United Nations Organisation

Circumstances Surrounding the Establishing of the United Nations:

1.
2.
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4.

Fear of Death and Destruction

The most terrifying Weapons
Failure of the League of Nations
Building a Durable Structure of Peace and Security in the World

Milestones in the Formation of the United Nations:

The London Declaration:
In June 1941 the representation of Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and
South Africa met in London and South Africa met in London and proposed for the
first time to establish an effective organization to maintain international peace
and security.
The Atlantic Charter:
The signatories to the Charter were required to observe the following principles:
1. They would respect each others sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. They would peacefully settle all disputes without resorting to war.
3. They would encourage cooperation among nations with a view to ensure
economic progress and social security.
4. In order to achieve the desired peace, the nations must reduce armaments
and their armed forces.
The Washington Declaration(1942):
The name United Nations was devised by President Franklin D. Rosevelt.
It was first used when on 1st January, 1942 the representatives of 26 nations
signed the United Nations Declaration at Washington.
The Moscow Declaration:
The first formal decision to establish the United Nations was taken at Moscow in
1943.
Dumberton Oaks Conference(1944):
At this conference draft of the UN Charter was formulated.
The San Francisco Conference and the Birth of the United Nations:
The Conference was attended by the representatives of 50 countries.
The UN Charter was signed by the fifty participating nations on 26 June, the last
day of the Conference.
Poland was allowed to sign on 15th October, 1945 thus raising the number of
original members to 51.

The United Nations:

Membership:
The United Nations started functioning with 51 nations as the Original members.
By the end of October 2006 the total membership had increased to 192.
Switzerland and East Timor joined the United Nations as 190th and 191st Members
in September 2002.
The U.N. Charter makes provision for the admission of new members.
Admissions are made by the General Assembly on the recommendation of
the Security Council.
The Charter also makes provisions for the suspension and expulsion of members
by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council.
Headquarters:
The United Nations has its headquarters in New York City, USA.
The European Office of the U.N. is in Geneva.
Flag:
The flag is light blue in colour and portrayed in white in its centre is the U.N.
Emblem, a polar map of the world embraced by twin olive branches.
Official Languages:
The official languages of the U.N. are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish.
The Objectives and Purposes of the United Nations:

They are as follows:

1. To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
2. To maintain international peace and security and to take effective
measures for removal of threats to the peace.
3. To develop friendly relations among nations and to achieve international
cooperation in the solving problems of economic, social and cultural
character.
4. To establish conditions under which justice and respect for international
law and international treaties can be main-tained.
5. To create faith in human rights and in the dignity and worth of the
human person.
6. To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.
7. To harmonise and coordinate the actions of nations in order to attain the
above aims, objectives and purposes.

Principles of the United Nations:

They are as under:
1. All states are sovereign and equal.
2. The Member-States should fulfill their obligations faithfully.
3. All member should give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes.
4. The Organisation should ensure that States which are not Members of the United
Nations act in accordance with these principles.
Principal Organs of the United Nations:
The General Assembly:
Its Composition
How decisions are taken
The Functions
1. Deliberative Functions
2. Supervisory Functions
3. Financial Functions
4. Electoral Functions
5. Amending the UN Charter
6. Functions under United for Peace Resolution
The Security Council:
Its Composition
How Decisions are taken (Veto Powers)
Powers and Functions:
1. Investigatory Role
2. Pacific Settlement of Disputes
3. Measures not Involving the Use of Armed Force
4. Military Action
5. Trusteeship Functions
6. Admission of New Members
7. Electoral Functions
The International Court of Justice:
Composition
Powers and Functions:
1. Compulsory Jurisdiction
2. Voluntary Jurisdiction
3. Advisory Opinion
4. Codification of International Law

5. Evolving Procedures for Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

Economic and Social Council
Trusteeship Council
The Secretariat