About the United Nations

About the United Nations UN is an international organisation whose members are sovereign states. It is nearly universal in its membership, jurisdiction and global objectives. It is dedicated primarily to strengthening of international peace and security, adherence to the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples (decolonisation), development of friendly relations between states and international co-operation in resolving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems, including the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. To this end, a wide network of international organisations has been set up. These organisations have the status of UN specialised agencies or fit into the UN system. The headquarters of the UN Secretariat is in New York, while other parts of the system are located all over the world, for instance in Geneva, Vienna, Rome, Nairobi, the Hague, Athens, Tokyo and Copenhagen. The UN was established in 1945, when representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the UN Conference to draw up the United Nations Charter. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories. This day is celebrated as the United Nations Day. Today, the UN numbers 188 Member States. The UN has 6 main bodies: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the Secretariat and the International Court of Justice. These bodies differ in importance, responsibility and decision making authority, which is reflected in their mutual relations. General Assembly General Assembly is the main UN body. All UN Member States are represented in the General Assembly and each Member State has one vote. Decisions on such key issues as international peace and security, admitting new members and the UN budget are decided by two-thirds majority. Other matters are decided by simple majority. In recent years, a special effort has been made to reach decisions through consensus, rather than by taking a formal vote. At its 55th session (2001/2002), the Assembly considered more than 180 different topics, including globalisation, nuclear disarmament, protection of the environment and the consolidation of new democracies. The Assembly cannot force action by any State, but its recommendations are an important indication of world opinion and represent the moral authority of the community of nations. The Assembly holds its annual regular session from September to December. When necessary, it may resume its session or hold a special or emergency session called by the Security Council, majority of Member States, or an individual Member State if other States agree. Regular sessions begin with a general debate, in which Member States express their views on a wide range of matters of international concern. Because of the great number of issues which the Assembly is called upon to consider, it allocates the majority of issues to its six Main Committees. Main Committees of the General Assembly are: First Committee -Disarmament and International Security Committee, Second Committee - Economic and Financial Committee, Third Committee - Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, Fourth Committee - Special Political and Decolonisation Committee, Fifth Committee - Administrative and Budgetary Committee, Sixth Committee - Legal Committee. Security Council The primary responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter of the UN is maintenance of international peace and security. In order to ensure the rights and benefits resulting from membership to all Members, all of them must fulfil the obligations assumed in accordance with the Charter. When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before it, the Council's first action is to recommend to the parties to try and reach agreement by peaceful means. In some cases, the Council itself undertakes investigation and mediation. When a dispute leads to fighting, the Council's first concern is to bring it to an end as soon as possible. It often sends UN peacekeeping forces to help reduce tensions in troubled areas, keep opposing forces apart and create conditions of calm in which peaceful settlements may be sought. The Council may decide on enforcement measures, economic sanctions (such as trade embargoes) or collective military action (Chapter VII of the Charter). In some cases, the Council may authorise its Members to use “all necessary means,” including collective military action, in order to carry out the Council’s decisions. The Council has 15 members - five permanent members (China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States) and 10 elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Each Council member has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of at least nine of the 15 members. Decisions on substantive matters require nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. If a member does not agree with a Council’s decision, may cast a negative vote, which is often referred to as the "veto" power. All 5 permanent members have exercised this right in the past. If a member does not agree with a Council’s decision, but does not wish to block the decision by using a veto, it may abstain from voting. A UN member state that is not a Council member may take part in the discussions that concern it, but does not have the right to vote. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) The Economic and Social Council co-ordinates the work of the 14 UN specialised agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions. Under the UN Charter, ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, economic and social progress, identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems, facilitating international cultural and educational co-operation, and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. ECOSOC is the central forum for debates on international economic and social issues, and the formulation of recommendations in those areas. It plays a key role in strengthening of international co-operation in the field of development. The Council also consults non-governmental organisations, thus forming the link between the UN and the civil society. The Council's 54 members are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms. Croatia was a member for the 2000-2002 period. The Council holds sessions throughout the year. Its main session is held in July, when key economic and social issues