UN Structure and History

Following World War I, the League of Nations was formed to prevent future wars.
The League of Nations was ineffective because the United States did not join.
World War II led to the creation of the United Nations.
The United Nations was established on October 24, 1945, after the UN Charter was ratified by the five main allies (United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, and China) and a majority of other signatories.
The General Assembly first met on January 10, 1946, and the Security Council met a week later.
The first UN resolution established a commission to deal with the problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy, composed of members of the Security Council and Canada.

The UN has six principal organs:

All principal organs are located at the UN headquarters in New York, except for the ICJ, which is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

The General Assembly is the largest body of the UN, with representation from each member state.
It is the primary deliberative body and a forum for high-profile diplomacy.
Deals with questions of international peace, admission of member states, and the UN budget, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.
Less important votes pass by a simple majority.
Led by a president elected for a one-year term.
The presidency offers a chance for ambassadors from smaller states to lead, like Mexico, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Saint Lucia.

Tasked with maintaining international peace and security.
Membership is limited to 15 states, with 10 seats rotating and 5 permanent seats.
The five permanent seats are awarded to the five main allies: the United States, United Kingdom, France, the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China.
The 10 rotating members are elected for two-year terms. India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway will rotate out later this year, while Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates will rotate next year.
The Soviet Union's permanent seat passed to the Russian Federation after the Soviet Union fell.
The People's Republic of China's seat was initially held by the Republic of China (Taiwan), but the Republic of China was expelled on October 25, 1971, and Taiwan has lost observer status.
Security Council resolutions are binding on all member states.
Resolutions can mandate peaceful resolutions, impose sanctions, involve participation in peacekeeping forces, and authorize the use of force.
Each of the five permanent members has a veto power over any proposal before the Council.

Deals with matters of economy, social welfare, environment, and international development.
Has 54 members elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms, with 18 seats up each year.
Has 30 subsidiary bodies, including regional commissions and bodies concerning criminal justice, women's rights, geographical names, and economic, social, and cultural rights.

Also known as "The Hague."
The UN's main judicial body, ruling on matters of international law and issuing advisory opinions.
Composed of 15 judges nominated by the Permanent Council of Arbitration and elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Judges must be from different states and cannot hold political, administrative, or professional office during their nine-year terms.
The court may form chambers of three judges to deal with particular categories of cases.
The Court cannot compel a state to appear before it; it relies on the state's consent, achieved through a special agreement, treaty provisions, or declarations of consent under the ICJ statute.

The "boots-on-the-ground" organ of the UN.
Led by the Secretary-General, who is nominated by the Security Council and elected by the General Assembly for a renewable five-year term.
Assisted by thousands of UN staff members carrying out UN missions worldwide.
Oversees UN personnel in the field on development or relief missions.

Established in 1945 to supervise 11 UN trust territories under the supervision of seven member states.
The purpose was to guide territories toward self-government or independence.
Suspended operations in 1994 when all trust territories had attained self-government or independence.
Remains inactive but continues to elect a president and vice president.
Composed of the five permanent members of the Security Council when active.
There have been calls to redefine the scope of the Council's duties to include environmental stewardship.