U N

7 de noviembre 2025

UNITED NATIONS

UN

ORGANIZATION

Julieta Sierra Banegas

“There is no development without peace, and no peace without development.”

SECRETARY ALAN PETER S. CAYETANO, 2017.

INTRODUCTION

DefinitionRole in International Law

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization established in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, by 51 founding countries. Its primary mission is to promote peace, develop friendly relations among nations, and advance social progress and human rights across the globe.

United Nations Charter, Chapter I: Purposes and Principles Article 1

1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;

United Nations Charter, Chapter I: Purposes and Principles Article 1

3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

History

Timeline and Main Events

1941

ti m e

The Declaration of St James’s Palace

Allied leaders first expressed their vision for a postwar order based on peace, security, and cooperation.

1942

The Declaration by United Nations

Signed by 26 countries pledging to uphold common principles and goals for security and rights.

1943–1944

The Moscow and Dumbarton Oaks Conferences

Allied powers designed the framework and key legal principles for a new international organization.

1945

The signing and entry into force of the UN Charter

Establishing a legal foundation for international law, peace, and human rights at the San Francisco Conference.

Origin and development

1945

51 countries founded the United Nations to foster international cooperation and prevent future wars.​

UN Headquarters

1946

The General Assembly chose New York City as the permanent headquarters for the United Nations

Cold War

1945-1991

Superpower rivalry, frequent Security Council vetoes, and political divisions often prevented the United Nations from taking decisive action

Structure

Six Principal Organs

Six Principal Organs

General Assembly

Trusteeship Council

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Security Council

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Secretariat

The UN and International Law

Purpose in International Law

Multilateral Treaties

Judicial Settlement of disputes

Codification of international law

The UN develops and deposits major multilateral treaties covering topics like human rights, disarmament, the environment, and more.

The UN provides legal forums for resolving disputes through impartial adjudication.

The UN, through bodies like the International Law Commission, systematically develops, interprets, and clarifies international law.

Analysis

Challenges and criticismsAchievements and impact

Problems with UNSC Membership,

Problems with the Veto, and

Problems with Effectiveness of the UN

Sustainable Development Objectives

Peace and Security

Achievements and impact

Humanitarian Impact

muchas gracias

Problems with the Veto

• Each permanent member can block any substantive resolution, leading to repeated deadlock on crucial issues like Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza.​
• Veto use often protects national interests rather than global security, sometimes allowing atrocities or aggression to go unchecked.​
• The imbalance of power means non-permanent members have minimal influence and struggle to address urgent conflicts

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• Coordinates the UN’s economic, social, and development work, overseeing specialized agencies and NGOs.
• Has 54 member states elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
• Provides policy reviews, recommendations, and forums for discussing global economic and social issues.

• The UN, through bodies like the International Law Commission, systematically develops, interprets, and clarifies international law.
• International Humanitarian Law: Defines standards for the humane conduct of war, embodied in instruments like the Geneva Conventions.

• International Court of Justice: Settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions to the UN.
• International Criminal Justice: Prosecutes individuals for serious international crimes.
• Tribunals: Special courts (e.g., for Yugoslavia, Rwanda) address crimes in specific conflicts.
• International Criminal Court: Tries individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, operating in cooperation with the UN but independently.

Security Council

• Responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with the power to authorize peacekeeping missions, sanctions, or military action.
• Comprises 15 members: five permanent with veto power and ten non-permanent elected for two-year terms.
• Can make binding decisions that all UN member states must follow.

Trusteeship Council

• Established to oversee the administration of trust territories and guide them to self-government or independence.
• Completed its mandate in 1994 when the last trust territory, Palau, gained independence.
• Remains as a formal organ but is currently inactive.

Problems with Effectiveness of the UN

• UNSC actions are often constrained, with delays or inaction during crises; notable failures include Rwanda, the Balkans, and more recent humanitarian emergencies.​
• Bureaucratic and political obstacles, as well as competing interests among powerful members, limit peacekeeping success and humanitarian impact.​
• As deadlocks persist and legitimacy declines, calls for transparency, reform, and better global representation grow louder.​

Problems with UNSC Membership

• The Council’s permanent membership is limited to five major powers, leaving key regions like Africa and populous countries such as India and Brazil excluded.​
• Developing countries and small states are consistently underrepresented, making the UNSC’s composition unfair and disconnected from today’s global realities.​
• Disagreements persist over what criteria—population, geography, economic power—should determine membership, stalling necessary reforms.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• Principal judicial organ, based in The Hague, that settles legal disputes between countries and gives advisory opinions.
• Composed of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the General Assembly and Security Council.
• Issues binding decisions on international legal matters brought before it.

General Assembly

• Main deliberative body where all 193 UN member states are represented, each with one vote.
• Debates and makes decisions on key international concerns, including peace, development, and human rights.
• Approves the UN budget, admits new members, and elects members to other organs and the Secretary-General.

Secretariat

• Coordinates day-to-day operations and communications across United Nations programs.

• Implements decisions, administers peacekeeping, and supports global diplomatic activities.​

• Gathers data, prepares reports, and serves as the UN’s executive office.