The United Nations

Origin: The United Nations Organisation is an association of states which have pledged themselves to maintain international peace and security and cooperate in solving international political, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems towards achieving this end. The United Nations officially came into existence on Oct. 24,1945, with the deposit of the requisite number of ratifications of the Charter, the constituting instrument of the UN with the US Department

of State. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 Oct. each year. The headquarters of the UNO is in New York. Objects: To maintain international peace and security. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples. To cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these. common ends. Flag : White UN Emblem (two bent olive branches open at the top and in between them in world map) on a light blue background. Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Structure

The United Nations has six principal organs according to the Charter which are indicated as below :

The General Assembly

It consists of all 192 member nations and functions as the main deliberative body. It meets once a year on the third Tuesday of the month of September and session lasts for two weeks. It has the under mentioned aspects : (i) At each session the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-Presidents and Chairmen of the six main committees. For proper geographical representation, the Presidency of the Assembly rotates every year among the five geographical groups–Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other stares. Special session can be called by the Secretary General at the request of the Security Council by the majority of members or of by one member of majority of the members approve of the same. (ii) Decisions on the important questions are taken by the two-third majority. The issues are of the nature of peace and security, new membership and budget. (iii) Decisions on other issues are taken by a simple majority. (iv) The work of the meeting is divided into six main committees as given below : Disarmament and International Security Committee Economic and Financial committee Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee Special Political and Decolonisation Committee Administrative and Budgetary Committee Legal Committee (v) In all the committees, each member state is represented. (vi) There is a general committee which is responsible for the proceedings of the General Assembly and also its committees as well as Credential Committee. (vii) The General Committee is made of 28 members, the President and 21 Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly and Chairmen of six main committees. (viii) The Credential Committee is composed of nine members appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President of each session. (ix) The General. Assembly has two standing Committees as mentioned below : An Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions A Committee on Contributions (x) The General Assembly may establish subsidiary and ad-hoc bodies in order to deal with specific matters. These include the following subject-issues : Committee on Peace Keeping Operations Human Rights Committee Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space Conciliation Commission on Palestine Conference on disarmament International Law Commission Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation Special committee on the Implementation of Declaration of the Granting of Independence of Colonial Countries and Peoples. Commission on International Trade and Law (xi) The General Assembly has the right to decide any issue connected with the Charter . (xii) Excepting those disputes which are on the agenda of the Security Council, the General Assembly has the power to make recommendations over all other issues. (xiii) Recommendations of the General Assembly have no compulsion power on the member state, but the same has the weightage of  world opinion. (xiv) The General Assembly receives reports from the other organs, admits new members, directs activities of development, sets policies and determines programmers for the Secretariat, appoints the Secretary General who submits annual reports on the work of the Assembly and approves the UN Budget. (xiii) Under the resolution 'Uniting for Peace' adopted by the General Assembly in Nov. 1950 the same is empowered to take action in the following cases: In case of threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression the General Assembly steps in if the Security Council fails to exercise its primary responsibility for international peace and security because of lack of unanimity amongst its permanent members. In such a case, General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately and make  recommendation for collective measures by the members. Even the option for use of armed forces for restoration of peace and security can be approved by the General Assembly to meet the challenges of crisis. The Security Council     The UN Charter has entrusted the primary responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security. It is so urgent so as to function continuously. The Security Council thus is authorised to function on the following set up. (i) The Presidency of the Council rotates according to the alphabetical order of the member states. (ii) The Council consists of 15 members, i. e., 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members elected for a two years term by a two-third majority of the General Assembly. (iii) Retiring members are not eligible for immediate re-election. (iv) Any other member of the UN can participate in the discussion on the questions of their interests without any vote. (v) Decisions on procedural issues are made by an affirmative vote of nine members. (vi) Decisions on all other matters must be made by nine affirmative votes, inclusive of all permanent members. (vii) Only in the case of disputes, the affected members abstain from voting. A negative vote from a permanent member has the power of Veto. However, the permanent member can also abstain from voting. (viii) Only in the case of decisions taken by the Security Council which is decisive in nature and is obligatory for compliance on the member states. (ix) The Council has two standing committees as indicated below : Committee of Experts on Rule of Procedure Committee on the Admission of New Members (x) Further, the Council can have also ad-hoc committees and commissions. (xi) When any issue concerning threat to peace is brought before the Council, its first action is to recommend peaceful settlement of the issue by the parties concerned. (xii) In the threat cases the CounciI may undertake mediation, decide threat principles for settlement, enforce decision for cease-fire, economic sanctions, peace-making mission or even collective military action. (xii) In accordance with special agreement for international peace and security, the Council can call on the armed forces, assistance and facilities of the member. Thus the Council may obtain the assistance from the Military Staff Committee, consisting of Chief of Staff of permanent members of the Council or his representatives. (xiii) The Council makes recommendations to the General Assembly for the post of Secretary General. (xiv) The Council with the Assembly elects the Judges of the International Court of Justice. (xv) Permanent members of the Council are: China, France, Russia, UK and USA. (xvi) Non-permanent members are: Algeria, Brazil, Benin, Philippines and Romania (from 1st January, 2004 to 31st December, 2005), Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Greece and Tanjania (from 1st January, 2004 to 31st December, 2006).

