The United Nations
The United Nations (U.N.) is a global diplomatic and political organization dedicated to international peace
and stability. The U.N. was officially established in 1945 following the horrific events of World War II, when
international leaders proposed to create a new global organization to maintain peace and avoid the abuses
of war. The U.N. initially had just 51 member states; today, the organization, which is headquartered in New
York City, has 193 members, that is nearly every nation in the world. Major U.N. initiatives include
preventing conflict by exploring options to ensure peace, providing food and medical assistance in
emergencies, and offering humanitarian support to millions of people around the world.
From the League of Nations to the Atlantic Charter and the U.N. Charter
After World War I, an international group developed the League of Nations to solve disputes between
countries. The League of Nations was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal
mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10th January 1920 by the Paris Peace
Conference that ended the First World War. When World War II started, the initiative failed but highlighted
the need for a new, reformed organization that could promote global peace.
In August 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill held a secret meeting where they discussed the
possibility of starting an international peace effort. They came up with a declaration called the Atlantic
Charter.
The Atlantic Charter was a statement issued on 14th August 1941 that set out American and British goals for
the world after the end of World War II. It outlined ideal goals of war and paved the way for the
development of the United Nations. After the war ended, the official United Nations Charter was ratified
by 51 members on October 24, 1945.
United Nations’ main goals
The organization’s objectives and principles are outlined in the U.N. Charter. According to the document,
the United Nations’ four main purposes are to:
●Maintain/keep international peace and security;
●Develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress;
●Achieve international cooperation in solving international problems;
●Be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
Major U.N. Bodies
The U.N. is divided into six main organs:
1. The General Assembly: it is the main policymaking body of the U.N. that votes on decisions the
organization makes. All 193 members are represented in this branch.
2. The Security Council: this 15-member council oversees measures that ensure the maintenance of
international peace and security. The Security Council determines if a threat exists and encourages the
parties involved to settle it peacefully. It’s made up of 5 permanent members - Russia, China, U.K., U.S. (the
victorious States) - which have Veto Power and 10 rotating member nations.
3. The Economic and Social Council: it is at the head of the UN’s economic, social, cultural and
humanitarian activities.
4. The Secretariat: The Secretariat is made up of the Secretary-General (António Guterres) and thousands of
U.N. staffers. Its members carry out the daily duties of the U.N. and work on international peacekeeping
missions.
5. The International Court of Justice: the main judicial body, responsible for settling legal disputes
submitted by the states and answering questions in accordance with international law.
6. The Trusteeship Council: it was in charge of supervising some territories during their preparation for
self-government or independence and now only convenes as necessary.
