United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, and human rights issues. It was founded in 1945 at the signing of the United Nations Charter by 50 countries, replacing the League of Nations, founded in 1919. The UN was founded after the end of World War II by the victorious Allied Powers in the hope that it would act to intervene in conflicts between nations and thereby avoid war. The organization's structure still reflects in some ways the circumstances of its founding. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, each of which has veto power on any UN resolution, are the main victors of World War II or their successor states: People's Republic of China (which replaced the Republic of China), the French Republic, the Russian Federation (which replaced the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. As of 2019, there are 193 United Nations member states, encompassing almost every recognized independent state. From its headquarters in New York City, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout each year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, including the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), which has just commemorated its 100th Anniversary and is the recipient of two Nobel Peace Prizes, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The UN's most visible public figure is the Secretary-General who acts as the spokesperson and head of the United Nations Secretariat. The current Secretary-General is Antonio Guterres, who took office on the 1st of January 2017.
Principal Organs of the United Nations
UN General Assembly
-of all UN Member States-
- May adopt non-compulsory recommendations to States or suggestions to the Security Council (UNSC);
- Decides on the admission of new members, following proposal by the UNSC;
- Adopts the budget;
- Elects the non-permanent members of the UNSC; all members of ECOSOC; the UN Secretary-General (following his/her proposal by the UNSC); and the fifteen judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Each country has one vote.
UN Secretariat
-Administrative organ of the UN-
- Supports the other UN bodies administratively (for example, in the organization of conferences, the writing of reports and studies and the preparation of the budget);
- Its chairperson – the UN Secretary-General – is elected by the General Assembly for a five-year mandate and is the UN's foremost representative.
International Court of Justice
-Universal court for international law-
- Decides disputes between States that recognize its jurisdiction;
- Issues legal opinions;
- Renders judgement by relative majority. Its fifteen judges are elected by the UN General Assembly for nine-year terms.
UN Security Council
-For international security issues-
- Responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security;
- May adopt compulsory resolutions;
- Has fifteen members: five permanent members with veto power and ten elected members.
UN Economic and Social Council
-For global economic. environmental and social affairs-
- Responsible for co-operation between States as regards economic and social matters;
- Co-ordinates co-operation between the UN's numerous specialized agencies;
- Has 54 members, elected by the General Assembly to serve staggered three-year mandates.
UN Trusteeship Council
-For administering trust territories (currently inactive)-
- Was originally designed to manage colonial possessions that were former League of Nations mandates;
- Has been inactive since 1994, when Palau, the last trust territory, attained independence.
SDG
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by United Nations (UN).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states in 2015. It serves as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by the year 2030. At its core are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of interconnected targets covering a wide range of economic, social, and environmental issues.
The 17 SDGs are as follows:
1. No Poverty: End poverty in all forms and ensure equal rights to social protection.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure clean water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and clean energy.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, foster innovation, and promote sustainable industrialization.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build strong institutions.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize global partnerships for sustainable development.
These 17 goals aim to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Each goal has specific targets and indicators to track progress and ensure accountability. The 2030 Agenda emphasizes the importance of leaving no one behind and achieving sustainable development in an inclusive and integrated manner.
- The UN and its member states, along with various stakeholders including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, are working together to implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs. This involves mobilizing resources, promoting policy coherence, fostering partnerships, and engaging in capacity-building efforts at the national, regional, and global levels. The goal is to create a more sustainable and equitable world for present and future generations.