 

The Economic and Social Council (ECO-SOC)

It is responsible under the General Assembly for co-ordinating the functions of the UN or the issues of economic, social, cultural, educational, health and other related matters. Round the year the work of the Council is carried out by related organisations, specialised agencies and subsidiary bodies, com- missions and committees. The features of the Council are furnished below : (i) The Council consists of 54 member states which are elected by two-third majority of the General Assembly for a three year term. (ii) Members elected represent the under-mentioned geographical representation : Africa : 14 members Asia: 11 members Eastern Europe : 6 members Latin America and Caribbean : 10 members Western Europe and other states: 13 members (iii) One-third of the member-states retire each year, but the retiring member can seek immediate reelection. (iv) Decisions are taken by a Majority of members present and Vote. (v) The Council holds one four week substantive session in a year alternating between New York and Geneva. (vi) One organisational session is held in New York. (vii) The substantative session is a high level session attended by the Ministers to discuss the following matters : Major economic and social issues (viii) Special session of the Council may also be held, if requisite. (ix) President of the Council is elected for one year and can also seek immediate re-election. (x) ECO-SOC has the under-mentioned subsidiary machinery. Nine functional commissions, Statistical Commission, Commission on Population and Development, Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights and Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Narcotic Drugs and Sub-Commission on ll1icit Drug Traffic and Related Matters in the Near and Middle East, Commission on Service and Technology for Development, Commission on Crime Prevention Criminal Justice, and Commission on Sustainable Development. (xi) Five Regional Economic Commissions: Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa and Ethiopia (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, Bangkok and Thailand (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Santiago, Chile (ECLAC), Economic Commission for Western Asia, Beirut and Lebanon (ESCWA). (xii) Nine Standing Committees and subsidiary expert bodies: Committee for Programme and Co-ordination, Commission on Human Settlements, Committee on Non-Government Organizations, Committee on Natural Resources, Committee for Development Planning, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development, Ad-hoc Group of Experts on International Co- operation in Tax Matters, Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. (xiii) Other related operational programmes, Funds and Special Bodies are : United Nations Children Fund Office of the UN High commission for Refugees UN Conference on Trade and Development UN Development Programme World Food Programme International Research and Training Institution for the Advancement of women UN International Drug Control Programme (xiv) The Council may also carry out consultations with international, non-governmental organizations, member concerned and with national organizations to make arrangements. Over 1,000 non-governmental organizations have consultation status with the Council. Subsidary bodies may also consult with the UN Secretariat on matters of mutual concern.

