XL. Veto

In some committees like the Security Council a country has the right to veto and therefore, overrides the majority vote and the resolution is not passed. Not all countries have veto, with only five currently having this status.

The United Nations Structure

For more details on the organizations and structure of the U.N., go to www.un.org or to the Cyber school bus https://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/. Cyber school bus is a UN publication designed for specifically for students.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Ø Principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).

Ø Functions to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes between countries

Ø Issues must be jointly submitted to it by both States in order for a ruling to be binding

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

Security Council (SC)

Ø Membership is 15 countries represented from the regions of the world

Ø 5 countries have veto power; USA, UK, France, Russia, and China

Ø Primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Ø Only UN body that can use force; economic and/or military

Ø What is does with threats to peace

o Recommends the parties try to reach an agreement by peaceful means.

o undertakes investigation and mediation through special representatives or request the Secretary-General to do so

o Sets forth principles for a peaceful settlement.

o Issues cease-fire directives which have been instrumental in preventing wider hostilities.

o Commissions United Nations peace-keeping forces to help reduce tensions in troubled areas, keep opposing forces apart, and create conditions of calm in which peaceful settlements may be sought.

o Use enforcement measures, economic sanctions (such as trade embargoes) or collective military action.

General Assembly (GA)

Ø Membership: All Member States with each state having one vote. Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s such as UNICEF) are observers.

Ø the “main deliberative organ.” It is basically the place where everybody discusses current issues going on in the world today

Ø The body that is designed to reflect world opinion and resolve about global issues.

Ø Discusses resolutions that are proposed as solutions by countries who seek to solve a problem.

Ø GA resolutions are not BINDING on individual members; each member has autonomy on the acceptance of GA resolutions

Ø Member States can either vote for or against these resolutions. If they do not wish to support a resolution, but do not want to vote against it, they abstain from voting.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)

What is an NGO?

An NGO is a non-profit organization formed by civil society to serve certain interests of a public issue (A group of people interested in supporting a cause form a group).

A global listing of major NGO’s (including non-UN) can be found at https://library.duke.edu/research/subject/guides/ngo_guide/ngo_links/a-e.html

International Organizations (IO)

What is an International Organization?

An IO is an organization that is established by the resolve of the international community to address crucial issues to humanity and to create mechanisms of technical support, capacity building, research and analysis, and human resource developments.

Examples of International Organizations:

WHO – World Health Organization

ILO – International Court of Justice

UNICEF – UN International Children’s Education Fund