United Nations Organisations

Explore the structure and functions of the United Nations Organisations (UNO) in this comprehensive article. Learn about the six main organs of the UN, including the General Assembly, Security Council, and International Court of Justice. Understand the roles of key figures like the Secretary-General and discover the UN's specialized agencies, such as WHO and UNESCO. Find out how the UN addresses global conflicts, supports human rights, and collaborates with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This article provides an in-depth overview of how the UN promotes international peace, security, and development across the world. 

United Nations  Organisations

United Nations  Organisations

Introduction:

Since human civilization’s commencement, war and battle seem to be common historical phenomena.  But the First World War (1914-1918) between the Central  Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Turkey) and the Allies (Britain, France, and Russia) resulted in the loss of about ten million lives of combatants and the loss of about one crore lives combatants and the wounding of two crore human beings,  the world realized the need to establish machinery which could maintain world peace and avoid international conflicts in the future. It resulted in the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920, which lasted only about two decades. The Second World War broke out in 1939 causing immense human misery and that was more terrible than the First World War, this war lasted six years. To maintain international peace and security the United Nations Organisation was established(October 24, 1945). The United Nations (UN) is an association of states that have pledged and cooperated in solving international political, economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems towards achieving this end. President Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the name United Nations.   At the Dumbarton Oaks Conferences in Washington, D.C., in 1944 the first blueprints were formulated for organizing the UNO.  The leaders of the three powers- Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union met again (February 1945) at Yalta (Ukraine) and established a voting procedure for the UNO. United Nations organization was formed on the ashes of its predecessor, the League of Nations, which was created aftermath of World War I (1914- 1918). In 1945,  representatives  from 50 nations met in San Francisco (USA)) to frame the basic Charter for a world organization that would save succeeding generations from the misery of war and the Charter was signed on June 26,1945 by these nations. Poland which did not attend the Conference, signed the Charter later to become one of the original 51 member-states. The United Nations (UNO) officially came into being on October 24, 1945.

There are 111 Articles in the UNO charter.  The specific purposes of the UNO, as outlined in the charter, are to:

(1)   Maintain international peace and security,

(2)  Develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people,

(3)    Cooperate in finding a solution for international political, social, economic, cultural, and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all; and     

(4) Serve as a center for coordinating the actions of nations to attain these common goals.

UNO Head Office: The United Nations headquarters are located in New York (USA).   

UNO Flag: UN emblem in white centered on a light blue background. It consists of the global map projected from the North Pole and embraced in two olive branches (the symbols of peace).  The General Assembly adopted it on October 20,1947.

UNO Languages: There are six official working languages recognized by the United Nations. These are (1) Chinese, ((2) English, (3)French, (4) Russian and (5) Spanish, which have been in use since the world body was organized. A sixth language, i.e. Arabic was added to the General Assembly in 1973, the Security Council in 1982, and the Economic and Social Council in 1983.            

Six Organs of UNO

1. General Assembly: The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the United Nations and consists of all members of the UNO. It is the biggest organ of UNO. While each member nation can send five representatives and six alternatives to the Assembly, it has only one vote. The Assembly meets regularly once a year on the first Tuesday following first of September and also holds special or emergency sessions, whenever necessary. Since the size of the General Assembly is bigger, therefore sub-committees were formed to perform different activities.

2. Security Council: It has the basic responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is also responsible for carrying out the functions of the UN in trust territories classed as ‘strategic areas’. Although originally made up of 11 (5-permanent, 6-temporary)  members, the strength of the council has been raised, by an amendment  (23rd Article, 1963) to the Charter, to 15 members,
five of which - the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia- are permanent members, the rest ten members are temporary. Each of the five permanent members has the right to exercise veto power.  Its ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority for a two-year term. 

3. Economic and Social Council: The Economic and Social Council ((ECOSOC), reporting to the General Assembly works on economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems.  It is made up of representatives of 54 member states elected for 5 years term by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. At the time of the inception of the UNO, it had 18 members only. But in 1965 its members increased to 27 and later on raised to 54 members in 1973. This council was formed under Article 55 of the UN charter.   

4. Trustsheep Council: It is cited in Article 76 of the UN charter. Trusteeship Council prepares people for self-government or independence. Membership consists of permanent members of the Security Council plus those nations which administer trust territories, and the needed additional members to maintain an equal balance between administering and non-administering nations. The latter nations are elected by the General Assembly for three years.

