The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that is committed to preserving peace through international co-operation and collective security. The UN was established in 1945 by the UN Charter. This document sets out the organization’s key purposes: to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relationships between nations, to co-operate in solving international problems and promoting human rights, and to be at the centre of harmonizing the actions of nations. The UN Charter was originally signed by 51 states; the UN now has a membership of 191 states.
The work of the UN is organized in six organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Committee, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. The General Assembly is described as the parliament of nations. It is a forum that includes all members of the UN, and meets each year, from September until December, in New York, USA. Its decisions are taken by a two-thirds’ majority on peace and security issues and regarding new members, and by a simple majority on other matters, such as globalization, HIV/AIDS, the consolidation of democracy and conflict in Africa. The Assembly’s decisions are not enforceable, but they do have standing as an indicator of world opinion.
The UN Security Council is responsible for maintaining peace and security, and convenes whenever it is deemed necessary. The membership of the Security Council comprises 15 states. Five of these—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the USA—are permanent members and have the power of veto. Ten additional members are elected every two years by the General Assembly and have no power of veto. Decisions in the Security Council require nine votes, and can be vetoed if the permanent members do not vote together. The decisions of the Security Council can be imposed through sanctions, arms embargoes or ‘all necessary measures’, though solutions to threats to peace are first sought through mediation and by securing cease-fires. Reform of the Security Council is on the agenda of the General Assembly. Brazil, Germany, India and Japan launched a joint campaign in 2004 to become additional permanent members.
The Economic and Social Council co-ordinates the economic and social work of the UN and the UN system of organizations, which includes the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and UN agencies such as the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The 54 members of the Economic and Social Council are elected by the General Assembly for a term of three years. The Trusteeship Council had the role of providing supervision for 11 Trust Territories during their preparations for self-government and independence. This task was completed in 1994 and the Trusteeship Council now meets on an ad hoc basis. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), located in The Hague, Netherlands, decides on disputes between countries. Participation in trials is on a voluntary basis, but countries that participate are obliged to comply with decisions. The ICJ comprises 15 judges who are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council. The administration of the UN organs is carried out by the Secretariat.
The UN is widely respected as an international organization, but is considered to lack power. It experienced a revival as a peace-making body in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and it was hoped that the Security Council would become the key forum for persuading nations to work together. However, in a number of instances it has failed to secure peace (e.g. Somalia, Bosnia and Rwanda), and the US-led war in Iraq in 2003 proceeded without the approval of the Security Council.
Sec.-Gen.: Kofi Annan
Address: UN Headquarters, First Avenue at 46th Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
