1. International Organizations
Part 2

2. The General Assembly Central body of the UN
Every member state is represented and has 1 vote
6 official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish
Described as the ‘town-hall meeting of the world’
Purpose is the examine, debate, and promote global consensus on issues of common concern

3. General Assembly 2
None of its resolutions are legally binding, they do carry the weight of shared world governmental opinion
Some decisions pertaining to issues such as peace, security, the budget, and the admission of new members are considered so important that they require a two-thirds majority vote
Other issues are decided by a majority

4. UN Building New York

5. Security Council Most powerful organ of the UN
Primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security
While other organs simply offer recommendations to member states, the Security Council has the power to make decisions that are legally binding on all members under the UN Charter
SC decisions are supported by a system of sanctions for enforcing compliance

6. Security Council 2 Made up of 15 members
The victors of WWII became the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and US)
10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly every two years

7. Security Council 3
In the event of a threat to international peace, the SC can take several distinct courses of action
Mediation or settlement
Peacekeeping missions
Ceasefire if fighting has already occurred
Economic sanctions
Arms embargos
Military action

8. Security Council 4
When economic sanctions and blockades ordered by the SC fail to bring countries into compliance with the aims of the UN, force may be used.
Chapter VII of the UN Charter empowers the SC to make decisions denouncing acts of aggression and to take action and use force if necessary
The use of force requires 9 affirmative votes which must include the 5 permanent members
A veto by a permanent member prevents the adoption of a proposal even if there are nine of more affirmative votes

9. Security Council 5
The SC has a number of standing (permanent) and ad-hoc (temporary, issue-based) committees to assist in its work
The SC has also established two war crimes tribunals which arose out of civil strife in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda
It also supervises the ongoing disarmament programs. (example – monitoring Iraq’s destruction of its weapons)

10. The Secretariat Carries out the day-to-day work of the UN
AKA the UN’s civil service, headed by the Secretary General who is elected by the GA on the recommendation of the SC for a 5 year, renewable term
Has a staff of approx. 8900, from 170 countries
All members of the Secretariat take an oath to serve the UN alone and not to receive instructions from any gov. or outside authority

11. Economic and Social Council
ECOSOC coordinates the social work of the UN
Consults with NGOs on issues such as immunization and financing of refugee camps
Has 54 members, elected by the GA for 3 year terms
Seats are allotted based on geographical representation (14 African, 11 Asian, 6 Eastern European, 10 Latin American, 13 Western Europe and other)

12. ECOSOC 2
Concerned with diverse issues such as the status of women, crime prevention, environmental protection
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is an example of an organization that report to the UN through ECOSOC
WHO (World Health Organization) mandate:
Promote international coopertion in support of global health
Develop and manage programs for controlling and eliminating disease
Work to improve the quality of life of people all over the world

17. The Trusteeship Council
Established to help prepare 11 countries that had been under colonial rule to become independent countries at the end of WWI
Example:
German East Africa – now Tanzania
Iraq (was under British mandate)
Palau (in the South Pacific was under US mandate)
Suspended operations in 1994 when all 11 states became independent

18. International Court of Justice
ICJ is the legal organ of the UN
On the recommendation of the SC the GA elects 15 judges to this court
Purpose is to settle disputes among member states and render opinions in the form of advisories on behalf of the UN
Participation is voluntary, however once an member agrees to participate that member is obligated to comply with whatever decision is made by the ICJ
The court does not hear cases relating to individual citizens