PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF UN
There are 5 (earlier 6) Principal organs of UN:
- United Nations General Assembly.
- United Nations Security Council
- International Court of Justice
- United Nations Secretariat
- Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Formed in: 1945
It is the main deliberative, policy making and a representative organ of all 193 members.
It meets annually in September in its HQ New York.
Decisions are taken by majority. (Some by special & some by simple majority). The UNGA President holds a 1 Year Term.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Formed in: 1945
Objective: To maintain international peace & security.
Membership: 15 (5 Permanent & 10 Non Permanent).
All member states are obligated to comply with council decisions.
Powers:
- Can impose sanctions.
- Authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace.
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)
It is the Principal judicial organ of UN.
HQ: Hague, Netherlands.
Members: 15. (Decision by relative majority)
Role:
- To settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes, submitted to it by states.
- Give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN Organs & specialised agencies.
UN SECRETARIAT
Headed by: Secretary General.
Role: Carry out day to day work (organisation of conferences, preparation of budget, etc) of UN as mandated by UNGA & other principal organs.
Chief Administrative Officer is appointed by UNGA on the recommendation of UNSC for a 5 years term. (aka UN Secretary General–UNs foremost representative). He is appointed for a term of 5 years. (Actually the length is discretionary, but since 1971, there is a convention of 5 year term)
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)
It is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue & recommendations on economic, social & environmental issues and implementation of internationally agreed development goals. It serves as a central mechanism for activities of the UN system & its specialised agencies in the economic, social & environmental fields. (Sustainable development).
Members: 54 (elected by UNGA)
