United Nations Day 2024

  • 25 Oct 2024

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United Nations Day is celebrated each year on October 24 to mark the anniversary of the UN Charter's entry into force, aiming to raise awareness about the goals and achievements of the international body.

Key Highlights:

  • Purpose: Celebrates the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into effect on October 24, 1945, after World War II.
  • Goal: Raise awareness about the UN’s objectives and accomplishments.

UN Charter Overview

  • Signing & Implementation:
    • Signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco.
    • Came into effect on October 24, 1945.
    • India ratified the UN Charter on October 30, 1945.
  • Predecessor: The League of Nations, created in 1919 after WWI, aimed at promoting international cooperation and peace.
  • Content:
    • Foundational document of the UN, binding all member states.
    • Establishes principles of international relations, including equality of nations and the prohibition of force between countries.
    • Amended three times: 1963, 1965, and 1973.

UN's Core Objectives

  • Peace and Security: Maintaining global peace and preventing conflicts.
  • Humanitarian Aid: Providing assistance to those in need.
  • Human Rights: Protecting and promoting human rights globally.
  • International Law: Upholding the rule of law on the global stage.

Main Organs of the UN

  1. General Assembly (UNGA):
    • Comprises all 193 Member States, each with one vote.
    • Main policy-making body, addressing international issues covered by the UN Charter.
  2. Security Council (UNSC):
    • Consists of 15 members (5 permanent, 10 elected for two-year terms).
    • Permanent members: China, France, Russia, UK, USA.
    • India has been elected to the UNSC eight times.
  3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
    • Composed of 54 members elected by the General Assembly.
    • Coordinates policy and addresses economic, social, and environmental issues.
  4. Trusteeship Council:
    • Established to oversee trust territories transitioning to independence.
  5. International Court of Justice (ICJ):
    • The only international court resolving disputes between UN member states.
    • Handles contentious cases and provides advisory opinions.
  6. Secretariat:
    • Led by the Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly based on Security Council recommendations.
    • Acts as the chief administrative body of the UN.

Note: Most UN organs, including the UNGA, UNSC, ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council, and Secretariat, are based in New York, while the ICJ is located in The Hague, Netherlands.