UN

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United Nations and its specialized agencies

The United Nations () is an intergovernmental organization established on 24 October 1945 to promote international cooperation. It was founded to replace the League of Nations following World War II and to prevent another conflict. When it was founded, the had 51 Member States; there are now 193. Most nations are members of the and send diplomats to the headquarters to hold meetings and make decisions about global issues.

The system is based on five principal organs:

 The General Assembly,

The Security Council,

The Justice/”>International Court of Justice.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),

 and

 A sixth principal organ, the Trusteeship Council, suspended operations in 1994

Four of the five principal organs are located at the main Headquarters in New York City. The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, while other major agencies are based in the  offices at Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Other institutions are located throughout the world. The six official languages of the , used in intergovernmental meetings and documents, are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

• The General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly (GA or GA) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (), the only one in which all member nations have equal representation, and the main deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the . Its powers are to oversee the budget of the , appoint the non-permanent members to the Security Council, receive reports from other parts of the and make recommendations in the form of General Assembly Resolutions. It has also established numerous subsidiary organs. Its current President is Peter Thomson.

• The Secretariat

The Secretariat is the United Nations' executive arm. The Secretariat has an important role in setting the agenda for the 's deliberative and DECISION MAKING bodies of the (the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Security Council), and the implementation of the decision of these bodies. The Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly, is the head of the secretariat. Present Sectary General is Antonio Guterres from Portugal.

• The International Court of Justice

The International Court of commonly referred to as the World Court, ICJ or The Hague) is the primary judicial branch of the United Nations (). Seated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the court settles legal disputes submitted to it by states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by duly authorized international branches, agencies, and the  General Assembly.

The ICJ is composed of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by the  General Assembly and the  Security Council from a list of people nominated by the national groups in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

• The Security Council

 It has charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to its United Nations Charter. Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions; it is the only body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states. The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946.

The Security Council consists of fifteen members. The great powers that were the victors of World War II—the Soviet Union (now represented by the Russian Federation), the United Kingdom, France, Republic of China (now represented by the People's Republic of China), and the United States—serve as the body's five permanent members. These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General. The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body's presidency rotates monthly among its members. Security Council resolutions are typically enforced by  peacekeepers, military forces voluntarily provided by member states and funded independently of the main budget. Present President is Tekeda Alemu.

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of 15 specialised agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions. The ECOSOC has 54 members. It holds one four-week session each year in July, and since 1998, it has also held an annual meeting in April with finance ministers heading key committees of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

United Nation specialized agencies

The specialized agencies are autonomous organizations working with the United Nations. All were brought into relationship with the through negotiated agreements. Some existed before the First World War. Some were associated with the League of Nations. Others were created almost simultaneously with the . Others were created by the to meet emerging needs.

WORLD BANK (WB)

The World Bank focuses on POVERTY reduction and the improvement of living standards worldwide by providing low-interest loans, interest-free credit, and grants to developing countries for Education, Health, Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, and communications, among other things. The World Bank works in over 100 countries through:

 World Bank Group
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
• International Development Association (IDA)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FD (IMF)

• Created in 1945, it is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high EMPLOYMENT and sustainable economic Growth and reduce poverty around the world.

• It does so by providing temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease Balance of Payments adjustment and technical assistance. The IMF currently has $28 billion in outstanding loans to 74 nations.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)

• WHO began its work on April 7, 1948, the day we celebrate every year as World Health Day. Its goal is to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world. Working through offices in more than 150 countries.

• WHO staffs work side by side with governments and other partners to ensure the highest attainable level of health for all people.

• It also helps mothers and children survive and thrive so they can look forward to a healthy old age.

• WHO ensures the safety of the air people breathe, the food they eat, the water they drink and the medicines and Vaccines they need.

ITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATOIN (ESCO)

• Founded on Nov 1945, having 195 members and eight associate members, governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board focuses on everything from teacher training to helping improve education worldwide to protecting important historical and cultural sites around the world.

• It added about 28 new World Heritage Sites this year to the list of irreplaceable treasures that will be protected for today’s travelers and future generations.

• Headquarter is in Paris, France known as the heart of Paris.

• Thus ESCO’s unique competencies in education, the sciences, culture and Communication and information contribute towards the realization of those goals.

• ESCO is also a member of the United Nations Development Group and works for Millennium Development Goals.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)

• Headquartered at Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO promotes international labor rights by formulating international standards on the freedom to associate, collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labor, and Equality of opportunity and treatment.

• The ILO has 187 member states: 186 of the 193 member states plus the Cook Islands are members of the ILO.

• In 1969, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations.

• The Governing Body decides the agenda of the International Labour Conference, adopts the draft program and budget of the organization for submission to the conference, elects the director-general, requests information from member states concerning labour matters, appoints commissions of inquiry and supervises the work of the International Labour Office.

