The United Nations (UN) is an international organization established in 1945 to promote peace, security, social progress, and cooperation among countries. To achieve its goals, the UN is structured into six main organs, each with its own distinct responsibilities. These organs work together to address global issues such as peacekeeping, development, human rights, and international law. In this article, we will explore the six main organs of the UN and explain the specific roles and functions of each.
The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the United Nations, where all 193 member states are represented. It meets annually to discuss and make decisions on a wide range of international issues, from global security to economic development, human rights, and environmental concerns. Each member state has one vote, regardless of its size or power, and decisions are usually made by a two-thirds majority on most issues.
The Security Council is the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It is composed of 15 members: 5 permanent members (the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom), known as the P5, and 10 rotating non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The permanent members hold veto power over substantive resolutions, meaning that any one of them can block decisions that they disagree with.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial body of the UN, responsible for settling legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by the UN or other specialized agencies. The ICJ is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and is composed of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms. The Court's decisions are binding on the parties involved, but it has no enforcement powers, meaning compliance is based on voluntary adherence by states.
The Secretariat is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day work of the United Nations, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General. The Secretariat provides support to the other UN organs and coordinates the activities of UN agencies and programs. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council and serves a five-year term, with the possibility of re-election.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of the 15 specialized agencies of the UN, such as the World Bank, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). ECOSOC is composed of 54 member states, which are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms. It meets annually to discuss global economic and social issues and to make recommendations for action.
The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 to oversee the administration of trust territories and ensure that their inhabitants were provided with education, governance, and eventual self-rule. The Council’s work was largely focused on decolonization and the promotion of self-determination for territories that were under the administration of foreign powers.
