How is the UN structured?
The United Nations has six main organs:
1. The General Assembly - a "parliament of nations" that meets to consider the world’s most pressing problems. Each member state has one vote. The Assembly cannot force action by any state, but its recommendations are an important indication of world opinion.
1. The General Assembly - a "parliament of nations" that meets to consider the world’s most pressing problems. Each member state has one vote. The Assembly cannot force action by any state, but its recommendations are an important indication of world opinion. 2. The Security Council - whenever peace is threatened, the Council meets to explore ways to settle the dispute peacefully. In the event of fighting, the Council tries to secure a ceasefire. Under the UN Charter, all member states are obligated to carry out the Council’s decisions.
The Security Council has 15 members. Five of these - China, France the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States - are permanent members. The general Assembly elects the other ten for two-year terms.
3. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - a central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations. ECOSOC coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions, and five regional commissions, and receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes. It also consults with non-governmental organizations (NGO), such as WAGGGS.
4. The Trusteeship Council
The Security Council has 15 members. Five of these - China, France the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States - are permanent members. The general Assembly elects the other ten for two-year terms.
3. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - a central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations. ECOSOC coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions, and five regional commissions, and receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes. It also consults with non-governmental organizations (NGO), such as WAGGGS.
4. The Trusteeship Council
5. The International Court of Justice - also known as the World Court, decides disputes between countries. The Court is located at the Hague in the Netherlands.
6. The Secretariat - with a staff of around 7,500 - plus nearly the same number of special workers - the Secretariat carries out the substantive and administrative work of the United Nations. At its head is the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who provides overall administrative guidance.
The Secretariat consists of departments and offices based in the UN Headquarters in New York, as well as UN offices in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other locations. WAGGGS has UN teams of volunteers established with six UN offices around the world.
6. The Secretariat - with a staff of around 7,500 - plus nearly the same number of special workers - the Secretariat carries out the substantive and administrative work of the United Nations. At its head is the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who provides overall administrative guidance.
The Secretariat consists of departments and offices based in the UN Headquarters in New York, as well as UN offices in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other locations. WAGGGS has UN teams of volunteers established with six UN offices around the world.