FOOD AND agriculture ORGANIZATION (FAO)

• Headquartered at Rome Italy, the FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It is both a forum for negotiating agreements between developing and developed countries and a source of technical knowledge and information to aid development.

• Formed on Oct 16, 1945, presently having 194 members along with EU (a member organization) and the Faroe Island and Tokelau which are associate members.

THE INTERNATIONAL FD FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD)

• The IFAD, since it was created in 1977, has focused exclusively on rural poverty reduction, working with poor rural populations in developing countries to eliminate poverty, hunger and Malnutrition; raise their productivity and incomes; and improve the quality of their lives.

• Headquartered in Rome, Italy, it has 176 members including 174 member states along with the Cook Island and Niue.

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO)

• Also known as Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), the IMO has created a comprehensive shipping regulatory framework, addressing safety and environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, security, and efficiency.

• The IMO was established in Geneva in 1948 and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959, Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO has 172 Member States and three Associate Members.

• IMO is governed by an assembly of members and is financially administered by a council of members elected from the assembly.

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION (WMO)

• Founded in 1873 as International Meteorological Organisation, Established in 1950 headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it has 191 members.

• The WMO facilitates the free international exchange of meteorological data and information and the furtherance of its use in aviation, shipping, security, and agriculture, among other things.

WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO)

• The WIPO protects intellectual property throughout the world through 23 international treaties.

• Created in 1967, currently having 189 member states 186 of the  Members as well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are Members of WIPO. Non-members are the states of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, South Sudan and East Timor. The Palestinians have observer status and its headquartered is in Geneva, Switzerland.

INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN AVIATION ORGANIZATION (ICAO)

• The ICAO is a specialized agency, established by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), headquartered in Montreal Canada.

• ICAO works with the Convention’s 191 Member States and Industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMICATION ION (ITU)

• The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.

• It is committed to connecting the entire world’s people – wherever they live and whatever their means. Through its work, it protects and supports everyone’s fundamental right to communicate

• An organization based on public-private PARTNERSHIP since its inception, ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries and almost 800 private-sector entities and academic institutions. ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has twelve regional and area offices around the world.

ITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (IDO)

• Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the IDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization and environmental sustainability.

• Formed in 1966 with the mission described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the IDO General Conference in 2013, is to promote and accelerate Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in developing countries and economies in transition.

IVERSAL POSTAL ION (UPO)

• It is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal Network of up-to-date products and Services.

• Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, Formed on October 9, 1874 contains four bodies consisting of the Congress, the Council of Administration, the Postal Operation Council and the International bureau.

• It also oversees the Telematics and EMS cooperatives. Each member agrees to the same terms for conducting international postal duties.

OTHER ENTITIES/AGENCIES

AIDS
• The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is co-sponsored by 10 system agencies: HCR, ICEF, WFP, DP, FPA, ODC, the ILO, ESCO, WHO and the World Bank and has ten goals related to stopping and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

ISDR
• The United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction serves as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction.

OPS
• The United Nations Office for Project Services is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

IAEA
• The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world’s centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

WTO
• The World Trade Organization is a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, and a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other.

CTBTO
• The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-test-Ban Treaty Organization promotes the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (which is not yet in force) and the build-up of the verification regime so that it is operational when the Treaty enters into force.

OPCW
• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. OPCW Member States work together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.

IOM
• The International Organization for Migration works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.

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The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and Human Rights. Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, Climate change, Sustainable Development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, Gender Equality, governance, food production, and more.

The UN System is made up of the UN itself and a family of specialized agencies that are governed by their own constitutions but work with the UN in related areas. Together, the UN and its System entities are mandated to address the full range of international issues, and provide a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.

The UN System works on a wide range of issues, including:

• Peace and security: The UN Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has the power to authorize the use of force, to establish peacekeeping operations, and to impose sanctions.
• Economic and social development: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. It coordinates the work of the UN’s specialized agencies and funds, and provides a forum for governments to discuss economic and social issues.
• Human rights: The UN Human Rights Council is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. It monitors human rights violations, and makes recommendations to governments on how to improve their human rights records.
• Refugees: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is responsible for protecting and assisting refugees. It provides food, shelter, education, and other assistance to refugees, and works to find solutions to their problems.
• Humanitarian affairs: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for coordinating humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts. It provides food, water, shelter, and other assistance to those in need.
• Development: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is responsible for promoting sustainable development. It provides technical assistance to governments, and supports development projects in a variety of areas, including poverty reduction, education, health, and the Environment.
• Environment: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for protecting the environment. It provides information and technical assistance to governments, and works to promote sustainable development.
• Science and technology: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is responsible for promoting education, science, and culture. It provides grants and technical assistance to governments, and supports educational, scientific, and cultural projects around the world.
• Gender equality: The UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is responsible for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. It provides technical assistance to governments, and supports projects that promote women’s rights and empowerment.
• Governance: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is responsible for promoting Good Governance. It provides technical assistance to governments, and supports projects that promote Democracy, human rights, and the Rule of Law.
• Financing: The UN Department of Management (DM) is responsible for managing the UN’s finances. It prepares the UN’s budget, and oversees the UN’s financial operations.
• Management: The UN Department of Operational Support (DOS) is responsible for providing administrative and logistical support to the UN’s operations. It manages the UN’s personnel, facilities, and equipment.
• Public information: The UN Department of Public Information (DPI) is responsible for informing the public about the UN’s work. It produces and distributes information materials, and organizes events and conferences.
• Outreach: The UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) is responsible for outreach to civil Society organizations and other non-governmental actors. It provides information about the UN’s work, and seeks their input on UN policies and programs.
• Partnerships: The UN Office for Partnerships (OP) is responsible for developing and managing partnerships with the private sector, foundations, and other non-governmental organizations. It works to mobilize Resources for the UN’s work, and to promote the UN’s goals and objectives.
• Volunteers: The UN Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN’s largest operational arm for international volunteering. It provides opportunities for people from all over the world to volunteer their skills and expertise to support the UN’s work.

The UN is a unique organization that brings together the world’s nations to address the challenges of the 21st century. It is a forum for dialogue and cooperation, and a provider of essential services to people around

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the United Nations:

• What is the United Nations?
  The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, Climate Change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more.

• What are the six principal organs of the United Nations?
  The six 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.

• What is the General Assembly?
  The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the United Nations. It is composed of all 193 Member States of the United Nations. The General Assembly meets in regular sessions every year, and in special sessions when necessary.

• What is the Security Council?
  The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members, five of which are permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and 10 of which are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

• What is the Economic and Social Council?
  The Economic and Social Council is responsible for promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. It has 54 members, elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms.

• What is the Trusteeship Council?
  The Trusteeship Council was established to oversee the administration of trust territories, which were territories that were not self-governing and were placed under the administration of a trusteeship agreement with the United Nations. The Trusteeship Council completed its work in 1994, when the last trust territory, Palau, became independent.

• What is the International Court of Justice?
  The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

• What is the Secretariat?
  The Secretariat is the administrative organ of the United Nations. It is headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

• What are the main goals of the United Nations?
  The main goals of the United Nations are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, promote social progress, better living standards and human rights, and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

• What are some of the achievements of the United Nations?
  The United Nations has achieved many things since its founding in 1945. Some of its most notable achievements include:

• The establishment of the International Court of Justice, which has settled hundreds of legal disputes between States.

• The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out the Fundamental Rights and freedoms of all human beings.
• The establishment of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children around the world.
• The establishment of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which helps countries to achieve sustainable development.

• The establishment of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which has helped to maintain peace and security in many countries around the world.

• What are some of the challenges facing the United Nations?
  The United Nations faces many challenges, including:

• The threat of terrorism.

• The proliferation of nuclear weapons.
• The spread of infectious diseases.
• Poverty and hunger.
• Environmental Degradation.
• Conflict and violence.

Despite these challenges, the United Nations remains an important organization for promoting peace, security, and development around the world.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic UN:

1. The United Nations was founded in which year?
   (A) 1945
   (B) 1946
   (C) 1947
   (D) 1948

2. The United Nations has how many member states?
   (A) 193
   (B) 194
   (C) 195
   (D) 196

3. The United Nations Security Council has how many permanent members?
   (A) 5
   (B) 6
   (C) 7
   (D) 8

4. The United Nations General Assembly has how many members?
   (A) 193
   (B) 194
   (C) 195
   (D) 196

5. The United Nations Secretariat is headed by whom?
   (A) The Secretary-General
   (B) The President of the General Assembly
   (C) The President of the Security Council
   (D) The Chief of Staff

6. The United Nations has six main organs. Which of the following is not one of the six main organs?
   (A) The General Assembly
   (B) The Security Council
   (C) The Economic and Social Council
   (D) The International Court of Justice
   (E) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

7. The United Nations has a number of specialized agencies. Which of the following is not one of the specialized agencies?
   (A) The World Bank
   (B) The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
   (C) The World Health Organization (WHO)
   (D) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
   (E) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

8. The United Nations has a number of funds and programs. Which of the following is not one of the funds and programs?
   (A) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
   (B) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
   (C) The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
   (D) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
   (E) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

9. The United Nations has a number of peacekeeping operations. Which of the following is not one of the peacekeeping operations?
   (A) The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
   (B) The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
   (C) The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
   (D) The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
   (E) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)

10. The United Nations has a number of humanitarian operations. Which of the following is not one of the humanitarian operations?
    (A) The World Food Programme (WFP)
    (B) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
    (C) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
    (D) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
    (E) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)