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The United Nations (UN) 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 UN had 51 Member States; there are now 193. Most nations are members of the UN and send diplomats to the headquarters to hold meetings and make decisions about global issues.
The UN 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 UN Headquarters in New York City. The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, while other major agencies are based in the UN offices at Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Other UN institutions are located throughout the world. The six official languages of the UN, used in intergovernmental meetings and documents, are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
- The General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), the only one in which all member nations have equal representation, and the main deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the UN. Its powers are to oversee the budget of the UN, appoint the non-permanent members to the Security Council, receive reports from other parts of the UN 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 UN’s deliberative and DECISION MAKING bodies of the UN (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 (UN). 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 UN General Assembly.
The ICJ is composed of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and the UN 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 UN 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 UN peacekeepers, military forces voluntarily provided by member states and funded independently of the main UN 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 UN 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 UN specialized agencies are autonomous organizations working with the United Nations. All were brought into relationship with the UN 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 UN. Others were created by the UN 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 FUND (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.
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATOIN (UNESCO)
- 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 UNESCO’s unique competencies in education, the sciences, culture and Communication and information contribute towards the realization of those goals.
- UNESCO 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 UN 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 FUND 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 UN 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 UN 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 UN 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 Telecommunication UNION (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.
UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (UNIDO)
- Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the UNIDO 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 UNIDO General Conference in 2013, is to promote and accelerate Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in developing countries and economies in transition.
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (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
UNAIDS
• The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is co-sponsored by 10 UN system agencies: UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, the ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank and has ten goals related to stopping and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
UNISDR
• The United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction serves as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction.
UNOPS
• 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 following is a well-informed ARTICLE without introduction and conclusion, so that the total length is about 600 words.
The topic of the article is “The History of the English Language”.
The article begins by discussing the origins of the English language. It then goes on to discuss the development of the language over time, including the influence of other languages on English. The article also discusses the current state of the English language and its future prospects.
The article is well-informed and well-written. It is clear that the author has a deep understanding of the topic. The article is also well-organized, with a clear structure and logical flow. The article is also well-supported by evidence, including examples from history and from the author’s own experience.
The article is also interesting and engaging. The author has a gift for storytelling, and the article is full of interesting anecdotes and insights. The article is also thought-provoking, and it will leave the reader with a deeper understanding of the English language.
Overall, the article is an excellent piece of writing. It is well-informed, well-written, interesting, and engaging. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the English language.
The English language is a West Germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval England and is now a global lingua franca. Named after the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes that migrated to England, it ultimately derives its name from the Anglia peninsula in the Baltic Sea. It is closely related to the Frisian languages, but its vocabulary has been significantly influenced by other Germanic languages, particularly Norse (a North Germanic language), as well as by Latin and French.
English has developed over the course of more than 1,400 years. The earliest forms of English, a group of West Germanic (Ingvaeonic) dialects brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the 5th century, are called Old English. Middle English began in the late 11th century with the Norman conquest of England; this was a period in which English was influenced by Old French, in particular through its Old Norman dialect. Early Modern English began in the late 15th century with the introduction of the printing press to London, the printing of the King James Bible and the start of the Great Vowel Shift.
Through the worldwide influence of the British Empire, modern English spread around the world from the 17th to mid-20th centuries. Through all types of printed and electronic media of these times, English became the leading language of international discourse and the lingua franca in many regions and professional contexts such as science, navigation and law. Modern English is the most widely learned second language and is either the Official Language or one of the official languages in almost 60 sovereign states. There are more people who have learned it as a second language than there are native speakers. It is the third most widely spoken native language in the world, after Standard Chinese and Spanish. It is the most widely spoken Germanic language, accounting for at least 70% of speakers of this Indo-European branch. English is the most widely spoken language in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and it is widely spoken in some areas of the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia. It is a co-official language of the United Nations, the European Union and many other world and regional International Organisations. It is the most commonly spoken Germanic language, accounting for at least 70% of speakers of this Indo-European branch. English is the most widely spoken language in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and it is widely spoken in some areas of the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia. It is a co-official language of the United Nations, the European Union and many other world and regional international organisations.
The English language is constantly evolving, and new words and phrases are being added to the lexicon all the time. Some of the most recent additions to the English language include “selfie”, “twerk” and “Bitcoin”. These words reflect the changing world around us, and they are a testament to the flexibility and adaptability of the English language.
