How Does The UN Work

Summary

In this informative video, the United Nations, marking its 70th anniversary in 2015, is explored in detail. The UN is structured into six main parts, including the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council, each playing a vital role in global governance. The General Assembly debates pressing issues like climate change, while the Security Council focuses on maintaining peace and security. Other functions include promoting human rights and addressing international law violations. Despite criticisms regarding the influence of the five permanent Security Council members, the UN has made significant strides in combating global challenges such as hunger and poverty.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The United Nations (UN) was established to foster communication among member states and achieve global goals that are challenging for individual nations to accomplish alone.
• 🗳️ The General Assembly includes 193 member states, where each country has one vote, addressing issues such as security, diplomacy, and climate change.
• 🌱 In 2015, major discussions in the General Assembly focused on climate change and aiding developing countries in combating global warming.
• 🛡️ The Security Council aims to prevent large-scale conflicts, comprising five permanent members (the US, UK, France, Russia, and China) who possess veto power.
• 🌐 The Security Council has 10 additional elected members, ensuring representation from various global regions, elected every two years.
• 👮‍♂️ The UN's peacekeeping forces, totaling around 100,000 soldiers, carry out resolutions passed by the Security Council.
• 💼 The Economic and Social Council works to improve living standards and promote human rights, primarily in developing countries.
• ⚖️ The International Court of Justice addresses international law violations, though powerful nations may refuse to comply with its decisions.
• 🕊️ The Trusteeship Council was established to assist territories in achieving independence but was suspended in 1994 after aiding over 70 countries.
• 📊 The Secretariat handles the administrative functions of the UN, compiling reports and facilitating communication among different councils, led by the Secretary-General.

Q & A

What is the primary mission of the United Nations?

The primary mission of the United Nations (UN) is to foster communication among its member states and achieve global goals that would be impossible to reach individually.

How many member states are in the UN General Assembly?

The UN General Assembly includes 193 member states, which are nearly all internationally recognized countries.

What significant issue was a focus of the UN General Assembly in 2015?

In 2015, a major focus of the UN General Assembly was climate change and helping developing countries face the threats posed by global warming.

What voting requirement exists for resolutions related to defense and administrative issues in the General Assembly?

Resolutions related to defense and administrative issues require a two-thirds majority vote, while most other issues only need a simple majority.

Who are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council?

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.

What is the role of the UN's peacekeeping forces?

The UN's peacekeeping forces, which consist of about 100,000 soldiers, are responsible for carrying out the resolutions passed by the Security Council to maintain peace.

What is the function of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) works to improve standards of living and promote human rights, primarily focusing on assisting developing countries.

What does the International Court of Justice (ICJ) address?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) addresses violations of international law, although compliance with its decisions can be inconsistent among powerful nations.

What was the purpose of the Trusteeship Council, and why is it inactive now?

The Trusteeship Council was established to assist developing territories in becoming independent countries. It became inactive in 1994 after helping over 70 countries achieve independence.

What are the responsibilities of the UN Secretariat?

The UN Secretariat manages the internal administrative operations of the UN, compiles reports, and facilitates communication among the various councils. It is headed by the UN Secretary-General.