United Nations & its Organizations- Key Insights

This Article provides an insight into United
Nations & its Organisations

• UN was founded in 1945 after World War II
• A Charter was signed by 51 countries in San Francisco on June 26, 1945
• It came into existence on October 24,1945
• By the treaty of Versailles in 1919, its predecessor the league of nations was created and was disbanded in 1946.
• Its mission is to maintain International peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

• Head Quarters- New York
• Official Language- Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian
• Secretary General- Antonio Guterres
• Members – 193 (latest Member South Sudan)

Main Organs of the UN

1. UN-General Assembly

• Main Deliberative organ
• Composed of all member states each of which has one vote
• Mandate- to discuss, debate, and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international peace and security, including development, disarmament, humans rights, international law, and peaceful arbitration of disputes between nations.
• Sessions- the Assembly meets in Regular session (annually from Sep to Dec), Special session and Emergency Special Session (within 24 hours) at the request of UN security council.

• Appointments by UNGA- appoints Secretary General of UN based on the recommendations given by Security Council
• General Assembly elects Non-Permanent members in Security council and elects Members for social and Economic Council.
• Along with Security Council, GA elects Judges to International Court of Justice

2. UN Security Council

The council has 15 members, 5 permanent- US, UK, Russia, France, China and 10 members elected by the general assembly for 2 years. Current non-permanent members (with end of term) are
• Cote d’Ivoire (2019)
• Equatorial Guinea (2019)
• Kuwait (2019)
• Peru (2019)
• Poland (2019)
• Belgium (2020)
• Domini3. \an republic
• Germany
• Indonesia

• South Africa

• Headquarters- New York, US

•Founded- 24 th oct 1945
• While other organisations of UN can only make recommendations to members, the security council has the power to make binding decisions on them.
• All members have 1 vote and permanent members have VETO power.
• The main criteria for eligibility is contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security.
• VETO power of P5 countries have been used most frequently by Russia blocking more than 100 resolutions since the council’s founding.
• Most recently in 2018, the US vetoed a resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths during border protests in Gaza.
• The presidency of SC rotates alphabetically each month.
• There is group of countries who are opposing the expansion of permanent seats in the UNSC under the leadership of Italy- uniting for consensus
(coffee club).
• Members- Italy, Spain, Malta, San Marino, Pakistan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia and Turkey.

• 4 countries (G-4 nations) bids for permanent seats in UNSC- Brazil, Germany, India and Japan.
• UNSC has recently has adopted a resolution 2427 aimed at framework for mainstreaming protection rights wellbeing and empowerment of children.
• This resolution won unanimous support from all the members.
• It condemns attacks on schools and hospitals and the recruitment and use children by parties to armed conflicts.
• It demands for immediate end to such practices and enforcements of special measures to protect children.

3. UN Economic & Social Council

• Principle organ that guide sustainable development policies and co-ordinate the activities of several UN units and organisations working on
development of social and economic issues.
• Founded in 1945
• Headquarter- New York.
• It has 54 members which are elected by general assembly for a term of 3 years.
• Seats in this council have been allotted on the basis of geographical representation.
• Each member has 1 vote and generally voting is by simple majority.
• President (Inga Rhonda King) is elected for a term of 1 year.
• In 2017 UNGA re-elected India for another 3- year term in ECOSOC.

4. UN secretariat

• It undertakes the day to day work of UN, administering the programmes and policies of the organisation.
• Headed by secretary general, assisted by a staff of International civil servants worldwide.

5. UN International Court of Justice

• Principle judicial organ of UN.
• Also called world court.
• Seated at PEACE PALACE, Hague Netherland
• This is the only principle organ not to be located in New York.
• Settles disputes between states and give advisory opinion to the UN.
• Hears cases relates to war crimes, illegal state interference and other issues.
• Presided by 15 judges elected for 9-year terms by UNGA and UNSC.
• No 2 judges can be the national of same country.
• Judges may deliver a joint judgement or give their own separate opinions.

• The court settles legal disputes between nations only and not between individuals, organisations and pvt. enterprises.

An Indian justice Dalbir Bhandari was re-elected as the judge to the ICJ.
• India (18 may 2017) won the plea against Pakistan to grant counsellor access to Indian national Kul Bhushan Jadav and the ICJ has directed
Pakistan to stop carrying out the execution of Jadav.
• On 17 th July 2019 the court rejected India’s appeal for Jadav’s release and ordered Pakistan to suspend execution until the effective review of the
conviction.

6. Trusteeship council

It was formed to provide International Supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of Member States and to Prepare the territories for self-government and Independence.

11 trust territories– Western Samoa(NZ Land), Tanganyika(UK), Rwanda- Urundi(Belgium), Cameroons under British Administration, Cameroons under French Administration, Togoland Under British Administration, Togoland Under French Administration, New Guinea(Australia), Nauru( Australia, UK, NZ land) , Strategic Trust Territory/Trust territory of Pacific Island(US), Italian Somaliland.

By 1994 all the trust territories had attained self- government, so UN suspended its operation in May 1994and then onwards it Continues to exist on Paper only. Its future role and existence remain uncertain.

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