Organs of the UN
International Relations Assignment
Name: Kumar Tanishk
Registration Number: 21JIP100
2
Content
- - - -
United Nations 3
The General Assembly 5
The Security Council 7
The Economic and Social Council 10
The Trusteeship Council 13
The International Court of Justice 15
The Secretariat 18
Refrences 20
3
United Nations
- - - -
Following World War II, the United Nations was founded with the goal of avoiding future hostilities
following the unsuccessful League of Nations. According to the organization's charter, its goals are to
preserve international peace and security, safeguard human rights, provide humanitarian help, promote
sustainable development, and respect international law. Its operations have generally consisted of
unarmed military observers and lightly armed personnel tasked with observing, reporting, and
establishing trust.
There are six main organs of the United Nations:
(a) The General Assembly
(b) Security Council
(c) Economic and Social Council
(d) Trusteeship Council
4
(e) Secretariat
(f) International Court of Justice
5
“
The General Assembly is a unique organ. It's the most representative organ of
the United Nations, where all 193 Member States are present. Each has one
vote regardless of its size, power, or wealth. That gives the body a huge
authority.
-Miroslav Lajcak
”
The General Assembly
- - - -
The United Nations General Assembly is
one of the organization's six main
institutions. It is the United Nations'
principal deliberative, policymaking, and
representational entity. In yearly sessions at
UN headquarters in New York City, the
General Assembly meets under the
leadership of its president or the UN
Secretary-General. The inaugural meeting
was held in the Methodist Central Hall in
London on January 10, 1946. In 1945, the
United Nations had 51 members, which had
nearly quadrupled to 193 by the twenty-first century, with more than two-thirds of them being
developing countries.
6
Composition
The General Assembly is made up of delegates from member nations that have been accredited by
their governments. The right to be represented in the General Assembly is guaranteed to all member
nations. Every state is entitled to one vote.
The representatives, advisers, and other individuals accredited by the governments make up the
delegations of the member states. Each delegation must have a leader who can delegate his or her
responsibilities to any other member of his or her delegation.
Reform
Kofi Annan criticised the United Nations General Assembly in his book "Larger Freedom" for
focusing so much on an agreement that it passed watered-down resolutions reflecting the lowest
common denominator of vastly differing viewpoints. He also chastised the Assembly for attempting to
address an overly broad agenda rather than focusing on pressing concerns such as international
migration and the long-debated comprehensive convention on terrorism. Mr Annan proposed
simplifying the General Assembly's agenda, committee structure, and processes, as well as increasing
the president's position and power, enhancing civil society's engagement, and establishing a system to
review committee decisions.
A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, also known as a United Nations People's Assembly, is a
proposed extension to the United Nations System that would allow residents all over the globe to vote
directly for UN parliament members. The Summit also advocated for improved coordination on
current challenges by enhancing the interaction between the General Assembly and the other key
organs. This might include giving the assembly more influence over the United Nations Security
Council or making arguments more productive and less monotonous.
Relevance
The General Assembly is the United Nations' principal deliberative, policymaking, and
representational body. It provides a unique venue for multilateral debate on international problems
such as peace and security, as it includes all 193 member states. While the General Assembly is not
directly engaged in political decisions such as the establishment or termination of UN peacekeeping
missions, it does play an important role in peacekeeping funding.
7
“
What takes place in the Security Council more closely resembles a mugging
than either a political debate or an effort at problem-solving.
-Jeane Kirkpatrick
”
The Security Council
- - - -
The Security Council was established after
World War II to address the League of
Nations' shortcomings. It has the authority
to form peacekeeping missions, impose
international sanctions, and authorise
military action. There were thirteen
peacekeeping missions in March 2019, with
over 81,000 people from 121 nations and a
budget of almost $6.7 billion.
8
Composition
The Trusteeship Council is made up of the Security Council's five permanent members:
(a) China
(b) France
(c) Russian Federation
(d) United Kingdom
(e) United States
(a) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with
end of term year):
(i) Albania (2023)
(ii) Brazil (2023)
(iii) Gabon (2023)
(iv) Ghana (2023)
(v) India (2022)
(vi) Ireland (2022)
(vii) Kenya (2022)
(viii) Mexico (2022)
(ix) Norway (2022)
(x) United Arab Emirates (2023)
A State which is a Member of the United Nations but not of the Security Council may participate,
without a vote, in its discussions when the Council considers that country's interests are affected. Both
Members and non-members of the United Nations, if they are parties to a dispute being considered by
the Council, may be invited to take part, without a vote, in the Council's discussions; the Council sets
the conditions for participation by a non-member State.
Reform
The UN Security Council has to be reformed on five fronts:
(a) Membership categories the question of the five permanent members' veto
(b) Regional representation
(c) Size of an expanded Council
(d) Connection between the Security Council and the General Assembly.
