United Nations
In this article or post we will discuss about the Organizations of the United Nations, its brief history, and the functions of the different organizations..
The United Nations is basically an organization of different nations. It was established on October 24, 1945, after World War 2. The first meeting of the organization was held in January 1946.
When the UN was founded, it had 51 nations as its member states but presently it has 193 nations.
Question: Where is the United Nations Headquarters located?
Answer: The United Nations Headquarters is in New York, USA.
Note: All the primary organs (four out of five) except the International Court of Justice (Hague, Netherlands) are located in New York
Official Languages- Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
Since 1947 we celebrate 24th October as “United Nations Day”.
Objectives of the United Nations
The main objective of the United Nations is to make the world a better place by peacemaking, by preventing conflict between nations, providing humanitarian assistance. It also provides financial help to developing countries.
- to promote international cooperation
- maintaining international peace and security
- developing friendly relations among nations etc.
Organizations of the United Nations
Knowledge Booster- U. Thant of Myanmar was 1st secretary general of the UN from Asia.
Main Organs of the United Nations
The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco. The UN Charter established six principal organs that serve different functions.
The 6 principal Organizations of the United Nations are-
- The General Assembly
- The Security Council
- The Economic and Social Council
- The International Court of Justice
- The Secretariat
- The Trusteeship Council (Operation Suspended in 1994)
Note- In 1994, The Trusteeship Council was suspended from its work. So, at present, there are only five (5) Principal Organs.
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Main Agencies of the UN
- UNICEF (The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund)
- WHO (The World Health Organization)
- FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization)
- ILO (The International Labour Organization)
- UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Fund)
- World Bank
UNICEF (The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund)
- It was established in 1946 for child victims of the Second World War.
- Now provides aid for children in underdeveloped countries.
- Runs various programs like child education, health care, and family and child welfare.
WHO (The World Health Organization)
- It was established in 7th April 1948.
- Headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It helps in preventing epidemics, helps in fighting against diseases like malaria and, provides medical relief.
ILO (The International Labour Organisation)
- It was established in 1919.
- Headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Provides care and facilities to the laborers.
FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organisation)
- Its aim is to defeat hunger.
- It is the largest of all the UN agencies.
- Headquarter is in Rome, Italy.
World Bank
- Headquarter is in Washington, D.C.
- It lends funds to help countries with their different programs like transport, communication, etc.
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Fund)
- It was established in 1945.
- Headquarter is in Paris, France.
- Works towards improving the lives of people through education.
- Provides special scientific and cultural training to backward countries.
Some Major Achievements of the United Nations
Let us now talk about the some of the major achievements so far achieved by this organization-
- Played a key role in settling disputes between nations like India and Pakistan, or Iran and Iraq.
- Played a remarkable role in arms control and the peaceful use of atomic energy.
- It has been providing food to victims of various emergencies.
- It helps developing nations to fight against poverty, illiteracy, and diseases.
- it has helped in promoting independence and democracy in many nations.
- It has been able to provide better working conditions for agricultural and industrial workers.
- Has helped in improving cultural cooperation among nations.
Knowledge Booster
- Present Secretary-General:- Antonio Guterres
- Deputy Secretary-General:- Amina J. Mohammed
Last Update- 13th July 2019
UN Official Page: Click Here
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