Introduction:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, after World War II, with the primary aim of maintaining international peace and security. The UN is headquartered in New York City and has 193 member states. In this blog post, we will explore the history and membership of the United Nations.
History:
The UN was founded in the aftermath of World War II, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people and widespread destruction across Europe and Asia. The devastation caused by the war led to a global consensus that something had to be done to prevent such catastrophic events from occurring again. The UN was created as a means of promoting international cooperation and peaceful resolution of conflicts between nations.
First proposed in 1918
The idea of a global organization for peace was first proposed in 1918 by President Woodrow Wilson of the United States. Wilson’s proposal was to create a League of Nations, which would act as an international forum for resolving disputes between nations. However, the League of Nations was not successful in preventing World War II, and it dissolved in 1946. In the aftermath of World War II, there was a renewed call for an international organization to maintain peace, and this led to the creation of the United Nations.
Membership:
The United Nations has 193 member states, which includes almost every recognized state in the world. The first member states to join the UN in 1945 were the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and France, who are also the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
First submit an application to the Hon’ble Secretary-General
To become a member of the UN, a state must first submit an application to the Hon’ble Secretary-General, who then forwards the application to the Security Council for approval. The Security Council then makes a recommendation to the General Assembly, which makes the final decision on whether to accept the new member state.
There are five criteria that a state must meet to be eligible for UN membership:
- Sovereignty: The state must be a sovereign entity recognized by other states.
- Peaceful relations: The state must have peaceful relations with other states and be willing to resolve disputes peacefully.
- International obligations: The state must be willing to abide by the obligations outlined in the UN Charter.
- Capacity to fulfill obligations: The state must have the capacity to fulfill the obligations outlined in the UN Charter.
- Support: The state must be supported by a majority of UN member states.
The five permanent members of the Security Council have the power to veto any new member state, which means that if any of the five permanent members vote against a new member state, that state cannot become a member of the UN.
Current Membership:
The current membership of the United Nations includes 193 member states, which includes almost every recognized state in the world. The UN membership is almost universal, with only a few states not being members. The states that are not members of the UN include Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine.
Taiwan
Taiwan is not a member of the UN because it is not recognized as a sovereign state by most UN member states. Taiwan is considered by China to be a province of China, and therefore, it is not recognized as a separate state by most countries.
Kosovo
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but its membership in the UN is limited due to opposition from Serbia and Russia, two permanent members of the Security Council.
Palestine
Palestine was granted observer status in the UN in 2012, but it is not a full member state due to opposition from Israel and the United States, which are both permanent members of the Security Council.
The United Nations (UN) is a complex organization with a diverse range of responsibilities and functions, so its working pattern is multifaceted and can vary depending on the specific task or issue being addressed. However, there are some general patterns that can be observed in the UN’s operations.
The primary functions of the UN
One of the primary functions of the UN is to maintain international peace and security, which is carried out primarily through the UN Security Council. The Security Council meets regularly to discuss and address emerging threats to international peace and security, and to authorize actions such as peacekeeping missions or sanctions to address these threats. The working pattern of the Security Council involves close consultation among its members, with decision-making often requiring consensus among the five permanent members.
A key role
The UN also plays a key role in promoting sustainable development and addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. This work is carried out primarily through the UN General Assembly, which meets annually to discuss and develop policies and initiatives to address these challenges. The working pattern of the General Assembly involves extensive negotiation and consultation among member states, with consensus-building and compromise being key aspects of the decision-making process.
Specialized agencies and programs
In addition to its formal decision-making bodies, the UN also has numerous specialized agencies and programs that work on specific issues such as health, education, and human rights. These agencies and programs have their own working patterns and operate independently, but are guided by the overall mission and principles of the UN.
Overall,
The working pattern of the UN is characterized by collaboration, consultation, and negotiation among member states, with a focus on achieving consensus and promoting cooperation to address global challenges. The UN’s operations are guided by the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for human rights, equality, and international cooperation, and are designed to promote peace, security, and prosperity for all.
Conclusion:
Peace and security around the world
The United Nations is an international organization with the primary aim of promoting international cooperation and maintaining peace and security around the world. The UN has 193 member states, which includes almost every recognized state in the world. To become a member of the UN, a state must meet five criteria, including sovereignty, peaceful relations, willingness to abide by the obligations outlined in the UN Charter, capacity to fulfill obligations, and support from a majority of UN member states. The five permanent members of the Security Council have the power to veto any new member state, which gives them significant influence in the admission of new member states.
Although almost every recognized state in the world is a member of the UN, there are a few exceptions, such as Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine. These states are not members of the UN due to various political and diplomatic reasons.
An important international organization
Despite its limitations and challenges, the UN remains an important international organization for promoting cooperation and peace among nations. It provides a forum for countries to work together on issues such as climate change, human rights, and global health. The UN has also played a crucial role in preventing and resolving conflicts around the world, such as in the Balkans, East Timor, and Sierra Leone.
The world faces new challenges
As the world faces new challenges and threats, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the role of the UN in promoting international cooperation and maintaining peace and security becomes increasingly important. The UN will continue to play a vital role in the years ahead, as countries work together to address these global challenges and build a more peaceful and prosperous world.
https://www.un.org/en/our-work/maintain-international-peace-and-security