Meeting 5 – The United Nations
1. What are the aims of the United Nations?
The aims of the United Nations are laid down in Article 1 of the UN Charter. The main
purposes are:
- To maintain international peace and security, including the prevention and peaceful
settlement of disputes and collective measures against threats to peace.
- To develop friendly relations among states, based on equal rights and the principle of self-
determination of peoples.
- To achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, and
humanitarian problems.
- To promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without
discrimination.
- To serve as a centre for harmonising the actions of states in achieving these common goals.
Source: UN Charter, Article 1.
2. What are the organs of the UN and what are their main powers and functions?
According to Article 7 of the UN Charter, the UN has six principal organs:
1. General Assembly (GA)
- Composed of all UN member states., all member states are represented
- Discusses international issues, makes recommendations, adopts resolutions and promotes
cooperation.
- Its resolutions are generally not legally binding.
, 2. Security Council (SC)
- Has primary responsibility for international peace and security.
- Can adopt binding decisions, including sanctions and the authorization of the use of force
under Chapter VII.
- Has 15 members
3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Promotes international economic, social, and cultural cooperation.
- promotes development, human rights, and international cooperation.
4. International Court of Justice (ICJ) art. 92-96 UN
- Settles legal disputes between states.
- Gives advisory opinions to UN organs and agencies.
- the ICC is for criminal individuals.
5. Secretariat
- Carries out the administrative work of the UN. (Antonio Guiterrez)
- Headed by the Secretary-General who plays an important and diplomatic role.
- Art. 101 UN
6. Trusteeship Council
- Supervised trust territories after WW II (currently inactive).
- helping territories that need to become independent.
- like colonies
Source: UN Charter, Articles 7–22.
1. What are the aims of the United Nations?
The aims of the United Nations are laid down in Article 1 of the UN Charter. The main
purposes are:
- To maintain international peace and security, including the prevention and peaceful
settlement of disputes and collective measures against threats to peace.
- To develop friendly relations among states, based on equal rights and the principle of self-
determination of peoples.
- To achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, and
humanitarian problems.
- To promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without
discrimination.
- To serve as a centre for harmonising the actions of states in achieving these common goals.
Source: UN Charter, Article 1.
2. What are the organs of the UN and what are their main powers and functions?
According to Article 7 of the UN Charter, the UN has six principal organs:
1. General Assembly (GA)
- Composed of all UN member states., all member states are represented
- Discusses international issues, makes recommendations, adopts resolutions and promotes
cooperation.
- Its resolutions are generally not legally binding.
, 2. Security Council (SC)
- Has primary responsibility for international peace and security.
- Can adopt binding decisions, including sanctions and the authorization of the use of force
under Chapter VII.
- Has 15 members
3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Promotes international economic, social, and cultural cooperation.
- promotes development, human rights, and international cooperation.
4. International Court of Justice (ICJ) art. 92-96 UN
- Settles legal disputes between states.
- Gives advisory opinions to UN organs and agencies.
- the ICC is for criminal individuals.
5. Secretariat
- Carries out the administrative work of the UN. (Antonio Guiterrez)
- Headed by the Secretary-General who plays an important and diplomatic role.
- Art. 101 UN
6. Trusteeship Council
- Supervised trust territories after WW II (currently inactive).
- helping territories that need to become independent.
- like colonies
Source: UN Charter, Articles 7–22.
