United Nations: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} | ||
{{ | {{United Nations}} | ||
The '''United Nations''' ('''UN''') is an intergovernmental organization | The '''United Nations''' ('''UN''') is an intergovernmental organization established on 24 October 1945 to promote international cooperation and maintain international order. It was a replacement for the ineffective [[League of Nations]], which had been created after [[World War I]] to prevent another such conflict. At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Emperor_Haile_Selassie_League_of_Nations_speech.png|thumb|left|Emperor Haile Selassie at the League of Nations]] | |||
The concept of the United Nations was born during [[World War II]]. The term "United Nations" was first used by [[United States]] President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in the [[Declaration by United Nations]] on 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. | |||
===Founding | ===Founding=== | ||
[[File:United_Nations_organization_sketch_by_Franklin_Roosevelt_with_the_Four_Policemen_in_1943.jpg|thumb|right|Sketch by Franklin Roosevelt]] | |||
The UN was established after the [[San Francisco Conference]], which took place from 25 April to 26 June 1945. The conference was attended by 50 governments and a number of non-governmental organizations involved in drafting the [[United Nations Charter]]. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by the five permanent members of the [[United Nations Security Council]]—the [[Republic of China]], [[France]], the [[Soviet Union]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]—and by a majority of the other 46 signatories. | |||
=== | ===Early Years=== | ||
The UN's first major test was the [[Korean War]], where it authorized a military intervention to repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea. The UN also played a significant role in the decolonization process, helping many countries in Africa and Asia gain independence. | |||
==Structure== | ==Structure== | ||
The | The UN system is based on five principal organs: | ||
* The [[United Nations General Assembly]] | * The [[United Nations General Assembly]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 24: | ||
* The [[International Court of Justice]] | * The [[International Court of Justice]] | ||
===General Assembly=== | |||
The General Assembly is the main deliberative assembly of the UN. Composed of all member states, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues. | |||
===Security Council=== | |||
The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security among countries. While other organs of the UN can only make "recommendations" to member states, the Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that member states have agreed to carry out. | |||
===Secretariat=== | |||
[[File:Dag_Hammarskj ld.jpg|thumb|left|Dag Hammarskjöld, second Secretary-General]] | |||
The Secretariat is headed by the [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]], who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Secretariat provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN. | |||
==Notable Secretaries-General== | |||
[[File:Kofi_Annan_2012_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Kofi Annan, seventh Secretary-General]] | |||
The UN has had several notable Secretaries-General, including: | |||
* [[Dag Hammarskjöld]] (1953–1961), who was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] posthumously. | |||
* [[Kofi Annan]] (1997–2006), who was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. | |||
==Membership== | |||
[[File:United_Nations_Member_States-1945.png|thumb|left|UN Member States in 1945]] | |||
Membership in the UN is open to all peace-loving states that accept the obligations contained in the UN Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations. The admission of any such state to membership in the UN will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. | |||
== | ==Activities== | ||
The UN | The UN and its specialized agencies have a wide range of activities, including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and the promotion of sustainable development. | ||
===Peacekeeping | ===Peacekeeping=== | ||
The UN has | The UN has been involved in peacekeeping operations around the world, from the [[Middle East]] to [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. These operations are designed to help countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. | ||
=== | ===Humanitarian Assistance=== | ||
The UN | The UN provides food, shelter, and medical assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and conflicts. | ||
===Development | ===Sustainable Development=== | ||
The UN | The UN is committed to promoting sustainable development through initiatives such as the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDGs), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. | ||
==Related pages== | ==Related pages== | ||
* [[League of Nations]] | |||
* [[International Court of Justice]] | |||
* [[United Nations Security Council]] | * [[United Nations Security Council]] | ||
* [[United Nations General Assembly]] | * [[United Nations General Assembly]] | ||
[[File:UN_Members_Flags2.JPG|thumb|right|Flags of UN member states]] | |||
File:UN_Members_Flags2.JPG| | |||
[[Category:United Nations]] | [[Category:United Nations]] | ||
Revision as of 11:30, 23 March 2025
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established on 24 October 1945 to promote international cooperation and maintain international order. It was a replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, which had been created after World War I to prevent another such conflict. At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193.
History
The concept of the United Nations was born during World War II. The term "United Nations" was first used by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Declaration by United Nations on 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.
Founding
The UN was established after the San Francisco Conference, which took place from 25 April to 26 June 1945. The conference was attended by 50 governments and a number of non-governmental organizations involved in drafting the United Nations Charter. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—the Republic of China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—and by a majority of the other 46 signatories.
Early Years
The UN's first major test was the Korean War, where it authorized a military intervention to repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea. The UN also played a significant role in the decolonization process, helping many countries in Africa and Asia gain independence.
Structure
The UN system is based on five principal organs:
- The United Nations General Assembly
- The United Nations Security Council
- The United Nations Economic and Social Council
- The United Nations Secretariat
- The International Court of Justice
General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative assembly of the UN. Composed of all member states, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues.
Security Council
The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security among countries. While other organs of the UN can only make "recommendations" to member states, the Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that member states have agreed to carry out.
Secretariat
The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Secretariat provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN.
Notable Secretaries-General
.jpg)
The UN has had several notable Secretaries-General, including:
- Dag Hammarskjöld (1953–1961), who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously.
- Kofi Annan (1997–2006), who was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
Membership
Membership in the UN is open to all peace-loving states that accept the obligations contained in the UN Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations. The admission of any such state to membership in the UN will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
Activities
The UN and its specialized agencies have a wide range of activities, including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and the promotion of sustainable development.
Peacekeeping
The UN has been involved in peacekeeping operations around the world, from the Middle East to Africa and Asia. These operations are designed to help countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
Humanitarian Assistance
The UN provides food, shelter, and medical assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and conflicts.
Sustainable Development
The UN is committed to promoting sustainable development through initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
Related pages
- League of Nations
- International Court of Justice
- United Nations Security Council
- United Nations General Assembly
