What does the UN mean?
The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 191 countries.
When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations.
According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes:
1) to maintain international peace and security;
2) to develop friendly relations among nations;
3) to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights;
4) to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
The United Nations is not a world government and it does not make laws. It does, however, provide the means to help resolve international conflicts and formulate policies on matters affecting all of us.
At the UN, all the Member States — large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems — have a voice and a vote in this process.
The principal organs of the United Nations are:
Economic and Social Council The Economic and Social Council coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions; receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system and to Member States. Under the UN Charter, ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Concil on Human Rights
Created in 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Council (former United Nations Commission on Human Rights) is mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization, by all people, of all rights established in the Charter of the United Nations and in international human rights laws and treaties. The mandate includes preventing human rights violations, securing respect for all human rights and promoting international cooperation to protect human rights. Composed of 47 States (that shall serve for a period of three years and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms) and meeting annually in Geneva, the Council is a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly. Over 3,000 delegates from member and observer States and from non-governmental organizations participate.
Functional Commissions:
- Commission for Social Development
- Commission on Narcotic Drugs
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
- Commission on Science and Technology for Development
- Commission on Sustainable Development
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Commission on Population and Development
- Statistical Commission
Regional Commissions:
- Economic Commission for Africa
- Economic Commission for Europe
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
- Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
- United Nations Forum on Forests
- Sessional and Standing Committees Expert ad hoc and related bodies
Programs and Funds:
- UNCTAD, UN Conference on Trade and Development
- UNDP. UN Development Program
- UNHCR, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
- UNICEF, UN Children’s Fund
- WFP, World Food Program
- UNIFEM, UN Development Fund for Women
- UNV, UN Volunteers
- UNFPA, UN Population Fund
- UNDCP, UN Drug Control Program
- UNEP, UN Environment Program
- UNHSP, UN Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat)
- UNRWA, Un Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
- ITC, International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/WTO)
Other UN Entities:
- OHCHR, Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights
- UNOPS, UN Office for Project Services
- UNU, UN University
- UNSSC, UN System Staff College
- UNAIDS, Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS
- Specialized Agencies
- ILO, International Labour Organisation
- FAO, Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN
- UNESCO, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- WHO, World Health Organization
- World Bank Group
- IMF, International Monetary Fund
General Assembly The General Assembly, set up in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, is the United Nations' main deliberative organ and provides a forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. The Assembly comprises all Members of the United Nations and meets in regular session each year from September to December, and thereafter as required.
International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). It began work in 1946, when it replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice which had functioned in the Peace Palace since 1922. It operates under a Statute largely similar to that of its predecessor, which is an integral part of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Court has a dual role: to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes submitted to it by States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies.
Secretariat
The Secretariat -- an international staff working in duty stations around the world -- carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the UN. It services the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programmes and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five- year, renewable term.
Security Council The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is so organized as to be able to function continuously, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at United Nations Headquarters.
Military Staff Committee
Standing Committee and ad hoc bodies
International Tribunal Criminal for the Former Yugoslavia
International Tribunal Criminal for Rwanda
UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (Iraq)
United Nations Compensation Commission
Peacekeeping Operations and Missions
Trusteeship Council The Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory, on 1 October 1994.
The aims of the Trusteeship System have been fulfilled to such an extent that all Trust Territories have attained self-government or independence, either as separate States or by joining neighbouring independent countries.
