Introduction
The United Nations (UN) is an international nonprofit organization established in 1945 to foster political and economic cooperation among its member countries.
Key Takeaways
- The UN: Founded in 1945 to promote international cooperation across political, social, cultural, and economic domains.
- Evolution: Originated from the League of Nations following World War II, with widespread global membership today.
- Governance: Comprises five principal organs including the Economic and Social Council, which coordinates 15 specialized agencies.
Purpose of the United Nations
Created in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations aimed to ease international tensions, uphold human rights, and mitigate the risk of large-scale armed conflict. As a successor to the ineffective League of Nations, the UN has achieved global representation, although a few politically contentious regions remain non-members. The founding members hoped for a more cohesive and influential platform to maintain global peace and cooperation.
Structure of the UN
The United Nations consists of five main bodies, each with distinct roles and responsibilities:
UN General Assembly
The General Assembly is the primary deliberative body of the UN, where all member states have equal representation. Located in New York City, it is responsible for setting the UN’s budget, appointing non-permanent members to the Security Council, and issuing non-binding resolutions reflecting global sentiment.
UN Secretariat
The Secretariat operates as the executive arm of the UN, tasked with implementing policies. Led by the Secretary-General, it includes various departments, such as the Peacekeeping Operations Department, which deploys UN soldiers—known as “blue helmets.”
International Court of Justice
Based in The Hague, the International Court of Justice resolves legal disputes between nations and provides advisory opinions on legal matters referred by UN agencies. Comprising 15 judges, it considers French and English as its official languages.
UN Security Council
The Security Council maintains international security and sanctions peacekeeping missions. It also manages new member appointments and charter amendments, holding permanent seats for the US, Russia, France, the UK, and China—each with veto power. The council’s additional 10 seats rotate biennially.
UN Economic and Social Council
Focused on economic, social, and environmental issues, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) coordinates the activities of 15 specialized agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Which Countries Are Not Members of the United Nations?
With 193 member states, the UN also has two observer entities: the Holy See and Palestine. While fully engaging in discussions, observer states lack voting rights. Some states, like Kosovo and Taiwan, face obstacles to membership due to complex international relations.
Who Founded the United Nations?
The UN was envisioned in April 1945 by representatives from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter. Officially established on October 24, 1945, the charter was initially ratified by leading nations—China, France, the Soviet Union, the UK, the US, and others.
Who Is the Secretary-General of the UN?
António Guterres, from Portugal, is the ninth Secretary-General of the UN, having commenced his first term on January 1, 2017, and inaugurated his second term in January 2022.
What Are the Agencies Inside the United Nations?
The UN comprises several specialized agencies that operate independently on specific tasks but align under the UN banner. These agencies include:
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Leading global efforts to combat hunger.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Serving as the premier body for international health matters.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF): Facilitating economic growth and stability worldwide.
- International Labor Organization (ILO): Setting global labor standards.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Protecting global cultural and historic sites.
- World Bank: Working to alleviate poverty and elevate living standards globally.
Related Terms: League of Nations, Political Cooperation, UN Agencies, Economic Stability.
References
- United Nations Office at Geneva. “League of Nations”.
- United Nations. “History of the United Nations”.
- Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. “Members”.
- Foreign Policy Analysis . Edward Newman and Gëzim Visoka. “The Foreign Policy of State Recognition: Kosovo’s Diplomatic Strategy to Join International Society”.
- The Brookings Institution. “Taiwan’s UN Dilemma: To Be or Not to Be”.
- United Nations. “About UN Membership”.
- United Nations. “Main Bodies”.
- General Assembly of the United Nations. “Workings of the General Assembly”.
- United Nations. “Secretariat”.
- International Court of Justice. “Frequently Asked Questions”.
- United Nations Security Council. “Functions and Powers”.
- United Nations Security Council. “Current Members”.
- United Nations. “The United Nations System”.
- World Atlas. “Which Countries Are Not Members Of The United Nations?”
- United Nations. “Antonio Guterres Secures Second Term as UN Secretary-General, Calls for New Era of ‘Solidarity and Equality”.’
- United Nations. “UN System”.