The Trusteeship Council

It was formed with the purpose that governments responsible for administering trust territories take necessary and sufficient measures so as to prepare them for self- government or independence. Other aspects are given below : The Council comprises of five permanent members of the Security Council.   The task of decolonization ended in 1994 when the Security Council terminated the trusteeship agreement for the last independence of the organised UN trusteeship area (Palau) administered by the USA.   All trust territories attained self-government or independence.   The Council suspended its operations on 1st Nov., 1994   UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, proposed in July , 1997 that the Council should be used as a forum to exercise their trusteeship for the global, commons and environment and resources system.

The International Court of Justice

It is the principal judicial organ of the UN. It has the final roles : To settle the legal disputes submitted to it by the states in accordance with international law.   To give advisory opinion on legal questions referred to by UN and its specialised agencies.   The other parameters associated with the Court are enumerated below :   The Court operates under a statue which is based on the UN Charter.   All the UN member states are, perse, members of the statute of the Court.   The court is composed of 15 Judges, each of a different nationality. Each Judge is elected by both the General Assembly and Security Council for a nine-year term on an absolute majority and they may be re-elected.   Composition of the Court reflects main forms of civilisation and principal legal systems all through the world.   Judges do not represent their respective governments and sit independenly the Court.   The Judges should, however, possess requisite qualifications for appointment as Judges in their countries to be competent Jurists of international law.   Permanent Court of Arbitration has national panel of justice which nominates the candidates.   The Court elects its own President and Vice-President for a three year term and may be re-elected. It is permanently in session.   Majority of Judges present to take decisions subject to a quorum of nine Judges. President has a casting vote.   Judgement is final and without any appeal.   On the basis of new decision farther, revision of the judgement may be applied for within 10 years from the date of judgement.   In case the Court does not appoint a Judge of the same nationality of the state which is a party to the issue before the Court, the state shall have a right to appoint a person to sit as a Judge as an ad-hoc who will have the same status along with other sitting judges of the Court.   When the Court is in plenary sessions, the same can form chambers of 3 or 4 judges to deal with specific matters. Such decisions taken in the chambers are treated as if taken by the full Court.   In view of expansion of global scope of environmental law and protection, a seven-member permanent chamber has been formed by the Court in 1993 for environmental matters.   For contentious cases, only parties who are members of the statute, are eligible to apply or appear before the Court.   Other members who are not party to the statute, have to satisfy the conditions laid down by the Security Council for the intervention of the Court.   All matters which parties refer to the Court or provided in the UN Charter or in treaties and conventions comes under the jurisdiction of the Court.   Decision by the Court on the dispute for its jurisdiction is final.   For making decisions, the Court may consider the following aspects : International conventions International custom The general principle of law recognised by the nations. Subsidiary means for determination of the rules of law, judicial decision and teachings of highly qualified publicists. If parties agree the Court may decide a case are aequo et bona.   Advisory opinions on legal questions to the General Assembly, the Security Council, certain other organs of the UN and 16-specialist agencies of the UN family can be given by the Court.   Since 1946, the Court has delivered the following judgements : 74 judgements on dispute relating to inter-alia land frontiers and maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty non-use of forces, non-interference in the internal affairs of the states, diplomatic relations hostage taking, the right of asylum, nationality, guardianship, rights of passage and economic rights.

Secretary General of the UN

Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea Since January 1, 2006     – Biography

Kofi A. Annan of Ghana 1997–December 31, 2006

Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt (1992–1996)

Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru (1982–1991)

Kurt Waldheim of Austria (1972–1981)

U. Thant of Myanmar (1961–1971)

Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden (April 7, 1953–1961), who worked till his death on September 17, 1961.

Trygve Lie (Norway) of Norway, who worked since 1946 till 1952, was the first Secretary General.

