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Introduction

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization dedicated to promoting global cooperation across various domains, including international law, security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and world peace. United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24. As of now, the UN comprises 193 member states.

Principal Organs

The UN has six principal organs:

General Assembly

  • Often referred to as the "town meeting of the world."
  • The General Assembly convenes annually, starting on the first Tuesday of September.
  • It appoints the Secretary-General of the UN Secretariat based on the Security Council's recommendation.
  • The presidency rotates yearly among five geographical groups: Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe and other states.
  • Every member state can send five delegates, but each country has only one vote.
  • The General Assembly is headquartered in New York, US.

Security Council

  • The main purpose of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security.
  • Originally composed of eleven members, the Security Council expanded to fifteen members in 1965.
  • It includes five permanent members: China, the UK, Russia, France, and the USA, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. Five non-permanent members are replaced annually, and retiring members cannot be re-elected immediately.
  • Permanent members possess veto power, which can block any decision supported by the majority.
  • The Security Council is based in New York, US.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

  • ECOSOC aims to advance social progress and improve living standards.
  • It consists of 54 members, with one-third (18 members) elected annually by the General Assembly to serve three-year terms. Both retiring members and the President can be re-elected immediately.
  • The ECOSOC headquarters is located in New York, US.

The Trusteeship Council

  • Established to ensure that trust territories were administered in the best interests of their inhabitants and international peace and security.
  • Formed in 1945, it was headquartered in New York, US.
  • The Trusteeship Council ceased operations on November 1, 1994, following the independence of Palau, the last UN trust territory, on October 1, 1994.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)

  • The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN.
  • Its primary functions are to resolve legal disputes between states and to offer advisory opinions on legal questions posed by authorized international organs, agencies, and the UN General Assembly.
  • Established in 1945, the ICJ is based in The Hague, Netherlands.
  • It comprises 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council for nine-year terms.

The Secretariat

  • The Secretariat is one of the principal organs responsible for facilitating international peace and security through diplomatic means.
  • It is led by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
  • The Secretary-General serves a five-year term and can be re-elected; however, no Secretary-General has served more than two terms.
  • The Secretariat employs international civil servants and is headquartered in New York, US.

Secretary Generals Till Date

Name

Resignation/Retirement

Trygve Lie (1946-1962)

Resigned in November 1952

Dag Hammarskjöld (1953-1961)

Died in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)

U Thant (1961-1971)

Declined to consider a third term

Kurt Waldheim (1972-1981)

China voted against his third term

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982-1991)

Refused to be considered for a third term

Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996)

The United States voted against his second term

Kofi Annan (1997-2006)

Retired after completing a full term

Ban Ki-moon (January 1, 2007-2016)

Retired after completing a full term

Antonio Guterres (January 1, 2017-Present)

Currently serving

Important United Nation Agencies 

United Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank Exams

International Organisations and Groups 

United Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank ExamsUnited Nations | General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank Exams

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FAQs on United Nations - General Awareness & Knowledge - Bank Exams

1. What are the principal organs of the United Nations?
Ans. The principal organs of the United Nations are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
2. Name some important United Nations agencies.
Ans. Some important United Nations agencies include UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), WHO (World Health Organization), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
3. Can you provide examples of international organizations and groups affiliated with the United Nations?
Ans. International organizations and groups affiliated with the United Nations include NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank Group, and OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).
4. What is the purpose of the United Nations in relation to international cooperation?
Ans. The United Nations aims to promote international cooperation in areas such as peace and security, human rights, economic development, and humanitarian assistance to address global challenges effectively.
5. How does the United Nations contribute to maintaining international peace and security?
Ans. The United Nations contributes to maintaining international peace and security through peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention, mediation, and diplomacy to resolve disputes between nations peacefully.
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