Almost all people heard something about such an international organization as the UN. Its members are almost all countries of the world, but few people know what functions it performs.
The UN structure includes 6 main units, whose employees deal with certain issues. The main goal of this organization is to maintain security and peace on our planet. In addition, the UN promotes the establishment of friendly relations between different countries, favors the development of comprehensive cooperation (social, economic, humanitarian, cultural). Arisen in 1945. The UN system works to help people on Earth in a wide range of areas and issues.
The main constituent document of this organization is its Charter. It lists the responsibilities and rights of its members to achieve common goals.
The UN structure is designed to achieve universal respect for all the rights of peoples and people. To carry out the activities of the organization, each participating country pays assessed contributions. The basic principle is that the richer the country, the more it contributes to the UN budget. So, according to recent estimates, more than 82% of the organization’s budget is paid by 16 of the richest countries in the world. This money is sent to each UN unit to carry out its duties and powers.
The UN structure includes such main bodies as the Security Council, the Secretariat, the General Assembly, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the International Court of Justice. Each of these bodies deals with a wide range of issues, therefore, they have many subsidiary and advisory bodies.
The UN structure is so complex that the list of all its units will take more than one page. The following are the leading units of its main bodies:
1. The following subsidiary bodies report to the Security Council:
- The sanctions committee;
- Compensation Commission;
- International Tribunals;
- Military Staff Committee;
- Peacekeeping Committee;
- The Counter-Terrorism Committee;
- Standing Committees;
- The 1540 Committee;
- Working Groups on Children and Armed Conflict.
The Council has 5 permanent members (China, Russia, Great Britain, USA, France) and 10 members elected every 2 years. It functions continuously. Each member presides for 1 month. This body has broad powers in maintaining security and peace. Council resolutions are binding on all countries. Meetings are held regularly, and if necessary, extraordinary meetings are convened.
2. The UN Secretariat includes specialized agencies and bodies:
- Postal Union;
- The World Bank Group;
- Worldwide organizations (health, meteorology, intellectual property, tourism);
- International organizations (maritime, civil aviation, monetary fund, telecommunication union, labor organization, agricultural development);
- Organization for education, science, culture and industrial development;
- World Trade, Agricultural and Food Organization;
- International Atomic Energy Agency;
- Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons and nuclear tests;
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on combating desertification, on climate change;
- Foundations of democracy and international partnership.
The head of the Secretariat is the Secretary General, who is elected for 5 years on the recommendations of the Security Council.
3. The General Assembly includes the following bodies:
- Committees;
- Advice;
- Commission;
- Agencies;
- Working groups.
At the General Assembly, member countries are represented by 1 vote. This body holds annual regular sessions and works with the complex structure of its subsidiary bodies. At extraordinary sessions, the Assembly meets in 24 hours.
4. The Board of Trustees consists of 5 members. He supervises the Non-Self-Governing Territories.
5. The Economic and Social Council has the following commissions:
- on development and population;
- for narcotic drugs;
- on the status of women;
- in science and technology;
- on sustainable development;
- on crime and justice;
- on social development;
- statistics.
This Council also includes regional economic commissions:
- in Europe;
- in Asia and the Pacific;
- in West Asia;
- in Latin America;
- in Africa.
The composition of this Council also includes various committees, special and expert bodies.
6. The International Court of Justice consists of 15 judges elected for 9 years from different countries. Its powers are ensured by the Security Council.
The UN structure includes other various specialized agencies. It also includes Peacekeeping Forces.