What Are the Six UN Organs, and What Does Each One Do?

The United Nations (UN) was created in 1945 to promote global peace, development, and human rights. It has six main organs that work together to help countries cooperate on major global issues. Each organ has a specific function and role in keeping the world safer, healthier, and more peaceful.

1. General Assembly (UNGA)

• Role: The main platform for international discussion and policymaking.
• Members: All 193 UN member states, each with one equal vote.
• Functions:
  • Debates and adopts resolutions on global issues.
  • Approves the UN budget and spending on peacekeeping.
  • Elects members to the Security Council, ECOSOC, and appoints judges to the ICJ.
  • Sets international priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Examples:
  • Adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
  • Passed resolutions on climate action, Ukraine conflict, and humanitarian aid.
  • Organises the annual General Debate attended by global leaders.

2. Security Council (UNSC)

• Role: Maintains international peace and security.
• Members: 15 total — 5 permanent (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) with veto power, and 10 elected members serving 2-year terms.
• Functions:
  • Authorises peacekeeping operations.
  • Imposes sanctions and embargos.
  • Approves use of military force in crisis situations.
  • Monitors global conflicts and nuclear threats.
• Examples:
  • Deployed peacekeepers to South Sudan, Mali, and DR Congo.
  • Sanctions against North Korea, Iran.
  • Response to Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

3. International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• Role: Settles legal disputes between countries and gives legal opinions.
• Location: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Members: 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council.
• Functions:
  • Resolves disputes over land, sea, and treaties.
  • Issues advisory opinions to UN agencies.
  • Promotes use of international law in conflict resolution.
• Examples:
  • Myanmar-Rohingya genocide hearing.
  • Maritime dispute between Chile and Bolivia.
  • Colombia vs Nicaragua territorial case.

4. Secretariat

• Role: Administers daily operations of the UN.
• Headed by: Secretary-General (currently António Guterres).
• Functions:
  • Organises UN conferences and meetings.
  • Prepares studies, reports, and proposals for policy-making.
  • Coordinates humanitarian and emergency responses.
  • Engages in diplomatic efforts for conflict resolution.
• Examples:
  • COVID-19 global response coordination.
  • Campaigns for climate action, peace, and youth leadership.
  • Diplomatic efforts in Syria and Yemen peace talks.

5. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• Role: Oversees economic, social, environmental, and development issues.
• Members: 54 elected countries with 3-year terms.
• Functions:
  • Coordinates work of agencies like WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF.
  • Engages with over 1,600 NGOs and experts globally.
  • Monitors Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Promotes cooperation on education, gender equality, food security, and technology.
• Examples:
  • Organises the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
  • Works on reducing poverty, promoting access to education and clean water.
  • Engagements on global internet access and fair digital economy.

6. Trusteeship Council

• Role: Supervised territories under colonial rule until they became independent.
• Status: Inactive since 1994 but still part of UN Charter structure.
• Functions (when active):
  • Helped trust territories draft constitutions and build governments.
  • Oversaw free elections and democratic transitions.
  • Worked to ensure economic and social progress.
• Examples:
  • Assisted in independence of Palau, Samoa, and Nauru.
  • Guided Pacific island nations to self-governance.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The six organs of the UN work together to help countries cooperate and solve shared problems. From promoting peace to improving education and law, these bodies help make the world safer, fairer, and more united.

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