The United Nation

The United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is a global organization that was established in 1945. There are currently 193 countries that make up the EU. Some of the key points about United Nations are:

1. The collapse of the Soviet Union put up new challenges for the world like the rise of US power. This brought to the picture the role of international organisations in such a scenario.
2. The United Nations Security Council’s prospective reform is an interesting example of the reform process and its obstacles.

1. The United Nations is often considered the most significant international organisation in today’s world. The United Nations is considered indispensable in the eyes of many people all over the world and it represents one of the best hopes of humanity for peace and progress.
2. It has been rightly observed by Dag Hammarskjold  ‘The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell.’
3. International organisations provide assistance in both war and peace situations. They also assist countries in cooperating to improve our collective living standards.

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Formation and Evolution of the UN:

1. After the First World War, the League of Nations was created, as an organisation that could prevent another such war. Despite its initial success, however, it could not prevent World War II (1939-45).
2. United Nations was founded in 1945 immediately after Second World War, by 51 states who signed the United Nation charter; it was a successor to the League of Nations.
3. The United Nations’ objective is to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states.
4. Furthermore, the United Nations was intended to bring countries together to improve the prospects of social and economic development all over the world.
5. By 2011, the United Nations had 193 member states. These included almost all independent states.
6. Each member of the United Nations General Assembly has one vote.
7. There are 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. These are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China (as they constituted the victors and the most powerful nations after the Second World War).
8. The United Nations’ most visible public figure, and the representative head, is the Secretary-General.
9. The present Secretary-General is António Guterres. He is the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
10. The United Nations consists of many different structures and agencies.
11. The General Assembly and the Security Council debate war and peace, as well as conflicts between member states.
12. Many organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), deal with social and economic issues.

Components of United Nations

1. General Assembly

The General Assembly is the United Nations’ main deliberative, policymaking, and representative body.

The General Assembly is the only UN body with universal representation, with all 193 UN Member States represented.

Every year in September, the entire United Nations membership gathers in New York’s General Assembly Hall for the annual General Assembly session and general debate, to which many heads of state attend and speak.

A two-thirds majority of the General Assembly is required to make decisions on important issues such as peace and security, admission of new members, and budgetary matters.

  2.Council of the United Nations

Under the UN Charter, it has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

The Security Council has fifteen members, with five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly on a regional basis.

  3.The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 

It is the main body responsible for policy coordination, review, dialogue, and recommendations on economic, social, and environmental issues, as well as the implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

It has 54 members who are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms that overlap.

It is the United Nations’ central platform for sustainable development reflection, debate, and innovative thinking.

  4.Trusteeship Council

The UN Charter established the Trusteeship Council in 1945 to administer the 11 Trust Territories established after WWII.

• It was either a former colony or a dependent territory
• Many territories have become independent and self-governing since the Council was established
• Palau was the last Trust Territory to gain independence in 1994

As a result, the Trusteeship Council ceased operations in 1994 and decided to meet only as needed.

  5.The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the UN’s supreme judicial body.

• The Hague, the Netherlands, is the seat of the International Court of Justice (It is the only UN main organ that is not based in New York)
• The ICJ is automatically a party to all 193 UN members

The functions of the International Court of Justice are as follows:

• To resolve legal disputes brought before it by states in accordance with international law
• To provide legal advice on matters referred to it by duly authorized international bodies and agencies

6.Secretariat

The Secretary-General is the United Nations’ chief administrative officer.

Staff at the Secretariat are hired both internationally and locally, depending on the position.

They work at various locations around the world.

Peacekeeping operations, economic and social trends surveys, international dispute mediation, international conferences, and laying the groundwork for international agreements are all part of their responsibilities.

Also read 

• UPSC question paper 2022
• UPSC question paper 2020

Conclusion

The United Nations is an important organization that helps maintain global affairs. It has 6 chief organs which strive to maintain world peace and security. For the UPSC exam, particularly the International Relations section, it is essential to read about the UN’s functioning and organisation.