 

United Nations Member States

These are the 192 Member States of the United Nations with dates on which they joined the Organization, following the admission Montenegro on 28 June 2006:

Member Date of Admission Afghanistan 19 November 1946 Albania 14 December 1955 Algeria 8 October 1962 Andorra 28 July 1993 Angola 1 December 1976 Antigua and Barbuda 11 November 1981 Argentina 24 October 1945 Armenia 2 March 1992 Australia 1 November 1945 Austria 14 December 1955 Azerbaijan 2 March 1992 Bahamas 18 September 1973 Bahrain 21 September 1971 Bangladesh 17 September 1974 Barbados 9 December 1966 Belarus [1] 24 October 1945 Belgium 27 December 1945 Belize 25 September 1981 Benin 20 September 1960 Bhutan 21 September 1971 Bolivia 14 November 1945 Bosnia and Herzegovina [2] 22 May 1992 Botswana 17 October 1966 Brazil 24 October 1945 Brunei Darussalam 21 September 1984 Bulgaria 14 December 1955 Burkina Faso 20 September 1960 Burundi 18 September 1962 Cambodia 14 December 1955 Cameroon 20 September 1960 Canada 9 November 1945 Cape Verde 16 September 1975 Central African Republic 20 September 1960 Chad 20 September 1960 Chile 24 October 1945 China 24 October 1945 Colombia 5 November 1945 Comoros 12 November 1975 Congo (Republic of the) 20 September 1960 Costa Rica 2 November 1945 Côte d'Ivoire 20 September 1960 Croatia [3] 22 May 1992 Cuba  24 October 1945  Cyprus 20 September 1960 Czech Republic [4] 19 January 1993 Democratic People's Republic of Korea 17 September 1991 Democratic Republic of the Congo [5] 20 September 1960 Denmark 24 October 1945 Djibouti 20 September 1977 Dominica 18 December 1978 Dominican Republic 24 October 1945 Ecuador 21 December 1945 Egypt [6] 24 October 1945 El Salvador 24 October 1945 Equatorial Guinea 12 November 1968 Eritrea 28 May 1993 Estonia 17 September 1991 Ethiopia 13 November 1945 Fiji 13 October 1970 Finland 14 December 1955 France 24 October 1945 Gabon 20 September 1960 Gambia 21 September 1965 Georgia 31 July 1992 Germany [7] 18 September 1973 Ghana 8 March 1957 Greece 25 October 1945 Grenada 17 September 1974 Guatemala 21 November 1945 Guinea 12 December 1958 Guinea-Bissau 17 September 1974 Guyana 20 September 1966 Haiti 24 October 1945 Honduras 17 December 1945 Hungary 14 December 1955 Iceland  19 November 1946  India  30 October 1945  Indonesia [8] 28 September 1950 Iran 24 October 1945 Iraq 21 December 1945 Ireland 14 December 1955 Israel 11 May 1949 Italy 14 December 1955 Jamaica 18 September 1962 Japan 18 December 1956 Jordan 14 December 1955 Kazakhstan 2 March 1992 Kenya 16 December 1963 Kiribati 14 September 1999 Kuwait 14 May 1963 Kyrgyzstan 2 March 1992 Lao People's Democratic Republic 14 December 1955 Latvia 17 September 1991 Lebanon 24 October 1945 Lesotho 17 October 