The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the main judicial organ of the UN. Consisting of 15 judges elected jointly by the General Assembly and the Security Council, the Court decides disputes between countries. Participation by States in a proceeding is voluntary, but if a State agrees to participate, it is obligated to comply with the Court's decision. The Court also provides advisory opinions to the General Assembly and the Security Council upon request.

The Secretariat

The Secretariat carries out the substantive and administrative work of the United Nations as directed by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the other organs. At its head is the Secretary-General, who provides overall administrative guidance.

The Secretariat consists of departments and offices with a total staff of some 7,500 under the regular budget, and a nearly equal number under special funding. They are drawn from some 170 countries. Duty stations include UN Headquarters in New York, as well as UN offices in Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi and other locations.

(From the UN Web site - www.un.org)

Answer the following questions:

How can a country become a member of the UN?

What are the basic purposes of the UN?

What are the main topics that are considered by the General Assembly?

What are the functions of the Security Council?

How many members are there in the Security Council? Describe their status.

Speaking:

Given the large increase of the UN Member States since 1945 – especially developing countries – as well as the changes in international relations, Member States have recognized the need to review the membership of the Security Council. Proposals include increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members, rotating or sharing Council seats, modifying the veto power, and improving the Council's working methods.

One such proposal would increase membership from 15 to 24, by adding five permanent members without veto power (three developing States and two industrialized States), as well as four non-permanent members. This proposal would add Japan, Germany and three developing countries as permanent members. It has also been suggested that only non-permanent members be added, with periodic re-election of countries on the basis of their contribution to UN peacekeeping and development activities. Though none of these proposals has obtained overall agreement, the General Assembly is continuing its efforts to find an acceptable formula.

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