are discussed at the ministerial meeting. Since 1998, the Council discussed humanitarian issues as well. Croatia is a member of the Commission on Population and Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Social Development, and the Commission on Human Settlements. In May 2001, Croatia was elected member of the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on Sustainable Development for a three-year term starting January 2002. Functional Commissions The establishing of Functional Commissions is based on Article 68 of the UN Charter stating that the Economic and Social Council “shall set up commissions in economic and social fields and for the promotion of human rights, and such other commissions as may be required for the performance of its functions.” ECOSOC Functional Commissions are: Statistical Commission, Commission on Population and Development, Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Commission on Science and Technology, and Commission on Sustainable Development. Regional Commissions ECOSOC Regional Commissions promote economic development and strengthening of economic relations in its regions - Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Standing Committees ECOSOC Standing Committees include Committee for Programme and Co-ordination, Committee on Human Settlements, Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, and Committee on Negotiations with Intergovernmental Agencies. Expert Bodies ECOSOC Expert Bodies include Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Committee for Development Policy, Meeting of Experts on the United Nations Programme in Public Administration and Finance, Ad Hoc Group of Experts on International Co-operation in Tax Matters, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for Development, and Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. International Court of Justice (ICJ) The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the UN. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It operates under a Statute which is an integral part of the UN Charter. Parties to the Statute are UN Member States, but if the General Assembly so decides, other states may be admitted based on the recommendation by the Security Council. The Court has a dual role: To settle in accordance with international law legal disputes submitted to it by States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised international organs and agencies. The Court decides in accordance with international treaties and conventions in force, international custom, the general principles of law and, as subsidiary means, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. Only Member States may apply to and appear before the Court. Appearance is voluntary, but once accepted, the decisions of the Court must be abided by. Secretariat The Secretariat is the administrative organ of the UN. It services the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programmes and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council to a five-year term. The current Secretary General is Kofi A. Annan, elected in 1997. The duties carried out by the Secretariat are as varied as the problems dealt with by the UN. These range from administering peacekeeping operations to mediating international disputes, from surveying economic and social trends and problems to preparing studies on human rights and sustainable development. The Secretariat also informs the media about the work of the UN, organises international conferences, and interprets speeches and translates documents. The Secretariat has a staff of about 8,900 under the regular budget drawn from some 170 countries. Its headquarters are in New York, but maintains a significant presence in Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna. Trusteeship Council The Trusteeship Council is one of the main organs of the United Nations. Its task is to supervise the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship System. Major goals of the System are the promotion of the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories and their development towards self-government or independence. Due to the fact that the aims of the Trusteeship System have been fulfilled to such an extent that all Trust Territories have attained self-government or independence, either as separate States or by joining neighbouring independent countries, the Trusteeship Council might be dissolved in the near future. UN Family Specialised Agencies are intergovernmental organisations that are, according to the UN Charter, related to the ECOSOC and other UN programs, commissions, committees, and ad hoc and similar bodies. Specialised Agencies are said to be a part of the “UN family”, or the UN system. Co-operation between Specialised Agencies and ECOSOC is based on contracts. Regardless of their connection to ECOSOC, Specialised Agencies are independent organisations and their membership is not limited to the UN Members. Specialised Agencies • International Labour Organisation (ILO) ILO was founded in 1919, along with the League of Nations. Its headquarters are in Geneva. Its main objective is to secure better working conditions and improve workers’ position. Croatia became a member 6 August 1992, and is a member of the ILO administrative body since 2000. • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) FAO was founded in 1943 in Rome. Its objective is to improve nutrition, raise the standards of living and improve agricultural productivity. Croatia became a member 8 November 1993. • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) UNESCO was founded in 1945 in Paris. Its main objective is to improve international co-operation in the field of education, science and culture. Croatia became a member 1 June 1992. • World Health Organisation (WHO) WHO was founded in 1947 in Geneva. Its objective is to raise the health level in all countries of the world. Croatia became a member 23 June 1992. • World Bank The World Bank includes 5 institutions: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), founded in 1945, International Finance Corporation (IFC), founded in 1956, International Development Association (IDA), founded in 1960 – Croatia became a member of these institutions 25 February 1993 – Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). All 5 institutions have the same objective of reducing poverty and improving the standard of living through