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United Nations Organs – Important International Organisations

The United Nations is an international organisation that was established after the Second World War. It was modelled on the lines of the League of Nations that had previously existed, though it was ineffective in preventing World War II. The UN was formed to develop and maintain friendly relations between nations in the interest of maintaining global security and peace. Another intention was to reduce and prevent future wars to the extent possible. The UN currently has 193 members. It has six organs to help in carrying out its activities. These include the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the Security Council, the UN Secretariat, and the Trusteeship Council. 

UN General Assembly

The U.N. General Assembly seems to be the organisation’s sole global committee. The Security Council, the Executive council, the Secretary, and the International Court of Justice are the other key entities. Since its foundation, the U.N. General Assembly has been a platform for ambitious pronouncements, occasionally bold language, and rigorous discussion on the world’s most difficult challenges, ranging from hunger and growth to security and stability. As the United Nations’ most representative institution, the assembly has a general debate at the foundation’s Headquarters In New York City between September to December. It organises special meetings at other periods to discuss a variety of subjects.

UN Secretariat

The UN Secretariat is responsible for carrying out the United Nations’ day-to-day operations as directed by the General Meeting and the Group’s other principal institutions. The Secretary-General is in charge of the UN Secretariat, which employs thousands of residents at work locations worldwide. UN personnel are hired from all around the world and operate in work locations and peacekeeping operations. In a violent world, defending the sake of peace is a difficult job. Hundreds of heroic men and women have sacrificed their lives in the service of the UN System since its establishment. The Secretariat is divided into departments, with each division or department having its own set of responsibilities and actions. The United Nations Secretariat is based in New York, USA. The UN operates three primary offices and five Local Financial Commissions outside its headquarters.

The United Nations Secretariat administers and coordinates the organisation’s activities. The Secretary-General of the United Nations leads it. The United Nations Secretariat has far more control over the UN’s functioning than the UN Charter allows. The Secretariat’s personnel comprise permanent technical employees rather than political appointments from member countries, accounting for a substantial part of this impact.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice commonly referred to as the World Court, is the United Nations’ principal judicial body. The Court must resolve legal battles brought to it by States in line with international law and provide independent advice on legal problems addressed to it by authorised United Nations institutions and specialised agencies. The Court resolves international disputes depending on the voluntary involvement of the parties involved. When a state decides to join in a process, it must follow the Court’s ruling.

The International Court of Justice consists of 15 justices who the UN chooses. General Assembly and Standing Committee for nine-year mandates. There may not be over one member of the same country in the Court. Furthermore, the Court must reflect the world’s most important civilisations and legal systems. A candidate must earn overwhelming support in both houses to be elected. This necessitates the conduct of many election cycles in some cases. Every three years, one-third of the Board is chosen to maintain a sense of continuity.

Conclusion

The principal duty of the court is to render decisions in disputes between sovereign nations. Only states can be parties to lawsuits before the World Court, and no country can be challenged before the court unless it agrees. The staff is chosen on merit, with an eye toward an equal geographic range. Its employees must swear allegiance to the United Nations and therefore are not allowed to receive orders from their home countries. In effect, the Secretariat’s staff is a worldwide civil service. Translations, accountants, technologists, executives, strategic planners, and mediators are among them. By the suggestion of the Council, the General Assembly elects the secretary-general for a five-year tenure. To be appointed to the job, he must get the consent of all five members of the UN Security Council; as a result, secretaries-general have typically come from neutral countries.

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What is the U.N. General Assembly?

Answer. The General Assembly of the United Nations is the organisation’s principal policymaking body. It serve...Read full

How many nations are represented in the UN General Assembly?

Answer. The United Nations’ membership has increased from 51 countries in 1945 to 193 countries. The General A...Read full

What is the Secretariat's role in the United Nations?

Answer. The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the United Nations’ substantive and administrative dut...Read full

What is the International Court of Justice's role?

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What is the UN Secretariat's top position?

Answer. The Secretary-General is the Group’s “principal administrative officer,” according to the ...Read full