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Overview of the United Nations Structure

Dec 30, 2024

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Understanding the United Nations: A Brief Overview

Introduction

  • Purpose of Video: Explain the history, structure, and function of the United Nations (UN).
  • Background: Following WWI, the League of Nations was formed to prevent wars but failed, leading to WWII.

Formation of the United Nations

  • Post-WWII Context: An international organization was needed to better prevent conflicts.
  • Establishment: UN established on October 24, 1945, following the ratification of the UN Charter by the US, UK, France, Soviet Union, and China, among others.
  • Initial Meetings:
    • General Assembly first met on January 10, 1946.
    • Security Council met shortly after.

Principal Organs of the UN

  1. General Assembly

    • Role: Main deliberative body with representation from all member states.
    • Functions: Addresses international peace, admission of states, and budget issues.
    • Leadership: Led by an elected president for a one-year term.
    • Voting: Two-thirds majority for significant issues, simple majority for others.

  2. Security Council

    • Purpose: Maintain international peace and security.
    • Membership: 15 members: 5 permanent (US, UK, France, Russia, China) and 10 rotating members.
    • Powers: Binding resolutions on member states, sanctions, peacekeeping, and use of force.
    • Veto Power: Permanent members have veto rights.

  3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

    • Jurisdiction: Economic, social welfare, environment, and development issues.
    • Membership: 54 members elected for three-year terms.
    • Subsidiary Bodies: 30 bodies concerning various global issues.

  4. International Court of Justice (ICJ)

    • Function: Primary judicial body of the UN.
    • Composition: 15 judges nominated and elected by General Assembly and Security Council.
    • Limitations: Relies on state consent for jurisdiction.

  5. Secretariat

    • Role: Day-to-day operations of the UN.
    • Leadership: Led by Secretary-General, elected for a renewable five-year term.
    • Activities: Oversees UN missions globally.

  6. Trusteeship Council

    • Original Purpose: Supervise UN trust territories towards self-governance or independence.
    • Current Status: Inactive since 1994, but still officially elects leaders.

Potential Future of the Trusteeship Council

  • New Role: Possible redefinition to include environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

  • Engagement: Encouraged audience to engage through comments, social media, and support on Patreon.

Full transcript