1966 Liberia 2 November 1945 Libya 14 December 1955 Liechtenstein 18 September 1990 Lithuania 17 September 1991 Luxembourg 24 October 1945 Madagascar 20 September 1960 Malawi 1 December 1964 Malaysia [9] 17 September 1957 Maldives 21 September 1965 Mali 28 September 1960 Malta 1 December 1964 Marshall Islands 17 September 1991 Mauritania 27 October 1961 Mauritius 24 April 1968 Mexico 7 November 1945 Micronesia (Federated States of) 17 September 1991 Monaco 28 May 1993 Mongolia 27 October 1961 Montenegro [10] 28 June 2006 Morocco 12 November 1956 Mozambique 16 September 1975 Myanmar 19 April 1948 Namibia 23 April 1990 Nauru 14 September 1999 Nepal 14 December 1955 Netherlands 10 December 1945 New Zealand 24 October 1945 Nicaragua 24 October 1945 Niger 20 September 1960 Nigeria 7 October 1960 Norway 27 November 1945 Oman 7 October 1971 Pakistan 30 September 1947 Palau 15 December 1994 Panama 13 November 1945 Papua New Guinea 10 October 1975 Paraguay 24 October 1945 Peru 31 October 1945 Philippines 24 October 1945 Poland 24 October 1945 Portugal 14 December 1955 Qatar 21 September 1971 Republic of Korea 17 September 1991 Republic of Moldova 2 March 1992 Romania 14 December 1955 Russian Federation [11] 24 October 1945 Rwanda 18 September 1962 Saint Kitts and Nevis 23 September 1983 Saint Lucia 18 September 1979 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16 September 1980 Samoa 15 December 1976 San Marino 2 March 1992 Sao Tome and Principe 16 September 1975 Saudi Arabia 24 October 1945 Senegal 28 September 1960 Serbia [12] 1 November 2000 Seychelles 21 September 1976 Sierra Leone 27 September 1961 Singapore 21 September 1965 Slovakia [13] 19 January 1993 Slovenia [14] 22 May 1992  Solomon Islands  19 September 1978  Somalia 20 September 1960 South Africa 7 November 1945 Spain 14 December 1955 Sri Lanka 14 December 1955 Sudan 12 November 1956 Suriname 4 December 1975 Swaziland 24 September 1968 Switzerland 10 September 2002 Sweden 19 November 1946 Syria [15] 24 October 1945 Tajikistan 2 March 1992 Thailand 16 December 1946 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [16] 8 April 1993 Timor Leste 27 September 2002 Togo 20 September 1960 Tonga  14 September 1999  Trinidad and Tobago 18 September 1962 Tunisia 12 November 1956 Turkey 24 October 1945 Turkmenistan  2 March 1992  Tuvalu 5 September 2000 Uganda 25 October 1962 Ukraine 24 October 1945 United Arab Emirates 9 December 1971 United Kingdom 24 October 1945 United of Republic of Tanzania [17] 14 December 1961 United States 24 October 1945 Uruguay 18 December 1945 Uzbekistan 2 March 1992 Vanuatu 15 September 1981 Venezuela 15 November 1945 Viet Nam 20 September 1977 Yemen [18] 30 September 1947 Zambia 1 December 1964 Zimbabwe 25 August 1980

