The United NationsOrganisation

The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.

United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.

UN facts192 member statesUn headquarters is situated in New YorkThe US has always been by far the largest single contributor to the UN budget. In June 2004 the US owed the UN just over $1 billion almost half the total $2.5 billion owed to the UN by its members.The budget for the UN's main operations is $2.5 billion a year. In theory, any member state that owes more than its two previous years assessments cannot vote in the General Assembly. The UN Secretariat worldwide employs some 15,000 people from 170 different countriesSix official languages are used at the UN: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.The current secretary general is Ban Ki-moon of South Korea.

Aims /Objectives of the UNTo keep peace throughout the world. To develop friendly relations between nations. To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms. To be a centre for helping nations achieve these aims.

Principles of the UNAll Member States have sovereign equality. All Member States must obey the Charter. Countries must try to settle their differences by peaceful means. Countries must avoid using force or threatening to use force. The UN may not interfere in the domestic affairs of any country. Countries should try to assist the United Nations.

The Principal organs of the UNGeneral AssemblySecurity CouncilEconomic and Social CouncilInternational Court of JusticeSecretariatTrusteeship Council

Security Council5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, UK and the United States10 rotating membersResponsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The Security Council has the responsibility toto investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction; to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement; to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments; to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken; to call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression; to take military action against an aggressor; to recommend the admission of new Members; to exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in "strategic areas"; to recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

General AssemblyIt occupies the central position as the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations. A forum for multilateral discussion on international issues between 192 Members of the United NationsIt plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law. The Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.

Educational and Social CouncilECOSOC coordinates economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions.ECOSOC consults with academics, business sector representatives and more than 2,100 registered non-governmental organizations. It is responsible for:

promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

International Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations(UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The Courts role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. Its official languages are English and French.

Trusteeship CouncilResponsible for supervising the administration of Trust Territories placed under the Trusteeship System. Major goals :to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust Territories and their progressive development

towards self-government or independence.The aims of the Trusteeship System have been fulfilled to such an extent that all Trust Territories have attained self-government or independence, either as separate States or by joining neighbouring independent countries. The Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory, on 1 October 1994.