5.  International Court of Justice: The International Court of Justice, established by the UN charter, settles international legal problems. It is also called the World Court. All members of the United Nations come under the rules of this court although they are not required to bring cases before it. All member states of the UNO are members of IJC. The court is made up of 15 judges chosen without regard to nationality, who are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council.

6. Secretariat:  It is the heart of the UNO. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General. He is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council, for a term of five years and is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations Organisation. It falls under Article 97 of the UN charter. 

Other Agencies of the United Nations

Apart from the six main organs of UNO, the other agencies working in collaboration with the United Nations in various economic, social, scientific and technical fields is a group of inter-governmental organizations related to the United Nations by special agreements. Among these agencies are :

1. International Labour Organisation

(ILO): It is an autonomous institution established in 1919 and was associated with the League of Nations. In 1946, ILO became the first specialized agency of the United Nations. It aims to promote social justice, improve conditions and living standards and promote economic justice. Its headquarters are in Geneva ( Switzerland).

2. World Health Organisation (WHO):

Founded on April 7,1948. It aims to promote the health of all people and works to eliminate diseases. It is responsible for international public health. Its headquarters are in Geneva ( Switzerland).

3. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

It works to root out poverty and reduce inequalities through the sustainable development of the nations. Its parent organization is ECOSOC. It is formed on 22 November 1965. Its headquarters are in New York City (USA). 

4. United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC):

It is a  permanent organization founded on 16 February 1946 to secure the rights of the people of the world. At its inception, it had 18 members. In 1962 members were increased to 21 and again in 1993, this number was increased to 53. Members were elected for a 3 years term.  Its headquarters are in Geneva (Switzerland).  

5. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF):

It is founded on 11 December, 19946. It is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Its headquarters are in New York (USA).  

6. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):

 It was founded on November 4, 1946, The purpose of  UNESCO is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education science, communication and culture to further justice, rule of law, and human rights and freedoms without discrimination based on race, caste, creed, language. Its Headquarters are in Paris (France). 

7. International Monetary Fund (IMF):

It is founded in July 1944. It is working to foster global monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, secure financial stability,  promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C (USA).

8. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO): It is founded on October 16,1945, at a meeting held in Canada, it aims to raise nutrition levels and living standards, secure improvements in the production and distribution of food and agricultural products, improve the living conditions of the rural population, and eliminate hunger. Its Headquarters are in Rome (Italy). 

9. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

 Established on July 29,1957. The Agency functions under the aegis of the UNO. It aims to promote the peaceful uses of atomic energy and to ensure that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purposes. Its headquarters Vienna (Austria).

10. World Bank:

 It is a group of four institutions. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) was established in 1945, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) was established in 1956, the International Development Association (IDA), was established in 1960, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was established in 1988. Its headquarters are in headquarters Washington D.C. (USA).

11. World Meteorological Organisation (WMO):

It was recognized as a specialized Agency of the UN in 1951. It originated from the International Meteorological Organisation. WMO encourages the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, agriculture, and other humanistic activities for economic development. Its headquarters are in Geneva (Switzerland).   

12. International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

Founded on March 17, 1958. It is responsible for regulating shipping. Its objectives are to provide a machinery for cooperation and exchange of information among governments on technical matters affecting shipping to ensure the achievement of the highest practicable standards of maritime safety and efficient navigation. Its headquarters are in London (UK).

13. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):

This organization was established on 4 April 1947.  The ICAO is an independent, autonomous, international organization, coordinating its work and associated with the UNO through a special agreement. ICAO international standards for safety, efficiency, and regularity of air traffic and promotes the planning and development of air transport. Its headquarters are in Montreal (Canada).

14. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):

It is established on 15 December 1972. It is responsible for coordinating the UN’s environmental activities.  The  UNEP works with many partners, including United Nations international organizations, national governments, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society groups. Its headquarters are in Nairobi (Kenya).

15. Universal Postal Union (UPU):

It was established in 1847 and became a specialized UN organization in 1948.  It mainly works to promote international cooperation in the field of postal services, enhance the quality of postal services, and provide technical assistance to member states of the Organisation. UPU is also involved in setting standards for postal shipments. It operates a worldwide postal system. It is composed of 41 representatives of member states.  UPU’s headquarters are located in Bern (Switzerland).

16. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (HABITAT):

It is established in 1978. It is a UN agency dealing with urbanization and human settlements, including the promotion of sustainable urban development. It emphasizes adequate shelter with better living standards for all. Its headquarters are in Nairobi (Kenya). 

