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The United Nations (UN) – Detailed Study Guide

The United Nations (UN), established in 1945, is the largest international organization aimed at maintaining peace, security, and cooperation among nations, with 193 member states. It consists of six principal organs, including the General Assembly and Security Council, and has specialized agencies addressing various global issues. Despite its achievements in peacekeeping, human rights, and sustainable development, the UN faces challenges such as veto power deadlocks and criticism for its handling of certain conflicts.

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4 views5 pages

The United Nations (UN) – Detailed Study Guide

The United Nations (UN), established in 1945, is the largest international organization aimed at maintaining peace, security, and cooperation among nations, with 193 member states. It consists of six principal organs, including the General Assembly and Security Council, and has specialized agencies addressing various global issues. Despite its achievements in peacekeeping, human rights, and sustainable development, the UN faces challenges such as veto power deadlocks and criticism for its handling of certain conflicts.

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The United Nations (UN) – Detailed Study

Guide
The United Nations (UN) is the largest international organization established to maintain
peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It was founded in 1945 after World War
II to prevent future conflicts and promote human rights, development, and diplomacy.

1. Background of the United Nations


●​ The League of Nations (1919-1946) was the first global peace organization, but it
failed to prevent World War II.
●​ After WWII, world leaders recognized the need for a stronger international body
to prevent future wars.
●​ The United Nations was officially established on 24 October 1945, when the UN
Charter came into force.
●​ Initially, 51 countries signed the UN Charter; today, 193 countries are members.
●​ The headquarters of the UN is in New York City, USA.
●​ Current Secretary-General: António Guterres (Portugal), since 2017.

2. Structure of the United Nations


The UN has a complex structure with six principal organs that work together to achieve
its goals.

2.1. General Assembly

●​ Main policymaking and representative body of the UN.


●​ Includes all 193 member states, each having one vote.
●​ Discusses global issues like security, development, human rights, and
peacekeeping.
●​ Elects the Secretary-General and non-permanent Security Council members.

2.2. Security Council (UNSC)

●​ Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.


●​ 15 members:

🇨🇳
○​ 5 Permanent Members (P5) with veto power:

🇫🇷
■​ China
■​ France
🇷🇺
🇬🇧
■​ Russia

🇺🇸
■​ United Kingdom
■​ United States
○​ 10 Non-Permanent Members elected for two-year terms.
●​ Can impose sanctions, deploy peacekeeping forces, and approve military
interventions.

2.3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

●​ Coordinates the economic, social, and development activities of the UN.


●​ Supervises UN agencies like WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF.
●​ Works on poverty reduction, education, health, and human rights.

2.4. International Court of Justice (ICJ)

●​ Judicial organ of the UN, based in The Hague, Netherlands.


●​ Settles disputes between nations (e.g., border conflicts, war crimes).
●​ Provides legal advice to the General Assembly and Security Council.

2.5. Secretariat

●​ Administrative arm of the UN, headed by the Secretary-General.


●​ Carries out the day-to-day work of the UN (e.g., humanitarian aid, conflict
mediation).
●​ Current Secretary-General: António Guterres (since 2017).

2.6. Trusteeship Council (Inactive since 1994)

●​ Originally supervised trust territories transitioning to independence.


●​ Ceased operations after Palau became independent (1994).

3. Specialized Agencies of the United Nations


The UN has 15 specialized agencies that focus on different global issues. Here are the
most important ones:

Agency Full Name Function Headquarters

WHO World Health Organization Monitors public health, fights Geneva,


diseases (e.g., COVID-19, Switzerland
Malaria)

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Promotes education, Paris, France


Scientific and Cultural science, and culture
Organization
UNICEF United Nations International Works for child welfare, New York, USA
Children's Emergency Fund education, and nutrition

FAO Food and Agriculture Works on food security and Rome, Italy
Organization hunger eradication

ILO International Labour Protects workers’ rights and Geneva,


Organization promotes fair labor policies Switzerland

IMF International Monetary Fund Provides financial aid and Washington,


stabilizes economies D.C., USA

World World Bank Group Provides loans and Washington,


Bank development funding to D.C., USA
countries

IAEA International Atomic Energy Oversees nuclear safety Vienna, Austria


Agency and non-proliferation

4. Achievements of the United Nations


The UN has made significant contributions in various fields:

4.1. Maintaining International Peace and Security

●​ Prevented World War III by resolving global conflicts.


●​ Peacekeeping missions in conflict zones (e.g., Congo, Bosnia, Haiti).

4.2. Decolonization & Independence Movements

●​ Supported the independence of over 80 countries from colonial rule.


●​ Played a role in India’s independence (1947) and African decolonization.

4.3. Human Rights Protection

●​ Adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).


●​ Investigates human rights abuses (e.g., genocide, war crimes).

4.4. Humanitarian Aid & Refugee Support

●​ UN agencies like UNICEF, WHO, and UNHCR provide aid to disaster-affected


regions.
●​ Works in famine relief, refugee camps, and emergency health care.

4.5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


●​ Launched Agenda 2030 with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
including:
○​ No Poverty
○​ Zero Hunger
○​ Gender Equality
○​ Clean Water and Sanitation
○​ Affordable and Clean Energy

4.6. Nuclear Disarmament & Environmental Protection

●​ Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (1996).
●​ Paris Climate Agreement (2015) to fight climate change.

5. India and the United Nations


5.1. India as a Founding Member

●​ India signed the UN Charter in 1945 and has been an active participant in UN
initiatives.

5.2. India in the Security Council

●​ Served as a non-permanent member 8 times (most recently in 2021-2022).


●​ Advocates for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

5.3. India’s Contributions to UN Peacekeeping

●​ Largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces with over 250,000 troops sent to


different missions.

5.4. India’s Role in Global Policies

●​ Supports climate change agreements, nuclear disarmament, and global health


programs.
●​ Helped in COVID-19 vaccine distribution through COVAX initiative.

6. Challenges and Criticism of the UN


While the UN has many achievements, it also faces challenges and failures:

6.1. Veto Power & Security Council Issues


●​ Permanent members (P5) can block decisions, leading to deadlocks (e.g., Syria
conflict, Ukraine war).
●​ India demands Security Council reforms to make it more democratic.

6.2. Peacekeeping Failures

●​ Failed to prevent Rwanda Genocide (1994) and Bosnia Massacre (1995).

6.3. Human Rights Violations

●​ Criticized for not acting against China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims.

7. Key Dates (For Quick Revision)


📌 24 October 1945 – United Nations founded.​
📌 1948 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted.​
📌 1963 – Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed.​
📌 1996 – Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty signed.​
📌 2015 – Paris Climate Agreement adopted.

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