[1]    On 19 September 1991, Byelorussia informed the United Nations that it had changed its name to Belarus. [2]    The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. [3]    The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992. [4]    Czechoslovakia was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945.  In a letter dated 10 December 1992, its Permanent Representative informed the Secretary-General that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic would cease to exist on 31 December 1992 and that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, as successor States, would apply for membership in the United Nations.  Following the receipt of its application, the Security Council, on 8 January 1993, recommended to the General Assembly that the Czech Republic be admitted to United Nations membership.  The Czech Republic was thus admitted on 19 January of that year as a Member State. [5]    Zaire joined the United Nations on 20 September 1960.  On 17 May 1997, its name was changed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [6]    Egypt and Syria were original Members of the United Nations from 24 October 1945.  Following a plebiscite on 21 February 1958, the United Arab Republic was established by a union of Egypt and Syria and continued as a single Member.  On 13 October 1961, Syria, having resumed its status as an independent State, resumed its separate membership in the United Nations.  On 2 September 1971, the United Arab Republic changed its name to the Arab Republic of Egypt. [7]    The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic were admitted to membership in the United Nations on 18 September 1973.  Through the accession of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany, effective from 3 October 1990, the two German States have united to form one sovereign State. [8]    By letter of 20 January 1965, Indonesia announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations "at this stage and under the present circumstances".  By telegram of 19 September 1966, it announced its decision "to resume full cooperation with the United Nations and to resume participation in its activities".  On 28 September 1966, the General Assembly took note of this decision and the President invited representatives of Indonesia to take seats in the Assembly. [9]    The Federation of Malaya joined the United Nations on 17 September 1957.  On 16 September 1963, its name was changed to Malaysia, following the admission to the new federation of Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak.  Singapore became an independent State on 9 August 1965 and a Member of the United Nations on 21 September 1965. [10]  Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June.  On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264. [11]   The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945.  In a letter dated 24 December 1991, Boris Yeltsin, the President of the Russian Federation, informed the Secretary-General that the membership of the Soviet Union in the Security Council and all other United Nations organs was being continued by the Russian Federation with the support of the 11 member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. [12]   In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence.  On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro.  The Socialist "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. [13]   Czechoslovakia was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945.  In a letter dated 10 December 1992, its Permanent Representative informed the Secretary-General that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic would cease to exist on 31 December 1992 and that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, as successor States, would apply for membership in the United Nations.  Following the receipt of its application, the Security Council, on 8 January 1993, recommended to the General Assembly that the Slovak Republic be admitted to United Nations Membership.  The Slovak Republic was thus admitted on 19 January of that year as a Member State. [14]   The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992. [15]   Egypt and Syria were original Members of the United Nations from 24 October 1945.  Following a plebiscite on 21 February 1958, the United Arab Republic was established by a union of Egypt and Syria and continued as a single Member.  On 13 October 1961, Syria, having resumed its status as an independent State, resumed its separate membership in the United Nations. [16]   The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. [17]   Tanganyika was a Member of the United Nations from 14 December 1961 and Zanzibar was a Member from 16 December 1963.  Following the ratification on 26 April 1964 of Articles of Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar continued as a single Member, changing its name to the United Republic of Tanzania on 1 November 1964. [18]   Yemen was admitted to membership in the United Nations on 30 September 1947 and Democratic Yemen on 14 December 1967.  On 22 May 1990, the two countries merged and have since been represented as one Member with the name " Yemen".