Different viewpoints and recommendations on how to proceed on this contentious subject were
prepared by Member States, regional organisations, and other Member State interest groups.
9
Any Security Council reform would require the approval of at least two-thirds of UN member states in
a General Assembly vote, as well as ratification by two-thirds of member states. All permanent
members of the UN Security Council (who have veto power) must also agree.
Relevance
Under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining
international peace and security. The Security Council is responsible for deciding when and where a
UN peacekeeping mission should be deployed. The UN Security Council keeps a close eye on the
functioning of UN peacekeeping operations, notably through quarterly reports from the
Secretary-General.
10
The Economic and Social
Council
- - - -
The Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) of the United Nations is in
charge of coordinating the organization's
economic and social sectors, especially the
fifteen specialised agencies, eight functional
commissions, and five regional
commissions. Every year in July, ECOSOC
meets for a four-week session, and since
1998, it has also had an annual conference
of finance ministers who chair key World
Bank and International Monetary Fund
committees.
Composition
The Council is made up of 54 Member States who are chosen by the General Assembly every year for
three-year periods that overlap. Seats on the Council are distributed among the United Nations
regional groups in an equitable geographic rotation, with 14 allocated to the African Group, 11 to the
Asia-Pacific Group, 6 to the Eastern European Group, 10 to the Latin American and Caribbean Group,
and 13 to the Western European and Other Groups.
Term African Asia-Pacific States (11) Eastern Latin Western
States (14) European American & European &
States (6) Caribbean Other States
States (10) (13)
Term African Asia-Pacific States (11) Eastern Latin Western
States (14) European American & European &
States (6) Caribbean Other States
States (10) (13)
11
1 January Côte d'Ivoire Afghanistan (UN currently Croatia Belize Belgium
2022 – 31 does not recognize ruling
December Tunisia Taliban government of Czech Chile Italy
2024 Afghanistan, which was Republic
Tanzania denied UN representation in Peru Canada
December 2021)
Eswatini United States
India
Mauritius
Oman
Kazakhstan
1 January Liberia Indonesia Bulgaria Argentina Austria
2021 – 31
December Libya Japan Bolivia France
2023
Madagascar Solomon Islands Guatemala Israel
[13]
Nigeria Mexico Portugal
Zimbabwe United
Kingdom
1 January Benin Bangladesh Latvia Colombia Denmark
2020 – 31
December Botswana China Montenegr Nicaragua Finland
2022 o
Congo Republic of Korea Panama Greece
Russian
Gabon Thailand Federation New Zealand
Reform
The fragmented composition of ECOSOC has hindered its ability to influence international trade,
finance, and investment regulations. The proposed reforms aim to improve the council's relevance and
contribution. The goal of the 2005 World Summit was to create ECOSOC as a high-level venue for
engagement among member governments, international financial institutions, the business sector, and
civil society. From 2016 onwards, the High-Level Political Forum will replace annual
ministerial-level substantive evaluations of progress on globally agreed development goals.
12
The Trusteeship Council
- - - -
The United Nations Trusteeship Council
guarantees that trust territories are managed
in the best interests of the people who live
there as well as international peace and
security. The trust territories, the majority of
which were former League of States
mandates or territory acquired from
defeated nations at the close of World War
II, have all gained self-government or
independence, either as distinct nations or
by joining surrounding sovereign countries.
Composition
The Trusteeship Council is made up of the Security Council's five permanent members:
(b) China
(c) France
(d) Russian Federation
(e) United Kingdom
(f) United States
Reform
Since the establishment of the Trusteeship Council in 1994, various suggestions have been made to
reform the Council and its role. The Council should be recreated as a forum for Member States to
exercise collective trusteeship for the integrity of the global environment and shared regions,
including the seas, atmosphere, and outer space, among other things.
Relevance
According to the Charter, the Trusteeship Council merely "assists" the General Assembly and the
Security Council in executing the trusteeship system. It was completely executive in nature,
13
overseeing the system's day-to-day functioning. The Council was particularly allowed under the
Charter to review reports given by the administering body in carrying out its supervisory and
administrative tasks.
14
“
Attempts to locate oneself within history are as natural, and as absurd, as
attempts to locate oneself within astronomy.
-Anonymous
”
The International Court of
Justice
- - - -
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
handles international legal disputes between
governments and provides advisory
opinions on international legal problems.
ICJ is the only international court that hears
general disputes between nations, and its
decisions and views are considered key
sources of international law. ICJ, which is
based at the Peace Palace in The Hague,
Netherlands, has heard 181 cases as of
September 2021.
