The United Nations

Purpose & Structure of the Largest IGO in the World

What is the United Nations? §

• IGO of Independent states - called ”member states”
  • Currently contains 193 member states, 2 Observer States
  • Began with 51 member states in 1945.
• Roots - Paris Peace Treaty (1919), following WWI
  • The League of Nations: U.S President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points. (The 14th point created the League of Nations)
    • League of Nations was kinda squashed by Hitler.
• Fast Forward - United Nations response to the atrocities of WWII is the creation of the United Nations Charter.
  • Basically like the League of Nations 2

The Purpose of the United Nations §

• To maintain international peace and security.
• To develop friendly relations among nations.
• To achieve international cooperation.
• To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.

The Structure §

The UN charter creates the UN Structure with 6 major bodies

1. General Assembly
2. Security Council
3. Economic & Social Development
4. Trusteeship Council (currently inoperative)
5. International Court of Justice
6. Secretariat

General Assembly §

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.

Security Council §

The Security Council has primary responsibility under the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent). Each member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

• Consists of 5 Permanent States
  • China, Russia, Great Britain, USA, France
• 10 Non-Permanent States appointed for 2 year terms
  • Canada was last appointed in 1999-2000
• Vote on Forceful Tactics in R2P (Responsibility to Protect) cases. - World atrocities or crimes against humanity.
• One of the 15 can VETO and block the vote.

Should the Veto be allowed? §

Case Study: The Russian Veto §

• Russia has a history of using its Veto power on various past issues.
  • 6 Times supported India
  • During Crimean War
  • During war with Ukraine
  • On Syria sanctions

Economic and Social Council §

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue, and recommendations on economic, social, and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

International Court of Justice §

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York.

Secretariat §

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN Staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization’s other principal organs.