The United Nations System is a complex network of organizations working to maintain global peace and promote international cooperation. At its core are six principal organs, including the General Assembly and Security Council, which make crucial decisions on global issues.

The UN's structure enables it to address a wide range of challenges, from peacekeeping to economic development. Specialized agencies like WHO and FAO tackle specific global problems, while the International Court of Justice settles legal disputes between nations.

UN Principal Organs

General Assembly and Security Council

• General Assembly functions as main deliberative organ of UN
  • Comprises all 193 member states
  • Meets annually in regular sessions from September to December
  • Votes on important issues require two-thirds majority (budgetary matters, peace and security)
• Security Council holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security
  • Consists of 15 members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent)
  • Can impose sanctions or authorize use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security
  • Recommendations require 9 affirmative votes, including concurring votes of permanent members

Secretariat and Secretary-General

• Secretariat carries out day-to-day work of UN
  • Headed by Secretary-General, appointed by General Assembly on recommendation of Security Council
  • Administers peacekeeping operations, mediates international disputes, and organizes international conferences
• Secretary-General serves as UN's top diplomat and chief administrative officer
  • Brings matters threatening international peace and security to attention of Security Council
  • Term lasts 5 years, can be renewed
  • Notable Secretary-Generals include Kofi Annan and António Guterres

Economic and Social Council and UN Charter

• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) coordinates economic and social work of UN and specialized agencies
  • Consists of 54 members elected by General Assembly for three-year terms
  • Promotes international economic and social cooperation and development
• UN Charter serves as foundational treaty of United Nations
  • Signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco
  • Outlines purposes, principles, and organizational structure of UN
  • Establishes four main purposes: maintaining peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation, and harmonizing actions of nations

Security Council Composition

Permanent Members and Veto Power

• Permanent Members consist of five countries: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States
  • Known as P5, reflecting their important role in founding UN after World War II
  • Hold veto power over substantive resolutions
• Veto Power allows any permanent member to block adoption of a resolution
  • Can be exercised on all substantive matters, but not on procedural issues
  • Has been used over 200 times since UN's founding
  • Criticized for potentially paralyzing Security Council action (Syrian Civil War)

Non-Permanent Members and Election Process

• Non-Permanent Members include 10 countries elected for two-year terms
  • Cannot be immediately re-elected after serving a term
  • Elected by General Assembly with two-thirds majority required
• Election process aims to ensure equitable geographical distribution
  • Five seats for African and Asian States
  • One seat for Eastern European States
  • Two seats for Latin American and Caribbean States
  • Two seats for Western European and other States
• Non-permanent members rotate presidency of Security Council monthly in alphabetical order

Other UN Bodies and Functions

International Court of Justice and Trusteeship Council

• International Court of Justice (ICJ) serves as principal judicial organ of UN
  • Located in The Hague, Netherlands
  • Settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions to UN organs and specialized agencies
  • Consists of 15 judges elected by General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms
• Trusteeship Council suspended operations in 1994
  • Originally established to supervise administration of trust territories
  • Played crucial role in decolonization process (Palau gaining independence)
  • Remains available to be convened if needed in the future

Peacekeeping Operations and Specialized Agencies

• Peacekeeping operations deploy to conflict areas to maintain peace and security
  • First deployed in 1948 to monitor Arab-Israeli ceasefire
  • Involve military personnel, police officers, and civilian staff
  • Notable missions include UNMIK in Kosovo and MONUSCO in Democratic Republic of Congo
• Specialized Agencies work in coordination with UN on specific fields
  • World Health Organization (WHO) directs international health efforts and responds to health emergencies
  • International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes workers' rights and decent working conditions
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to combat hunger and improve nutrition