UN organs

Question 1

Security Council

Answer 1

Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

Question 2

SC Decision making

Answer 2

Substantive decisions: 9 votes including 5 permanent members (veto) + 4 votes of non-permanent –> a negative vote by a permanent member invalidates the decision
Procedural decisions: 9 votes (no veto –> a negative vote by a permanent member does not invalidates the decision )

Question 3

Procedural Decision example

Answer 3

The adoption of the agenda, an invitation to an individual to participate in a Council meeting, or adding a new item to the agenda

Question 4

Substantive decisions

Answer 4

Usually, political decisions; conflicts, resolutions discusses publicly in the news/media (an official expression of the opinion or will of a legislative body)

Question 5

Practice of abstention

Answer 5

If a permanent member does not fully agree with a proposed resolution but does not wish to cast a veto, it may choose to abstain (allowing the resolution to be adopted if it obtains the required number of nine favourable votes)

Question 6

Secretariat functions

Answer 6

To gather and prepare background information on various issues so that government delegates can study the facts and make recommendations;
To help carry out the decisions made by the different organs of the United Nations;
To organize international conferences;
To translate speeches and distribute documents into the UN’s official languages;
To keep the public informed about the work of the United Nations.

Question 7

UNGA

Answer 7

To discuss any question relating to international peace and security (except when a dispute or situation is being discussed by the Security Council);
To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation which might harm the friendly relations among nations;
To receive and discuss reports from the Security Council and other UN organs;
To discuss and approve the UN budget;
To elect non-permanent members of the Security Council, the members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and additional members of the Trusteeship Council (when necessary); to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice (jointly with the Security Council); and on the recommendation of the Security Council, to appoint the Secretary-General.

Question 8

ECOSOC

Answer 8

To discuss and make recommendations on the powers and functions of any organ of the United Nations;
To request studies and make recommendations to promote international cooperation, the development of international law, the protection of human rights, and international collaboration on economic, social, cultural, educational and health issues;

Question 9

UN Peacekeeping

Answer 9

non-coercive instrument of ensuring compliance - peacekeeping is an activity that expands the possibilities for both the prevention of conflict and the making of peace.

-> no standing army
-> national contingents wearing blue helmets
->civilian staff recruited by UN Secretariat

Question 10

UN peacekeeping triangle

Answer 10

Host state consent, Non-use of force, Impartiality

Question 11

Un Peacekeeping: mandates

Answer 11

• Maintain peace & security
• Support the organization of elections
• Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants (DDR)
• SecuritySectorReform(SSR)
• Restore the rule of law