The United Nations and

Contemporary Global Governance

 The study of the contemporary world
is not just about the globalization of
The Global economy but also of governance. With
the emergence of the study of

Interstate international relations, interactions

among various actors in international

System
stage have become relevant in the
academic realm.
The expanding of these interactions
paved the way to the phenomenon
known as internationalization.
WHAT IS GLOBAL GOVERNANCE?
Global governance is the sum of laws, norms,
policies, and institutions that define, constitute and
mediate trans-border relations between states,
cultures, citizens, intergovernmental and non-
governmental organizations and the market-the
wielders and the object of the exercise of
international public order. (Weiss and Thakur, 2010
as cited by Saluba, et. al, 2018:75)
International organizations are
institutions with formal
procedure and a membership
comprising three or more

WHAT ARE
states. They are characterized
by rules that seek to regulate
the relations amongst member
states and by a formal structure
that implements and enforces
INTERNATIONAL
these rules. (Heywood, 2011 as
cited by Saluba, et. al, 2018:76) ORGANIZATIONS?
CONTENTS OF THIS
TEMPLATE
1. 1. To maintain international peace and
security, and to that end: to take effective
collective measures for the prevention and
removal of threats to the peace, and for the
suppression of acts of aggression or other
breaches of the peace, and to bring about
The United Nations and
by peaceful means, and in conformity with
the principles of justice and international
Contemporary Global
law, adjustment or settlement of Governance
international disputes or situations which
might lead to a breach of the peace;

2. 2. To develop friendly relations among

nations based on respect for the principle
of equal rights and self-determination of
peoples, and to take other appropriate
measures to strengthen universal peace;
 3. To achieve international cooperation in
solving international problems of an
economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian
character, and in promoting and
encouraging respect for human rights and
for fundamental freedoms for all without
The United Nations and distinction as to race, sex, language, or
religion; and
Contemporary Global
Governance 4. To be a center for harmonizing the
actions of nations in the attainment of these
common ends.
1. 1. General Assembly - is the main
deliberative, policymaking and
representative organ of the UN.
2. 2. Security Council - has primary
responsibility, under the UN Charter,
for the maintenance of international
peace and security.

3. 3. Economic and Social Council - is the

principal body for coordination, policy The United Nations is
review, policy dialogue and
recommendations on economic, social composed of principal
and environmental issues, as well as
implementation of internationally organs.
agreed development goals.
 4. Secretariat - comprises the
The United Nations is Secretary-General and tens
thousands of international UN staff
of

composed of principal members who carry out the day-to-day

work of the UN as mandated by the
organs. General Assembly and the
Organization's other principal organs.

5. International Court of Justice - is

the principal judicial organ of the
United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace
Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). It is
the only one of the six principal organs
of the United Nations not located in
New York (United States of America).
6. Trusteeship Council- was established in 1945 by the UN Charter,
under Chapter XIII, to provide international supervision for 11 Trust
Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven
Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare
the Territories for self-government and independence. By 1994, all
Trust Territories had attained self-government or independence. The
Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994.
 In the GA, all members are
THE GENERAL represented. It has plenary powers
in the sense that “it may discuss
ASSEMBLY. any question or any matters within
the scope of the Charter.

The GA distinguishes between

“important questions” and “other
questions”. “Important questions”
are decided by two-thirds majority
of the members voting and
present. “Other questions” require
only a majority.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council “has primary
responsibility for the maintenance
of international peace and order.
There are fifteen member states,
five of them are permanent (China,
United States, Russia, United
Kingdom and France).

The others are elected for two years

in accordance with equitable
geographic representation.
The ECOSOC has 54 member states
elected for three year terms. It has
a large number of subsidiary
ECONOMIC AND
organs, among them the UN
Commissioner on Human Rights SOCIAL COUNCIL
and the Commission on the Status
of Women.
 THE SECRETARIAT
The Secretariat “shall comprise a Secretary General and
such staff as the Organization may require. The
Secretary General is elected to a five year term by the
GA upon the recommendation of the SC, subject to
veto power.

He is the chief administrator of the organization and

has the power “to bring to the attention of the Security
Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten
the maintenance of international peace and security.
The UN’s principal organ is the ICJ. It
is the successor of the PCIJ
established by the League of Nations.
INTERNATIONAL
All members of the UN are ipso facto
parties to the Statute of the ICJ. COURT OF
Being A party to the Statute, does not
mean acceptance of the jurisdiction of
JUSTICE
the Court. It simply means that the
state may acquire jurisdiction of the
court. The Statute opens the court’s
door to member states. Only states
may be parties in the court.
Trusteeship The Trusteeship Council supervises
non-self governing territories. Its

council
jurisdiction has already become very
limited. Palau was the last territory to
be under the Council. The Council
suspended operations after Palau
became independent on 1 October
1994.
Reference:
Lopez, Dan Jefferson (2020) The Contemporary World Module. Lyceum of the
Philippines University Cavite
Claudio and Abinales (2018). The Contemporary World. C&E Publishing
Bernas, Joaquin G. (2009). Introduction to Public International Law. Rex Book
Store
Prepared by:
Victoria Isabel D. Chavez
Faculty Member, College of Arts and Sciences
Law Student, Juris Doctor Degree (Bachelor of Laws)
Secretary, Law Student Government (LPU COL–LSG)