18 Questions
What are the 'three sisters' in the context of international organizations?
The World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO
Which international organization is responsible for settling legal disputes between States?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
When was the Trusteeship Council's activities suspended?
1994
What is the role of the International Labour Organization (ILO)?
To promote social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights
How are the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elected?
Elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council
What was the purpose of the Trusteeship Council?
To provide international supervision for Trust Territories and prepare them for self-government or independence
What are the four main purposes of the United Nations?
- Maintain international peace and security; 2. Develop friendly relations among nations; 3. Achieve international cooperation in solving international problems; 4. To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends
Who are the permanent 'veto powers' in the United Nations Security Council?
The Big Five (or P-5) – the USA, Russia, China, the UK and France
How many nonpermanent members are elected to the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term?
10
What are the main responsibilities of the United Nations Security Council?
Maintenance of international peace and security, negotiation, observation, peacekeeping, and peace enforcement
Who heads the Secretariat of the United Nations?
The Secretary-General
What is the role of the Secretary-General in the United Nations?
The Secretary-General functions as the public face of the UN and its chief administrative officer
Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations?
António Guterres
What is the main function of the UN Secretariat?
To administer the programmes and policies laid down by the principal organs of the UN.
Name the Secretary-General of the United Nations who served from 2007 to 2016.
Ban Ki-moon
What is the role of the General Assembly within the UN?
Main deliberative organ of the UN, often referred to as the 'parliament of nations'.
In what context do Secretaries-General of the UN try to maintain the UN's independence?
Amidst rivalry amongst P-5 states.
How many staff members does the UN Secretariat have?
Approximately 40,000.
Study Notes
United Nations Institutions
- The UN has several institutions, including the World Bank, IMF, WTO, ILO, WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF.
- The Economic and Social Council was expanded to address specific economic and social problems.
International Court of Justice
- Composed of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the General Assembly and Security Council.
- Principal judicial organ of the UN, settling legal disputes between states and giving advisory opinions.
Trusteeship Council
- Established to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories and prepare them for self-government or independence.
- Suspended activities in 1994 when Palau, the last trust territory, gained independence.
Purposes of the United Nations
- Maintain international peace and security.
- Develop friendly relations among nations.
- Achieve international cooperation in solving international problems.
- Harmonize the actions of nations in attaining common ends.
Organs of the United Nations
- Security Council
- Trusteeship Council
- Secretariat
- International Court of Justice
- General Assembly
- Economic and Social Council
Security Council
- Composed of 15 members, including 5 permanent members (USA, Russia, China, UK, and France) with veto powers.
- Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- Has power to pass legally binding resolutions, impose economic sanctions, and take military action.
The Secretariat
- Headed by the Secretary-General, the public face and chief administrative officer of the UN.
- Appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year term.
- Serves the other principal organs of the UN and administers their programs and policies.
Secretary-Generals of the United Nations
- Trygve Lie (Norway, 1946-1952)
- Dag Hammarskjöld (Sweden, 1953-1961)
- U Thant (Myanmar, 1961-1971)
- Kurt Waldheim (Austria, 1972-1981)
- Javier Perez de Cuellar (Peru, 1982-1991)
- Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Egypt, 1992-1996)
- Kofi Annan (Ghana, 1997-2006)
- Ban Ki-moon (Korea, 2007-2016)
- Antonio Guterres (2017-2021)
Learn about the purposes and organs of the United Nations, including maintaining international peace, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation, and serving as a center for harmonizing actions. Familiarize yourself with the Security Council, Trusteeship Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, General Assembly, and Economic and Social Council.
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