United Nations Organization

image: Padraic Ryan

        It is an intergovernmental organization formed on October 24, 1945. The main aim is to maintain international peace, order & co-operation between the countries. Capital is at Manhattan, New York.

History
   League of Nations formed in 1919 was the predecessor to United Nations. However it failed to maintain the peace among the world countries eventually fell apart due to various internal conflicts. They could do nothing to prevent the World War 2.  The aftermath of WW2 was so devastating that the world community decided against such occurrence.  The American president Franklin Roosevelt suggested the name United Nations Organization (UNO). The headquarters building is situated on 18 acres of land donated by the philanthropist John D Rockefeller Jr.

      The constitution of UN is the UN charter which was signed in 26th June 1945, in San Francisco UN Conference on International Organizations. 50 countries and Poland two months later, signed it. These 51 countries are considered as permanent members of UN. 

UN officially formed on October 24, 1945. Every year October 24 is observed as United Nations day.

Main Organs

   The 6 main organs of United Nations are,

General Assembly-

   The main organ of UN with universal representation. All the 193 member countries are represented in the General assembly. The president is elected for every year.

Security Council-

  Primarily responsible for maintaining international peace & security. The council contains 15 members (5 permanent & 10 temporary members). It has a presidency which rotates & changes every month.

Economic & Social Council-

   It consists of 54 members. It’s the central platform of UN for discussions & debate, handling policies for sustainable development.

Trusteeship Council-                                                                                                                                  The organ formed in 1945 to provide internal supervision in the states having no self-government and where under the ruling of member nations. These states known as ‘trust territories’ attained independence under the supervision of council by 1994. 

International Court of Justice-

   The judicial organ of UN with capital at Hague, Netherlands. It is the only organ situated outside New York(USA).  The body is responsible for settlement of legal disputes among the member states. It consists of 15 judges with 9 year ruling term.

Secretariat –

   It is the executive organ of UN headed by a Secretary General and thousands of UN working members. Secretary General is the main administrative officer of UN elected by General Assembly over the recommendation of Security Council. His term in office is 5 years.