6 Principle Organs of UN

Question 1

General Assembly

Answer 1

1 country on vote
6 subcommittees (legal, admin, humanitarian etc)
193 member states, 2 observer states
Observer seats for IGO’s
No NGO representation
Majority vote & voting blocks
General debate, speech, caucuses and voting

Question 2

Security Council

Answer 2

P-5 voting power (China, Russia, France, UK and US)
5 P-5, 10 non P-5 members
P-5 Taiwan became China (PRC) ‘71
P-5 USSR becomes Russian Federation ‘91
Maintenance of international peace and security
meets year round

Question 3

Economic and Social Council

Answer 3

Regional representation vs Universal representation
(54 members) high rep of Africa, Asia and Latin America
Works on social, economic and environmental issues
NGO representation at ECOSOC

Question 4

Secretariat

Answer 4

International Civil Service
Headed by Secretary General currently Ban Ki Moon
GA recommendation, SC approved
5 year term, no limits
No State Representation but rather International Interests

Question 5

International Court of Justice

Answer 5

Civil Court
Contentious Cases - One country sues another
Advisory Opinion - Outline pre-existing norms of laws but are not binding
15 Judges, 3 year terms, 5 judges rotated out per election
No two from the same State and legal system representation
No State Representation but rather International Interests

Question 6

Trusteeship Council

Answer 6

Addresses issues of territories during decolonization
Helps protect territories from being taken over during transition to States
‘94 Palau became State from territory status
Meets once a year