UNTED NATIONS

ORIGIN

The name "United Nations" was devised by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and was first used in the "Declaration by United Nations" of 1 January 1942, during the
Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to
continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

The United Nations Charter was drawn up by the representatives of 50 countries at the United
Nations Conference on International Organization, which met at San Francisco from 25 April
to 26 June 1945. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the
representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at
Dumbarton Oaks in August-October 1944. The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the
representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference,
signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had
been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and
by a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter
had been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States. The day is now celebrated
each year around the world as United Nations Day.

The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for
peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being
of all people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and
national interests when addressing international problems.

There are currently 192 Members of the United Nations. They meet in the General Assembly,
which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Each country, large or small, rich or poor,
has a single vote, however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding.
Nevertheless, the Assembly's decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world
governmental opinion.

The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are
international territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own

postage stamps. Six official languages are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian and Spanish. The UN European Headquarters is in the Palais des
Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. It has offices in Vienna, Austria and Economic Commissions
in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Amman in Jordan, Bangkok in Thailand and Santiago in Chile.
The senior officer of the United Nations Secretariat is the Secretary-General.
 THE AIMS OF THE UNITED NATIONS:

• To keep peace throughout the world.

• To develop friendly relations between nations.

• To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy
in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's
rights and freedoms.

To be a centre for helping nations achieve these aims.

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS:

• All Member States have sovereign equality.

• All Member States must obey the Charter.

• Countries must try to settle their differences by peaceful means.

• Countries must avoid using force or threatening to use force.

• The UN may not interfere in the domestic affairs of any country.

• Countries should try to assist the United Nations.

PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF THE UNITED NATIONS

The Charter provided for the establishment of six organs of the UN-The General assembly,
The Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the
International court of justice and the Secretariat.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies
a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the
United Nations. Comprising all 192 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique
forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the
Charter.

It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of
international law. The Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to
December each year, and thereafter as required.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the branch of the United Nations charged
with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United
Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of
international sanctions, and the authorization for military action Its powers are exercised
through United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
MEMBERS

There are two categories of membership in the UN Security Council: permanent members
and elected members.

PERMANENT MEMBERS

China and the United Nations, France and the United Nations, Russia and the United Nations,
Soviet Union and the United Nations, United Kingdom and the United Nations, and United
States and the United Nations

ELECTED MEMBERS

Ten other members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1
January, with five replaced each year. The members are chosen by regional groups and
confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. The African bloc chooses three
members; the Latin America and the Caribbean, Asian, and Western European and Others
blocs choose two members each; and the Eastern European bloc chooses one member. Also,
one of these members is an Arab country, alternately from the Asian or African bloc.

ROLE OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Under Chapter Six of the Charter, "Pacific Settlement of Disputes", the Security Council
"may investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or
give rise to a dispute". The Council may "recommend appropriate procedures or methods of
adjustment" if it determines that the situation might endanger international peace and
security. These recommendations are not binding on UN members.