 

Specialised Agencies of the UN

1. International Labour Organisation (ILO) : Established in 1919 and became the first specialised agency of the UN in 1946. It is composed of : (1) International Labour Conference; (2) the Governing Body; and (3) the International Labour Office. It has 177 members. Headquarters-Geneva Functions : (1) To adopt international conventions for the welfare of the labour; (2) to watch the progress of their implementation; (3) to undertake extensive research work and advisory activities in the field of labour welfare; and (4) to extend technical assistance to governments. 2. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) : FAO was founded at a conference in Quebec city on October 16, 1945, a date observed annually as World Food Day. Its members are 187 countries. Headquarters-Rome Functions : (1) To continuously review food and agriculture position of the world; (2) to undertake research with a view to devise new techniques and methods to improve the production of food; (3) to eradicate animal diseases and to control pests. 3. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) : Established in 1947 and  headquarters are at Montreal. Its assembly composed of delegates from 185 member countries. It assists international civil aviation by encouraging : (1) use of safety measures; (2) uniform regulations for operation; and (3) simpler procedures at borders of two countries. 4. Universal Postal Union (UPU) : Established in 1875, possesses 190 member countries and its headquarters at Berne. Functions : To ensure smooth organisation and perfection of the various postal services and to promote the development of international cooperation in the field of postal communications. 5. International Monetary Fund (lMF) : Established in 1945, possesses 184 member countries and the headquarters are at Washington. Functions : (1) To stabilise internal exchange; (2) to remove artificial barriers hindering international trade; (3) provide short-term foreign exchange assistance to member- States. 6. International Bank for Construction and Development (IBRD)- The World Bank : It began operations in June 1946. It has 184 members and headquarters at Washington. Functions : Its purpose is to provide funds, policy guidance and technical assistance to facilitate economic development in its poorer member countries. 7. International Development Association (IDA) : Established in 1960 and administrated by the IBRD to provide assistance on concessional terms to the poorest developing countries, officers and staff of the lBRD serve concurrently as officers and staff of the IDA at the World Bank headquarters. It has 143 members. 8. International Finance Corporation (lFC) : Established in July 1956. It has 177 members and headquarters at Washington. Functions : It helps to finance new ventures and assist established enterprises to expand, improve or diversify and provides a variety of advisory services to public and private sector. 9. World Trade Organisation (WTO) : It is the third pillar of the world's economic system along with IMF and World Bank, with powers to settle disputes between nations and widen the principle of free trade to sectors such as Services and Agriculture. It has 150 members. It came into existence on January 1, 1995. 10. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) : It came into existence in Nov., 1946, possesses 190 member countries and the headquarters at Paris. Functions : It encourages universal respect for justice, rule of law, fundamental freedom and human rights. 11. World Health Organisation (WHO) : It came into existence in 7 April, 1948, possesses 192 members. Its headquarters at Geneva. Function : Its purpose is to raise health standard, eradicate epidemical diseases. 12. The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) : Established in 1946, it originally sent postwar relief to children. Now it works for the improvement of quality of life for children and mothers in developing countries. Its headquarters at New York. 13. International Telecommunication Union (lTU) : It became a specialised agency of UNO in 1947. It has 189 member countries and headquarters at Geneva. Function : To improve the efficiency of telecommunication service and their availability to the public. 14. International Maritime Consulting Organisation (IMCO) : IMCO established in 1958. It provides the machinery to governments to cooperate in formulating regulations and practices relating to technical matters affecting international shipping. IMCO has 157 members countries and its headquarters are at London. 15. World Meterological Organisation (WMO) : It established in 1947. It develops weather-forecasting services, including seasonal forecasting, and through international collaboration contributes to tracking of global weather conditions. It has 181 members. Headquarters-Geneva. 16. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) : Established in 1957, IAEA accelerates the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and as the international inspectorate for the application of nuclear safeguards and verification measures covering civilian nuclear programmers. It has 138 member states and headquarters at Vienna. 17. United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) : Established in 1966, it help to the living conditions of people and promote global prosperity by offering tailor made solutions for the sustainable industrial development. It has 171 member states and headquarters at Vienna. 18. International Fund for Agricultural Development (lFAD) : Established in Nov. 1977, it mobilizes resources for improved food production and better nutrition among the poor in developing countries, focusing on the needs of the poorest developing countries. This body has 163 member countries and the headquarters at Rome. 19. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) : It became a UN specialized agency in 1974. It has 182 member states and headquarters at Geneva. Functions : To promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world, and to ensure administrative co-operation among the intellectual property.

 

Important Years Observed by UNO

1967  International Tourism Year  1968  Human Rights Year  1970  International Education Year  1972  International Book Year  1974  World Population Year  1975  International Women's Year  1979  International Year of Children  1981 International Year of Disabled  1983  World Communication Year  1985  International Year of Youth  1986  International Year of Peace  1987  International Year of Shelter for the Homeless  1990  International Literary Year  1992  International Year of Space  1993 International Year for Indigenous Population  1994  International Year of Family  1995  International Year of Tolerance  1998  International Year of Ocean  1999  International Year of Older Persons  2000  Designated as Development Decade  2001  International Year of Women Empowerment 2002  International Mountain Year  2003  International Fresh Water Year  2004  International Rice Year  2005  Year of Physics  2006  International Year of Desert and Desertification  2008  International Year of the Potato

Contemporary United Nations International Decade

1990 to 1999  Third Disarmament Decade  1990 to 1999  International Decade for Prevention of Natural Climate  1991 to 2000  United Nations Decade for International Law  1991 to 2000  United Nations Fourth Development Decade 1991 to 2000  Second Decade in Africa for Communication and Traffic  1993 to 2002  Second Decade of Industrial Development in Africa  1993 to 2002  Asian and Prashant Decade for Handi-Capped People  1993 to 2002  Third Decade Against Racialism and Racial Discrimination 1994 to 2004  International Decade for Indigenous People in the World  1995 to 2004  United Nations Decade for Human Right Education  1997 to 2006  United Nations Decade for Abolition of Poverty  2001 to 2010  Second International Decade for Abolition of Colonialism 2001 to 2010  International Decade for Peace and Non-violence Culture in Children