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Lecture Summary (19.11.2002)The Organization of the UN

• Security Council• Economic and Social Council

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Lecture Outline (21.11.2002)

1. The Organization of the UN (cont’d)• Trusteeship Council• Secretariat• International Court of Justice2. Basic Issues of the United Nations• Membership• Representation• Voting• Amendment• Finance

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The Trusteeship Council

the task of supervising the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship System

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The Trusteeship Council

Major Goals of the Council:

1. to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories

2. To promote their progressive development towards self-government or independence.

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The Trusteeship Council

The Structure of the Council:

1. Permament membrs+administering members+non-administering members

For instance the situation in 1950 2. Later on only 5 permanent members

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The Trusteeship Council

Working of the Council:

1. authorized to examine and discuss reports from the Administering Authority on the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the peoples of Trust Territories

2. in consultation with the Administering Authority, to examine petitions from and undertake periodic and other special missions to Trust Territories

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The Trusteeship Council

Contemporary Position of the Council:

suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory

By a resolution adopted on 25 May 1994, drop the obligation to meet annually agreed to meet as occasion required

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The Secretariat

an international staff working in duty stations around the world -- carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the Organization

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The SecretariatFunctions:To service the other principal organs of the

United Nations To administers the programmes and policies laid

down by other bodies of the Union To inform the world's communications media

about the work of the United Nations To organize international conferences on issues

of worldwide concern To interpret speeches and translate documents

into the Organization's official languages

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The Secretariat

Functions:

administering peacekeeping operations

mediating international disputessurveying economic and social trends

and problems preparing studies on human rights

and sustainable development.

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The Secretariat

The Secretary General:

Election of the SC

SC, GA elects jointly

5 year term in the office

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The SecretariatFunctions of the Secretary General:1. To be the chief administrative officer of the

organization2. To act as secretary to all major delegate bodies of

the UN3. To perform functions assigned by the GA and

three Councils4. To make an annual report to the GA on the work

of the organization5. To appoint the secretary staff

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The Secretariat

Powers of the Secretary General:

1. can bring to the Security Council any matter that might threaten world peace

2. has the authority to serve as a neutral mediator in international conflicts and to bring hostile parties together to negotiate

3. works to build consensus among the five permanent members of the Security Council

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The International Court of JusticeGeneral Featuresthe principal judicial organ of the United

Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands)

began work in 1946, when it replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice

operates under a Statute largely similar to that of its predecessor, which is an integral part of the Charter of the United Nations

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The International Court of Justice

Functions

1. to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes submitted to it by States began work in 1946, when it replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice

2. to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies

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The International Court of Justice

Structurecomposed of 15 judges elected to

nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

It may not include more than one judge of any nationality

They have international personalities do not represent their governments

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The International Court of Justice

Working of the CourtOnly States may apply to and appear

before the Court Membership is not conditional to UN

membership The Court is competent to entertain a

dispute only if the States concerned have accepted its jurisdiction

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The International Court of Justice

The Legal Sources of the Court

international treaties and conventions in force

international customthe general principles of law judicial decisions and the teachings

of the most highly qualified publicists

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Specialized Agencies of the UNAutonomous organizations joined to

the UN through special agreementsILO (International Labour

Organization) FAO (Food and Agriculture

Organization of the UN) UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organization) WHO (World Health Organization) World Bank group

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Specialized Agencies of the UNIMF (International Monetary Fund) ICAO (International Civil Aviation

Organization) UPU (Universal Postal Union)

ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

WMO (World Meteorological Organization)

IMO (International Maritime Organization)

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Specialized Agencies of the UN

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization)

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

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Membership Issue

1. Big power participation2. Sovereignty and competence to be a member3. Original membership vs. Admitted

membership1. Admission process2. 1945-1955 period (veto vs. collective veto)

Activities to cope with the problem1955 sixteen states simultaneously

4. Switzerland’s position5. Special membership for specialized agencies