats or use of force against the integrity or independence of states.

Organs of the United Nations

  • General Assembly (UNGA):

    • Main policy-making body made up of all 193 Member States.

    • Responsibilities include:

    • Approving the UN budget.

    • Electing non-permanent members of the Security Council.

    • Serving as a forum for discussing global issues.

  • Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

    • Composed of 54 members elected for three-year terms.

    • Responsibilities include facilitating international economic and social cooperation and development.

  • Trusteeship Council:

    • Composed of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

    • Operations were officially suspended in 1994 after the last trust territory gained independence.

  • International Court of Justice (ICJ):

    • Principal judicial body of the UN composed of 15 judges.

    • Functions:

    • Settling legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions.

    • No appeals allowed on its judgments.

Security Council

  • Composition:

    • 15 members total:

    • 5 permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States.

    • 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

  • Non-Permanent Members (current):

    • Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland (as of the last election).

    • Newly elected non-permanent members (as of January 2025) include Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Albania, Brazil, Gabon.

  • Functions:

    • Responsible for maintaining international peace and security, acting under the UN's authority.

    • Has the power to establish peacekeeping operations, impose sanctions, and authorize military actions.

The Secretariat

  • Role and Structure:

    • Organized by departments, each focusing on different areas of action and responsibility.

    • Provides administrative support to UN bodies and implements their decisions.

    • Conducts research and compiles reports on international issues.

  • Current Secretary-General: António Guterres (since 2017).

History of Secretaries-General

  • António Guterres (2017-Present)

  • Ban Ki-moon (2007-2016)

  • Kofi Annan (1997-2006)

  • Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996)

  • Javier Perez de Cuellar (1982-1991)

  • Kurt Waldheim (1972-1981)

  • U Thant (1961-1971)

  • Dag Hammarskjöld (1953-1961)

  • Trygve Halvdan Lie (1946-1952)

Specialized UN Agencies

  • Key Agencies Include:

    • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

    • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

    • International Labor Organization (ILO)

    • International Maritime Organization (IMO)

    • International Monetary Fund (IMF)

    • International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

    • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

    • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

    • Universal Postal Union (UPU)

    • World Bank Group (WBG) including IBRD, IFC, IDA

    • World Health Organization (WHO)

    • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

    • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

    • World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

    • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

    • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Related Agencies

  • Includes:

    • Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

    • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    • International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    • Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

    • World Trade Organization (WTO)

Amendments to the UN Charter

  • Amendments to Articles 23, 27, and 61 were adopted on December 17, 1963, and came into force on August 31, 1965.

  • Subsequent amendments include:

    • Article 61, increasing the Economic and Social Council’s membership from 18 to 27, then to 54.

    • Article 109 allows for a General Conference of Member States to review the Charter.

    • Changes to voting procedures in the Security Council.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the key principles of the UN as stated in its charter?

  • What are the terms of reference for the Security Council?

  • Discuss the role and importance of Chapters VI, VII, VIII, and XII of the UN Charter.