Principal Organs of the UN

The UN Charter established six principal organs that guide the organisation’s work and perform different functions in promoting international peace, security, development and justice. Although all six form part of the UN structure, they differ in their composition, powers and responsibilities. Most of the UN’s political decisions are made through cooperation among Member States. Some organs shape political positions, while others resolve legal disputes or coordinate the organisation’s day-to-day work. Together, they form the institutional foundation of the UN.

The General Assembly is the UN’s most representative organ, bringing together all 193 Member States. Each Member State has one vote, regardless of its size, population or economic capacity. This reflects the fundamental UN principle that all Member States are sovereign and equal. The General Assembly discusses international issues, adopts resolutions, approves the UN budget and elects members to several UN organs. It also appoints the UN Secretary-General upon the recommendation of the Security Council. Although General Assembly resolutions are generally not legally binding on Member States, they carry significant political weight. They help shape international norms, express the collective position of the world’s countries and guide the UN’s future work.

The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Unlike other UN organs, the Security Council can adopt decisions that are binding on Member States. The Council has 15 members. Five of them—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—are permanent members with the power of veto. The remaining ten members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, with consideration given to regional balance. The Security Council may impose sanctions, authorise peacekeeping operations, call for ceasefires or take other decisions necessary to restore international peace. However, a veto by a permanent member can prevent a resolution from being adopted even when it is supported by a majority of Council members.

The Economic and Social Council, or ECOSOC, coordinates the UN’s economic, social and development work. Its role is to promote international cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, education, health, employment, science, culture and human rights. The Council brings together Member States, UN programmes and specialised agencies and works closely with research institutions, businesses and civil society organisations. ECOSOC also grants consultative status to thousands of non-governmental organisations, enabling them to participate in the work of the UN.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the UN and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. It settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on questions of international law at the request of UN organs and specialised agencies. Only states may bring cases before the Court. Individuals, companies and organisations cannot file claims with it. The Court may also hear a dispute only if the states concerned have accepted its jurisdiction. The International Court of Justice has 15 judges, elected independently by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. The judges represent the world’s principal legal systems and serve nine-year terms.

The Secretariat is the organ responsible for the UN’s day-to-day work. It is led by the UN Secretary-General, the organisation’s chief administrative officer and its best-known public representative. Secretariat staff prepare meetings and reports, support peace operations, conduct research, provide legal and technical advice and help implement the decisions of UN organs. The Secretariat employs thousands of people from different countries and professional backgrounds. In addition to an administrative role, the Secretary-General has an important diplomatic function. The Secretary-General may draw the international community’s attention to problems, mediate conflicts and support peaceful solutions.

The Trusteeship Council was established to help UN Trust Territories move towards self-government or independence after the Second World War. Over the decades, all Trust Territories achieved independence or joined another state. The final Trust Territory, Palau in the Pacific Ocean, became independent in 1994. The Trusteeship Council then suspended its regular operations. The organ has not been formally abolished and, under the UN Charter, may be convened again if necessary.

Although each principal organ has its own functions, they do not operate independently of one another. The General Assembly elects members to several UN organs, approves the organisation’s budget and appoints the Secretary-General upon the recommendation of the Security Council. The Security Council works with the Secretariat to organise peacekeeping operations and may request advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice. The Economic and Social Council, in turn, coordinates the work of many UN programmes and specialised agencies and cooperates closely with civil society and other partners. This division of responsibilities enables the UN to address peace and security, development, human rights and international law at the same time.

Although the principal organs form the core of the UN, much of the organisation’s day-to-day work is entrusted to funds, programmes and specialised agencies. These bodies carry out many UN initiatives in health, education, humanitarian assistance, development cooperation and environmental protection. You can learn more about these organisations on the next page, “The UN System”.