United Nations Organisation consists of six organs and several specialised agencies. Its organs are: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (briefly called ECOSOC), the Trusteeship Council, the Secretariat and the International Court of Justice. Its specialized agencies are the International Labour Office (briefly I L.O.), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (F.A.O.), the United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.). etc.
The General Assembly.
The U.N.O. has 159 members. Each member-State sends not more than five delegates to the General Assembly, but it has one vote. The General Assembly meets at least once a year in September. But if there is a threat to peace, it can be summoned to meet at any time of the year.Decisions on important questions are made by a two-third majority of the members present and voting.
The General Assembly is really the legislative organ of the U.N.O. It performs or supervises all the functions for which the U.N.O. is established. It discusses any question relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, when it is brought before it by any member, or by the Security Council, It has the right to discuss and make recommendations on all matters within the scope of the Charter. It has also the right to discuss the powers and functions of all other organs of the U.N.O. They all submit annual and special reports to it. It elects the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council, the members of the Economic and Social Council and the elective members of the Trusteeship Council.
The Security Council.
It consists of 15 members, five permanent and 10 elected for two years. The five permanent members are U.S.A., U.S.S.R., U.K. France and China period the Security Council is the principal organ of the U.N.O., to preserve world peace and security. It performs the primary function of preserving peace for which the U.N.O. was created. It has two functions, firstly, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes between two or more States, and secondly, to stop aggression.
Each member of the Security Council has one vote. A decision on any matter other than a question of procedure is by an affirmative vote of ten members including the votes of the five permanent members, viz., U.S.A. U.K., USSR, China and France. This is the rule of “Great Power unanimity,” popularly called the “veto”. As the Security Council has the primary function of keeping peace all over the world, it is always vigilant. It is, therefore, so organised as to be able to work continuously.
The Security Council has the right to investigate any dispute or situation which may lead to a war between two or more countries. Such disputes or situations may be brought before the Security Council by one of its members, or any member-State, by the General Assembly or by the Secretary-General. It has the right to recommend ways and means of settling such international disputes peacefully and, if need be, it may itself lay down terms of settlement. In the event of a breach of international peace, the Security Council has power to take “enforcement” measures in order to restore international peace and security. These measures are economic boycott or use of armed forces.
The Economic and Social Council.
One of the chief functions of the U.N.O. is to promote the prosperity, welfare, and standard of living of all the countries of the world. This function is primarily performed by the Economic and Social Council. The Council holds meeting at least twice a year. It consists of 27 members, nine of whom are elected each year by the General Assembly for a term of three years. The Council organises the work of the specialised agencies, like the I.L.O., F.A.O., and UNESCO. It also appoints commissions for particular aspects of its work. It also hears reports from regional economic commission, like ECAFE for Asia and Far East.
Trusteeship Council works for social, economic educational and other developments of the peoples living in Trust Territories.
Secretariat Much of the work of the U.N.O. is performed by the Secretary-General and his staff. He may bring any matter which threatens world peace to the attention of the Security Council. The Secretariat now consists of about 4.500 employees of the U.N.O., from all nations of the world.
Lastly, the U.N.O. has several agencies. Commissions and organisations for special functions, such as food and agriculture, science, arts and education, atomic energy, etc. they all work for promoting progress ‘and development in their special relevant fields. They are, for example, the UNESCO, the I.L.O., etc.
The UNESCO. It is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It is one of the specialised agencies of thQ U.N.O. It was established on November 4, 1946, with its headquarters at Paris, France.
Its Composition.
The UNESCO consists of 66 members. Some of them are U.S.A., U.K., France, Pakistan, and other nations. It consists of three organs, viz., a General Conference, an Executive Board, and a Secretariat.
Its Functions.
The functions of the UNESCO are determined by the great purpose for which (he U.N.O. is established, namely, to promote peace through collective security and the intellectual and social progress without which no just and lasting peace is possible. Broadly speaking, it has three functions as shown by its name, viz., promotion of educational, scientific and cultural progress and development.
The International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.)
The I.L.O. was set up in 1919, along with the League of Nations. But it has continued to exist after the end of the League. In 1946, by an agreement with the U.N.O. the I.L.O. has become a “specialised agency” of the U.N.O.
Purposes and functions of the I.L.O.
One of the purposes of the U.N.O. is to promote human welfare and social justice. The I L.O. exists for this purpose. Its purpose is to maintain and improve the standard of living of the workers of the world. The functions of the I.L.O. are: (1) the regulation of hours of work, including the establishment of maximum working day and week; (2) prevention of unemployment; (3) provision for adequate living wages; (4) the protection of the workers against sickness, disease and injury during work; (5) protection of the children, young persons and women; (6) provision for old age and injury; (7) freedom of association; (8) the organisation of vocational and technical education.
Its Composition.
The I.L.O. consists of 66 member-countries. It works through three organs. They are: (1) the Conference; (2) the Governing Body; and (3) the International Labour Office, or’its Secretariat.
International Court of Justice.
The Covenant of the League of Nations had planned for the establishment of an international court. In 1921, a court was established, with the name of the Permanent Court of International Justice. This Court survived the League When the U.N.O. was established; the Permanent Court became an integral part of this Organisation, with the new title of the International Court of Justice. But as regards its composition, functions, and jurisdiction, there had been no change whatsoever.
Its Composition.
All the members of the U.N.O. are parties to the Statute of the International Court.
The Court consists of 15 judges, who hold their office for nine years. It has its seat at the Hague, Holland. The judges are chosen without regard to their nationality. They are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Its Jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction of the Court extends to all the cases which the member-States refer to it. The non-member-States can also refer their disputes to the Court on the condition of complying with its decision. But the States are not forced to submit their disputes or cases to the Court. The Court has the jurisdiction in the following cases: Cases of legal nature which involve the interpretation of treaties, and question of international law, violation of international obligations, and the nature and extent of preparation for the breach of international obligations.