1. Pēteris Podvinskis
International Organisations Division, First Secretary
peteris.podvinskis@mfa.gov.lv, +371 67016124
February 26, 2016, Riga
Introduction to the United Nations System

2. United Nations Organization
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3. What is the UN?
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-The United Nations is an international organization founded
in 1945 for the peace, security and cooperation among
Nations.
-The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by
the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
-Currently has 193 Member States.
-Headquarters in New York City.
26 February 2016, Riga

4. History of the UN
- the League of Nations was the predecessor to the UN, it was
founded in1919 and was responsible for ensuring peace and
cooperation between world nations
- the term ‘’United Nations’’ was introduced in 1942 by Winston
Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt
- the UN was founded on October 24, 1945, when the Charter of
the UN came into force
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5. The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter
- to maintain international peace and security
- to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect
for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of
peoples
- to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural
and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms
- to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in
attaining these common ends
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6. Four areas that are the pillars of the UN
Peace and Security
Human Rights
The Rule of Law
Development
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7. UN System Chart
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8. General Assembly
• The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the
UN and is composed of representatives of all Member States
each of which has one vote.
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9. Security Council
• Under the Charter, the Security Council has primary
responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and
security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote.
Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply
with Council decisions.
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10. Economic and Social Council
• A founding UN Charter body established in 1946, the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the place where the
world’s economic, social and environmental challenges are
discussed and debated, and policy recommendations issued.
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11. Trusteeship Council
• The Trusteeship Council was established to provide
international supervision for 11 Trust Territories and to make
sure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the
Territories for self-government or independence.
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12. International Court of Justice
• The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial
organ of the United Nations. The Court is charged with
settling legal disputes between States and giving advisory
opinions to the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
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13. Secretariat
• The UN Secretariat, consisting of staff representing all
nationalities working in duty stations all over the world,
carries out the day to day work of the Organization. The
Secretariat services the other principal organs of the United
Nations and administers the programmes and policies
established by them.
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14. Regional Offices
Offices Outside the Main Headquarters:
- Geneva
- Vienna
- Nairobi
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15. Funds, Programmes,
Specialized Agencies and Others
• The UN system, also known unofficially as the "UN family", is
made up of the UN itself and many affiliated programmes,
funds, and specialized agencies, all with their own
membership, leadership, and budget. The programmes and
funds are financed through voluntary rather than assessed
contributions. The Specialized Agencies are independent
international organizations funded by both voluntary and
assessed contributions.
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16. Some facts about UN
• Provides food to 90 million people in 80 countries;
• Vaccinates 58 per cent of the world’s children, saving 3 million lives a year;
• Assists over 38.7 million refugees and people fleeing war, famine or
persecution;
• Works with 193 countries to combat climate change and make
development sustainable;
• Keeps peace with 120,000 peacekeepers in 16 operations on 4 continents;
• Fights poverty, helping improve the health and well-being of 420 million
rural poor;
• Protects and promotes human rights on site and through some 80
treaties/declarations;
• Mobilizes USD 22 billion in humanitarian aid to help people affected by
emergencies;
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17. Thank you for your attention!