15
Composition
The UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council elect judges to the International Court of
Justice for nine-year mandates. The court's elections are staggered, with five judges being elected
every three years to ensure continuity. The court's membership is designed to reflect the world's major
civilizations and legal systems. Judges of the International Court of Justice are not permitted to hold
other positions or serve as lawyers. According to Article 6 of the ICJ Statute, all judges, regardless of
nationality, must be chosen from among people of good moral character. Judges are either qualified
for the highest judicial positions in their native countries or are competent attorneys with relevant
international law expertise.
Current Composition:
Name Nationality Position Term began Term ends
Abdulqawi Yusuf Somalia Member 2009 2027
Xue Hanqin China Member 2010 2030
Peter Tomka Slovakia Member 2003 2030
Ronny Abraham France Member 2005 2027
Mohamed Bennouna Morocco Member 2006 2024
Antônio Augusto Cançado Brazil Member 2009 2027
Trindade
Joan Donoghue United States President 2010 2024
Julia Sebutinde Uganda Member 2012 2030
Dalveer Bhandari India Member 2012 2027
Patrick Lipton Robinson Jamaica Member 2015 2024
Hilary Charlesworth (Replaced Australia Member 2021 2024
James Crawford)
Kirill Gevorgian Russia Vice-president 2015 2024
Nawaf Salam Lebanon Member 2018 2027
Yuji Iwasawa Japan Member 2018 2030
Georg Nolte Germany Member 2021 2030
16
Philippe Gautier Belgium Registrar 2019 2026
For the 2021–2024 term For the For the For the For the
2021–2024 2021–2024 2021–2024 2021–2024
term term term term
Reform
The International Court of Justice has been chastised for its lack of efficacy and a string of missteps.
When it comes to jurisdictional conflicts, the Court should use a broad interpretational approach. The
author feels that rebuilding a completely new ICJ institution within the UN system is not feasible. It
may be accomplished in a step-by-step manner..
Relevance
The International Court of Justice was founded in 1945 by the United Nations Charter and began
operations in 1946. Its duty is to resolve legal issues brought to it by states in conformity with
international law, as well as to provide legal advice. The Court resolves international disputes based
on the voluntary involvement of the parties involved.
17
The Secretariat
- - - -
The UN Secretariat plays a crucial role in
determining the agenda for the UN's
deliberative and decision-making bodies. It
oversees UN deliberative institutions'
activities, provides evaluations for
peacekeeping operations, conducts surveys
and research, and is in charge of publishing
treaties and international agreements.
Composition
The Secretariat will be led by a
Secretary-General and staffed as needed by
the organisation. On the suggestion of the Security Council, the General Assembly will nominate the
Secretary-General. He will be the organisation's principal administrative officer.
Reform
The secretariat has undergone considerable revisions since its inception. Secretary-General Kofi
Annan suggested various improvements for the secretariat on March 21, 2005. He stated that he
would hire a scientific adviser, establish a peacebuilding support office, develop a cabinet-style
decision-making system, and improve the mediation role. He also asked the General Assembly to
appropriate funds for a one-time staff buyout, to collaborate with him in revising budgetary and
human resource rules, to give the secretary-general more managerial authority and flexibility, to
strengthen the Office of Internal Oversight Services, and to "review all mandates older than five years
to see whether the activities concerned are still genuinely needed or whether the resources assigned to
them can be reallocated in response to a change in circumstances."
Relevance
The United Nations Secretariat is the organization's administrative arm, reporting to the
Secretary-General. Its key responsibilities include gathering and preparing background material on a
variety of topics so that government representatives may examine the facts and make suggestions. On
the proposal of the Security Council, the General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General of the
United Nations for a five-year term. His or her responsibilities include bringing any problem that
threatens world peace to the attention of the United Nations Security Council and serving as a referee
18
in member-state disputes. Mr. Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea was appointed to a second term
on January 1, 2012, after taking office on January 1, 2007.
19
Refrences
- - - -
1. "Main Organs". United Nations. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.^
2. UN Secretariat". United Nations. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
3. Dag Hammarskjöld (1968). Hammarskjöld: The Political Man. Funk & Wagnalls.
4. Novosad, Paul; Werker, Eric (9 January 2014). "Who Runs the International System? Power
and the Staffing of the United Nations Secretariat" (PDF). Paul Novosad. Retrieved 9 April
2015. The article by Harvard Business School, researchers, Views the staffing of the
Secretariat as a globalized power struggle.
5. United Nations. (2011). Official web site http://www.un.org/en/mainbodies/secretariat/
6. "Secretariat – United Nations". The United Nations.
7. Charter of the United Nations. pp. Chapter XV.
8. "UN Staff Regulations – 2003" (PDF).
9. The UN Charter. pp. Chapter XV, Article 101.
10. Novosad, Paul; Werker, Eric (3 September 2014). "Who Runs the International System?
Power and the Staffing of the United Nations Secretariat" (PDF). Rochester, NY.
doi:10.2139/ssrn.2622700. SSRN 2622700.
