"The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and serve as a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations."
This covers the role of international organizations like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the International Court of Justice in shaping and enforcing international law.
International Law: The set of rules and principles governing the relations between states, and other subjects of international law.
International Organizations: Organizations of a permanent character created by the agreement of independent actors, to which they give certain functions, and which are empowered with international legal personality.
United Nations: The intergovernmental organization responsible for promoting international peace and cooperation.
World Trade Organization: An intergovernmental organization that regulates global trade and investment.
International Monetary Fund: The international financial institution that promotes monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and economic growth.
World Bank: An international financial institution that provides loans and other financial products to countries for development projects.
European Union: A political and economic union of 27 member states located mainly in Europe.
International Human Rights: The protection and promotion of human rights at the international level, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
International Criminal Law: The legal framework for prosecuting crimes committed against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.
International Environmental Law: The set of rules and principles that govern the relationship between humans and the environment.
International Labor Law: The set of rules and principles that regulate the relationship between employers and employees at the international level.
International Trade Law: The set of rules and principles that govern the exchange of goods and services between countries.
International Investment Law: The set of rules and principles that regulate foreign investment.
International Dispute Resolution: The process for resolving disputes between countries or international organizations.
International Economic Law: The set of rules and principles governing economic relations between states and other international entities.
Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): These are organizations formed by two or more sovereign states to pursue common objectives in areas such as politics, economics, trade, law, health, education, and security. They are created by a multilateral agreement or treaty, and their membership is restricted to governments. Examples of IGOs include the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, the African Union, and the European Union.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): These are organizations that operate internationally and independently from government control. They are usually founded by private individuals or groups to promote social, cultural, environmental, or humanitarian goals. NGOs may work in various fields such as human rights, democracy, development, education, health, and relief. Examples of NGOs include Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch, and Doctors Without Borders.
International Courts and Tribunals: These are institutions that have the authority to adjudicate disputes or enforce international law. They are usually created by international treaties or conventions and have jurisdiction over specific areas of law. International courts and tribunals may deal with issues such as human rights, crimes against humanity, war crimes, trade law, and environmental law. Examples of international courts and tribunals include the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body.
International Financial Institutions: These are institutions that provide financial assistance, loans, and other services to governments, private companies, and individuals around the world. They are usually created by multiple countries and focus on supporting economic development, trade, and stability. International financial institutions may include institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and International Finance Corporation.
Regional Organizations: These are organizations formed by countries within a particular geographic region to promote economic, social, or political cooperation. They may have similar goals and projects as IGOs, but their membership is limited to a specific region. Examples of regional organizations include the African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Organization of American States.
Specialized Agencies: These are organizations that have been created by the United Nations to deal with or address specific issues such as health, education, culture, and science. They work independently of the UN but receive funding and support from it. Examples of specialized agencies include the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"The UN is headquartered in New York City (in the United States, but with certain extraterritorial privileges)."
"Almost all of the world's sovereign states. As of 2023, it has 193 member states."
"The UN was established after World War II with the aim of preventing future world wars. It succeeded the League of Nations, which was characterized as ineffective. On 25 April 1945, 50 nations met in San Francisco, California for a conference and started drafting the UN Charter, which was adopted on 25 June 1945."
"The organization's objectives, as defined by its charter, include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law."
"The organization's mission to preserve world peace was complicated in its early decades due in part to Cold War tensions that existed between the United States and Soviet Union and their respective allies."
"By the 1970s, the UN's budget for economic and social development programmes vastly exceeded its spending on peacekeeping."
"After the end of the Cold War in 1991, the UN shifted and expanded its field operations, undertaking a wide variety of complex tasks."
"The UN has six principal operational organizations: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the UN Secretariat, and the Trusteeship Council."
"The UN System includes a multitude of specialized agencies, funds, and programs, including the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, UNESCO, and UNICEF."
"The UN's chief administrative officer is the secretary-general, currently Portuguese politician and diplomat António Guterres."
"António Guterres began his first five-year term on 1 January 2017."
"The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states."
"Some commentators believe the organization to be an important force for peace and human development, while others have called it ineffective, biased, and corrupt."
"The UN, its officers, and its agencies have won many Nobel Peace Prizes."
"The organization has other offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague."
"The International Court of Justice is headquartered in The Hague."
"Its mission has included the provision of primarily unarmed military observers and lightly armed troops charged with primarily monitoring, reporting and confidence-building roles."
"UN membership grew significantly following widespread decolonization in the 1960s. Since then, 80 former colonies have gained independence."
"The Trusteeship Council has been inactive since 1994."