enhancing sustainable economic development. The WTO headquarters are in Washington. • International Monetary Fund (IMF) IMF was established in 1944 at the UN conference in Bretton Woods (US). Its objective is to promote international monetary co-operation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements, foster economic growth and high levels of employment, and provide financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment. Croatia became a member 14 December 1992. • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) ICAO was established in 1944 in Montreal. Its task is to facilitate the development of civil air travel. Croatia is a member since 9 May 1992. • Universal Postal Union (ITO) ITO was founded in 1874 in Bern, and became a Specialised Agency of the UN in 1948. Its objective is to create a unique postal area in the EU. Croatia became a member 3 June 1992. • International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ITU was established in 1864 in Geneva. Its goal is to improve co-operation in the field of telecommunications. Croatia is a member since 3 June 1992. • World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) WMO was founded in 1950 in Geneva. Its objective is to improve international co-operation in the field of meteorology. Regional meteorological associations also exist. Their task is to promote regional co-operation between meteorological services. Croatia became a member 8 November 1992. • International Maritime Organisation (IMO) IMO was established in 1948 in London with the objective of facilitating the exchange of information and other forms of co-operation in the field of maritime affairs. Croatia is a member since 8 July 1992. • World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) WIPO was founded 1967 in Geneva. Its task is to protect intellectual property and accelerate industrial and cultural development by stimulating creative activities, facilitating technology transfer, and the distribution of literary and art pieces. WIPO headquarters are in Geneva. Croatia is a member since 8 October 1991. • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) IFAD was established in 1977 with the aim of mobilising resources to improve nutrition and combat hunger and rural poverty in developing countries. Croatia enjoys observer status. • United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) UNIDO was founded in Vienna 1967, and became a specialised UN agency in 1987. Its goal is to create conditions for industrial development in developing countries and raise funds from the donations by developed countries. Croatia became a member 2 June 1992. Since 1999, Croatia is a member of the UNIDO Board for Industrial Development. • World Trade Organisation (WTO) WTO developed from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1995. The WTO is the only international organisation dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Its headquarters are in Geneva. Croatia became a member July 2000. • World Tourist Organisation WTO was established 1975 in Madrid with the purpose of promoting and developing tourism. Croatia is a member since 4 October 1993. Programmes and other entities United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) UNRWA runs an aid programme for Palestine refugees in co-operation with the local government. Its headquarters are in Vienna. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) IAEA is an intergovernmental organisation under the UN that serves as the world's forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) INSTRAW in an independent UN body tha aim of which is to advance women through research, training and information spreading. Its headquarters are in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) UNCTAD promotes international trade, in particular between countries at different stages in development, to facilitate the econimic development of undeveloped countries. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) UNDP is the largest UN programme launched to facilitate development of undeveloped countries through financial and technical aid. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) UNEP promotes international co-operation and recommends environment protection policy. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) UNHCR leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its headquarters are in Geneva. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) UNICEF’s task is to help children living in poverty in developing countries, helps them get the care and stimulation they need in the early years of life, strives to reduce childhood death and illness and protects children and their rights by providing services and supplies and by helping shape policy agendas and budgets in the best interests of children. Its headquarters are in New York. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) UNFPA supports developing countries to improve access to and the quality of reproductive health care, particularly family planning, safe motherhood, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Its headquarters are in New York. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) UNITAR was established in 1965 as an autonomous body within the UN with the purpose of enhancing its effectiveness through appropriate training and research. UNITAR’s two main activities are training in international affairs management and training, and capacity building in economic and social development. United Nations University (UNU) UNU was established with the purpose of teaching students and researchers about universal human values, new directions in global economy, technological and scientific progress, population dynamics and social care. The University is situated in Tokyo. World Food Council (WFC) WFC informs the UN General Assembly about the major world problems concerning nutrition, with the aim of finding a common solution. Its headquarters are in Rome. Treaty Bodies Various committees have been set up with the purpose of monitoring the implementation of international agreements. They report about their activities to the UN General Assembly. These committees include Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Human Rights Committee, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Committee Against Torture and Children’s Rights Committee.

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