UNderstanding the UN: Getting to the Basics

UN Security Council
The United Nations has been in New York since 1946, making it one of New York’s most well known sites. While it’s sheer size is enough to draw attention, who’s involved and what goes on inside the United Nations?
What is the role of the General Assembly?
There are 193 nation members of the General Assembly. Each nation that is a part of the UN gets one vote. The General Assembly is important because this is the one area in which all nation members have equal representation. The role of the General Assembly varies, but the main role is that the General Assembly votes on high-level appointments such as the UN secretary general and oversees six committees that meet year-round at the United Nations.
What is the UN Secretary General?
The UN Secretary General can be thought of as a ‘world moderator’. The Secretary General is the “chief administrative officer” of the UN in all meetings of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council. They’re responsible for making an annual report to the General Assembly and can alert the Security Council to matters which they believe threaten international peace and security. The current Secretary General is Antonio Guterres, who has held this position since 2017. This position has a term length of 5 years and has a two-term limit.
What are the six committees that meet year-round at the United Nations?
Disarmament and International Security: This committee deals with global challenges and threats to peace.
Economic and Financial: This committee deals with issues relating to economic growth and development which includes sustainable development, eradication of poverty and a move toward global partnerships.
Social, Humanitarian & Cultural: This committee focuses on human rights issues. They also discuss questions relating to the advancement of women, protection of children, treatment of refugees and the promotion of fundamental freedoms.
Special Political & Decolonization: This committee focuses on issues covering five main decolonization-related issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the effects of atomic radiation.
Administrative & Budgetary: This committee is responsible for maintaining the administrative and budgetary aspects of UN Peacekeeping.
Legal: This committee is a forum for all legal questions in the General Assembly. Each member state is entitled to representation in this committee.
How many councils are there?
There are six main councils. The Security Council is most well-known. This council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
How does the Security Council work?
There are 15 members, 5 permanent and 10-non-permanent members, and each member has one, equally weighted, vote. The five permanent nations that sit on this council are the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom. Each of these nations has a veto power.
When the council votes on a resolution, there must be 9 votes for yes, but absolutely no veto. These resolutions are binding, international law.
This council meets all year long and advocates for women’s security in conflicts; imposes sanctions and other legal tools to enforce resolutions; negotiates peace treaties; issues public statements and holds public and private meetings regarding peace and security matters. This council works closely with the UN Secretary General on carrying out policies and procedures related to peace and security.
What is the United Nations General Assembly?
Aside from causing major traffic jams, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is a meeting of leaders from across the globe who promote their country and commitment (or lack thereof) to the United Nations. Lasting nearly two weeks, the UNGA will focus this year on climate change, with the climate change summit taking place September 23rd. There’ll be talks of sustainable development goals meant to end poverty and improve the lives of the everyone.
Talks will continue on issues ranging from global warming to education.
What councils does the United States sit on?
The US sits on all councils except the Human Rights Council, which it quit in 2018.
Who is our current US-UN ambassador?
Kelly Knight Craft, the former Canadian ambassador, will make her debut appearance as the US-UN ambassador during UNGA.
More information on Kelly Knight Craft at PassBlue.