Question

Explain the composition and one function of any three organs of the United Nations.

Hint:

Always clearly divide each organ into two labeled subsections: Composition and Function. This structural clarity maximizes score retention.

Answer 1

Concept: The United Nations (UN) was established on October 24, 1945, under the UN Charter to prevent future global conflicts and foster international cooperation. The UN Charter establishes six principal organs to carry out its charter mandates.

Step 1: Organ 1: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Composition: The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. It is composed of representative delegates from all 193 member states of the United Nations, with each state having one equal vote regardless of its size, population, or wealth. Function: The UNGA discusses and passes resolutions on international peace, security, development, and international law. It approves the international UN budget and elects non-permanent members to other UN bodies.

Step 2: Organ 2: United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Composition: The Security Council consists of 15 member states. This includes 5 permanent members (P5: United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) possessing "veto power," and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year regional terms. Function: The Security Council has the primary responsibility under the UN Charter for maintaining international peace and security. It can authorize military peacekeeping operations, enforce mandatory international trade sanctions, and pass legally binding resolutions.

Step 3: Organ 3: International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Composition: Located at The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ consists of 15 independent judges elected for nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council voting simultaneously. No two judges can be nationals of the same state. Function: The ICJ acts as the principal judicial organ of the UN. It settles legal disputes submitted to it by member states in accordance with international law and gives advisory legal opinions on complex international legal issues submitted by authorized UN organs.