1.0 Introduction
Intergovernmental organizations, also known as international governmental organizations which means a group having members from more than one country, government or non-governmental, profit or non-profit. United Nations (UN) established on October 24, 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining a world with peace and security, appropriate living standards and human rights always be respected, developing friendly relations between nations and promoting social progress. United Nations was the second multipurpose international organization established in the 20th century that was worldwide scope and membership which including nearly every country in the world. Meanwhile, only independent states allowed to become members of the United Nations.
Moreover, the main reason of UN created was the wake of World War II. At the moment, United Nations has 193 member states currently. During 1945, 51 states (including the United Kingdom) signed the United Nations Charter, and became the founding members of the United Nations. United Nations allowed to take any action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century. The powers entrust in its Charter and also its unique international character. For example, peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human right issues, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and so on.
The United Nations Charter is a set of guidelines which explains the rights and responsibilities of member states must be possessed by members. Besides from this Charter, a forum for its members also provided to express their opinion or views in the General Assembly, the security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees. In addition, organization becomes a mechanism for governments to find areas of agreement and solve problems together by enabling dialogue between its members, and by hosting negotiations
United Nations provides an opportunity for the independent states of the world to discuss regarding to global issues which affect them either individually or collectively. The aim of UN is seeking solutions to issues, conflicts and crises in a peaceful manner.
1.1 Main UN Bodies
The main UN bodies are established by the United Nations Charter. Underneath these bodies are many subsidiary organs which are General Assembly, Security Council, the Secretariat, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC’), International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other International Organisations.
1.1.1 General Assembly
The General Assembly is the most important deliberative organ of the United Nations. Its General Assembly composed the representatives of all member states and each of the member states has a vote. Every important decisions made, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, need to require a two-thirds majority of all member states.
However, decisions on other questions are by simple majority instead of a two-thirds majority of all member states. There are three subsidiary organs within the General Assembly. These include the the Peace Building Commission, Disarmament Commission and the Human Rights Council.
1.1.2 Security Council
The Security Council has principal responsibility in order to the maintenance of international peace and security. Another reason to organise as to be able to function continuously, and each of its members of representative must be present at United Nations Headquarters which located in New York City. The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly which means held by each of the members in turn for one month, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member States.
There are five countries become permanent members of the Security Council which are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and as well as United States. There are ten non-permanent members. Non-permanent members are only allowed to serve two-year terms and each country are elected by the General Assembly in regional groups, to ensure that each region is represented.
o
1.1.3 The Secretariat
The Secretariat is the main administrative department of the United Nations. It is leaded by the Secretary-General appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a certain period of five years. The position of Secretary-General can be re-¬elected. Currently, the secretary-General of the United Nations is Ban Ki-moon. He is appointed since 2007 until present.
Secretariat carried out the duties and the problems dealt with by the United Nations. These range of the duties included administering peacekeeping operations, mediating international disputes among few countries, surveying economic and social trends and problems to preparing studies on human rights and promotion of sustainable development.
Secretary-General is allowed to appoint the staff of the Secretariat. The staff are chosen from among the 192 member countries. The Secretary- General holds a critical position in the administration of the affairs of the UN. The main job of Secretary- General are organises conferences, oversees peace¬keeping operations, drafts reports on economic and social trends, reconcile in international disputes among the countries, prepares budget estimates and prepares studies on human rights as well.
It is to be noted that the United Nations can achieve success only if the member states cooperate each other with it. All member countries must comply by the policies and programmes of the United Nations.
1.1.4 Economic and Social Council (‘ECOSOC’)
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the principal body to make coordinating the economic and social work of the United Nation. It is also serviced by the Department for Economic and Social Affairs. The entire family of United Nations organizations works for economic, social and sustainable development.
This is a number of United Nations agencies and programmes work closely together with ECOSOC. Those agencies are all independent organisations, with their own member countries and their own budgets. A lot of United Nations programmes were created by the General Assembly and also work closely with ECOSOC, but it also need to be reported to the General Assembly and/or the Security Council.
The Council's 54 member Governments are elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. Those of the seats on the Council are allotted based on geographical representation with 14 seats allocated to African States, 11 seats to Asian States, 6 seats to Eastern European States, 10 seats to Latin American and Caribbean States, and 13 seats to Western European and other States.
The work of ECOSOC is carried out through Functional and Regional Commissions. Functional Commissions manage some specific issues, whereas Regional Commissions address issues specific to the certain geographic areas and issues. Commissions have working groups and other sections to do research, discuss and doing investigation on problems.
1.1.5 International Court of Justice (‘ICJ’)
The ICJ is not the same as the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’). The ICC handles those cases against individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICJ hears only involving disputes between states.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, was established in June 1945 by the United Nations Charter. ICJ began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is located at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Out of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one which is not located in New York City.
The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes, give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.
There are 15 judges compose the Court, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.