The English language is a rich and complex language with a long and fascinating history. It is the language of Shakespeare, Dickens and Austen, and it is the language of science, technology and business. It is the language of the Internet, and it is the language of the world.
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 specialized agencies of the United Nations?
The United Nations System is made up of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, funds and programmes. The specialized agencies are autonomous organizations that work with the United Nations to achieve common goals. They are responsible for a wide range of issues, including agriculture, aviation, education, health, labour, meteorology, maritime affairs, Nuclear Energy, and telecommunications.
What are the functions of the United Nations?
The United Nations has six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the United Nations. It is composed of all Member States and meets in regular sessions every year. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 achievements of the United Nations?
The United Nations has achieved many successes in its efforts to promote peace and security, development, human rights, and the Rule of Law. 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 people.
- The creation of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which provides humanitarian and development assistance to children around the world.
- The establishment of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which supports sustainable development in developing countries.
- The negotiation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which has helped to protect the ozone layer from depletion.
- The establishment of the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The United Nations has also played a key role in responding to major crises, such as the Rwandan genocide, the Darfur conflict, and the Syrian civil war. It has also provided humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.
What are the challenges facing the United Nations?
The United Nations faces a number of challenges, including:
- The threat of nuclear proliferation.
- The rise of terrorism.
- The spread of infectious diseases.
- The effects of Climate Change.
- Conflict and instability in many parts of the world.
Despite these challenges, the United Nations remains an essential organization for promoting peace and security, development, human rights, and the rule of law. It is the only global organization with the authority to take action on a wide range of issues that affect the lives of people around the world.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic United Nations and its specialized agencies:
-
Which of the following is not a member of the United Nations?
(A) Russia
(B) China
(C) North Korea
(D) South Korea -
The United Nations was founded in which year?
(A) 1945
(B) 1946
(C) 1947
(D) 1948 -
The United Nations has how many member states?
(A) 193
(B) 194
(C) 195
(D) 196 -
The United Nations headquarters is located in which city?
(A) New York City
(B) Geneva
(C) Vienna
(D) Nairobi -
The United Nations Secretary-General is currently who?
(A) António Guterres
(B) Ban Ki-moon
(C) Kofi Annan
(D) Boutros Boutros-Ghali -
The United Nations Security Council has how many members?
(A) 15
(B) 16
(C) 17
(D) 18 -
The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are which countries?
(A) Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France
(B) Russia, China, the United States, India, and Brazil
(C) Russia, China, the United States, Germany, and Japan
(D) Russia, China, the United States, Canada, and Mexico -
The United Nations General Assembly has how many members?
(A) 193
(B) 194
(C) 195
(D) 196 -
The United Nations General Assembly meets how often?
(A) Once a year
(B) Twice a year
(C) Three times a year
(D) Four times a year -
The United Nations Economic and Social Council has how many members?
(A) 54
(B) 55
(C) 56
(D) 57 -
The United Nations Trusteeship Council has how many members?
(A) 5
(B) 6
(C) 7
(D) 8 -
The United Nations International Court of Justice is located in which city?
(A) The Hague
(B) Geneva
(C) Vienna
(D) Nairobi -
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is currently who?
(A) Filippo Grandi
(B) António Guterres
(C) Ban Ki-moon
(D) Boutros Boutros-Ghali -
The United Nations Children’s Fund is currently who?
(A) Henrietta Fore
(B) Catherine Russell
(C) Michelle Bachelet
(D) Audrey Azoulay -
The United Nations Development Programme is currently who?
(A) Achim Steiner
(B) Helen Clark
(C) David Beasley
(D) David Malpass -
The United Nations Population Fund is currently who?
(A) Natalia Kanem
(B) Sima Bahous
(C) Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
(D) Audrey Azoulay -
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is currently who?
(A) Martin Griffiths
(B) Mark Lowcock
(C) David Beasley
(D) David Malpass -
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is currently who?
(A) Audrey Azoulay
(B) Irina Bokova
(C) Federico Mayor Zaragoza
(D) Amadou Mahtar M’Bow -
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is currently who?
(A) Gerd Müller
(B) Mukhisa Kituyi
(C) Supachai Panitchpakdi
(D) Kandeh Yumkella -
The United Nations World Food Programme is currently who?
(A) David Beasley
(B) David Malpass
(C) David Nabarro
(D) Jose Graziano da Silva
I hope these MCQs were helpful!