17.  World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO):

It was founded on 14 July 1967 and became the United Nations’ specialized organization in 1974. WIPO’s statutory objective is to promote the creation, dissemination, use, and protection of works of the human mind that benefit economic, cultural, and social development. It also fosters cooperation between two unions set up to protect intellectual property; the Paris Union (dealing with industrial property rights) and the Berne Union (responsible for literary and artistic work). Its headquarters are in Geneva (Switzerland).

18. The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN):

It was established in 1954. It is one of the world’s leading laboratories for practical physics. The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)  under the Convention for the establishment of a European Organization for Nuclear Research was signed in Paris on 1 July 1953. It is not part of the United Nations system but closely works with the UN.  Its headquarters are in (Geneva Switzerland). o o o.

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United Nations  Organisations-FAQs

1. What is the United Nations (UN) and what is its primary purpose?

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries. Its primary purpose is to prevent conflicts, address global issues such as poverty and climate change, and facilitate international cooperation to solve these challenges. The UN aims to foster friendly relations among nations and support the achievement of human rights and development goals globally.

2. How many member states are part of the United Nations?

As of now, the United Nations has 193 member states. Each member state is recognized as a sovereign entity and has equal representation in the UN General Assembly, where they can participate in discussions, decision-making, and resolutions on various global issues.

3. What are the main organs of the United Nations and their functions?

The United Nations has six main organs:

The General Assembly: It is the main deliberative body where all member states meet to discuss and make decisions on international issues and policies.

The Security Council: Responsible for maintaining international peace and security, it can impose sanctions or authorize the use of force to address threats to peace.

The International Court of Justice: This is the principal judicial organ of the UN, which settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions.

The Secretariat: Headed by the Secretary-General, it administers the day-to-day work of the UN and implements its policies and decisions.

The Trusteeship Council: It was established to oversee the administration of trust territories and ensure their transition to self-government, but it has ceased operations since the last trust territory became independent.

The Economic and Social Council: It coordinates economic, social, and related work, and provides policy recommendations and support for sustainable development and human rights.

4. What is the role of the UN Secretary-General?

The UN Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations and serves as the head of the Secretariat. The Secretary-General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the UN, implementing its policies, and representing the organization in diplomatic matters. They also play a crucial role in addressing global issues, mediating conflicts, and advocating for human rights and development.

5. How does the UN Security Council address international conflicts?

The UN Security Council addresses international conflicts by taking measures to maintain or restore international peace and security. It can impose economic sanctions, authorize military intervention, establish peacekeeping missions, and facilitate diplomatic negotiations. The Council's decisions are binding on all UN member states, and its actions are aimed at preventing escalation and resolving conflicts through various means.

6. What are UN peacekeeping missions and what do they do?

UN peacekeeping missions are operations authorized by the Security Council to help maintain peace and stability in conflict-affected areas. These missions often involve deploying troops, police, and civilian personnel to monitor ceasefires, support the implementation of peace agreements, protect civilians, and assist in the rebuilding of institutions. Peacekeepers are neutral and work to create conditions for lasting peace and reconciliation.

7. How does the United Nations support human rights globally?

The United Nations supports human rights globally through various mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, which monitors and addresses human rights violations. The UN promotes human rights by establishing international treaties and conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and by working with member states to implement these standards. The UN also conducts investigations, provides humanitarian aid, and advocates for the protection and promotion of human rights around the world.

8. What are some specialized agencies of the United Nations and their functions?

The UN has several specialized agencies that focus on specific areas of global concern. Some of these include:

The World Health Organization (WHO): Responsible for international public health and coordinating responses to health emergencies.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Promotes education, science, and culture to foster peace and sustainable development.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF): Provides financial stability and economic support to member countries through policy advice and financial assistance.

The World Bank Group: Focuses on providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development projects and poverty reduction.

9. What is the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the United Nations system?

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in the United Nations system by providing expertise, advocacy, and on-the-ground support for various issues. NGOs often collaborate with UN agencies and participate in conferences, policy discussions, and advisory committees. They contribute to the implementation of UN programs, advocate for specific causes, and help in mobilizing resources and raising awareness on global challenges.

10. How can individuals or organizations get involved with the United Nations?

Individuals and organizations can get involved with the United Nations in several ways. They can participate in UN conferences and forums, volunteer for UN programs or peacekeeping missions, and engage with UN-supported initiatives and campaigns. Organizations can become accredited NGOs with the UN to work on specific projects and contribute to its goals. Additionally, individuals can support UN efforts by donating to UN agencies, advocating for UN initiatives, and staying informed about global issues and the UN's work. 0 0 0

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