Malcolm Rivera
The United Nations is an international group that was established in 1945 to promote international cooperation and world peace. It is headquartered in New York City and consists of six principal organs, one of which is the executive branch. The executive branch of the United Nations is the Security Council, which was established to serve as the upper house. The Security Council is responsible for authorizing actions such as economic sanctions, the use of force, or the deployment of peacekeeping troops. It is comprised of five permanent members, each of whom holds a veto power, and ten elected members who serve two-year terms.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The United Nations Security Council is the executive branch
- The UN Secretariat manages day-to-day operations
- The UN has 86,903 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping missions
- The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power
- The UN Charter outlines the responsibilities of the executive branch
The United Nations Security Council is the executive branch
The Security Council is tasked with maintaining international peace and security and authorizing actions such as economic sanctions, the use of force, or the deployment of peacekeeping troops. As of February 2023, the UN had 86,903 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping missions, with 121 countries contributing military personnel. The largest of these missions was the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which included 20,688 uniformed personnel.
The Security Council's effectiveness has been questioned by some, as there are often no consequences for violating its resolutions. For example, during the Darfur crisis, the Sudanese government allowed Janjaweed militias to commit violence against indigenous people, killing thousands of civilians. Similarly, in the Srebrenica massacre, Serbian troops committed genocide against Bosniaks, despite Srebrenica being declared a UN safe area protected by Dutch peacekeepers.
Despite these criticisms, the Security Council remains a crucial component of the United Nations, providing a platform for international cooperation and decision-making on global peace and security issues.
Antifederalists' Constitution Influence: Their Greatest Achievements
You may want to see also
The UN Secretariat manages day-to-day operations
The United Nations Secretariat is the executive arm of the United Nations (UN). It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. The Secretariat plays a crucial role in setting the agenda for the UN's deliberative and decision-making bodies, which include the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Security Council. It is also responsible for implementing the decisions of these bodies.
The Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly, is the head of the Secretariat. The Secretary-General has the sole authority to appoint staff members to the Secretariat, drawing from a diverse pool of talent from over 190 nationalities. As of 31 December 2022, the UN Secretariat had a staff strength of 36,791 across 474 duty stations. The Secretariat's mandate is broad and encompasses a wide range of issues, including diplomacy, peacekeeping, human rights, and development.
The Secretariat's structure consists of sections, units, and offices, each with specific responsibilities. For instance, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG/CAAC), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) are all part of the Secretariat. The Secretariat also includes offices dedicated to specific issues such as sexual violence in conflict, violence against children, disarmament, disaster risk reduction, and outer space affairs.
The Secretariat has undergone several reforms over the years to enhance its effectiveness. In 2005, Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed reforms that included the appointment of a scientific adviser, the creation of a peacebuilding support office, and the establishment of a cabinet-style decision-making mechanism. The Secretariat also promulgated an administrative instruction on "Special Measures for the Achievement of Gender Equality" to ensure compliance with the gender equality target mandated by the General Assembly. These measures reflect the dynamic and adaptive nature of the Secretariat in responding to evolving global challenges.
Executive Branch: How Many Departments Does It Have?
You may want to see also
The UN has 86,903 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping missions
The United Nations Secretariat is the executive branch of the UN. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is responsible for setting the agenda for the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Security Council. The secretary-general, who is appointed by the General Assembly, is the head of the secretariat. The secretariat has undergone extensive reforms since its creation, with former Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposing several initiatives in 2005, including the appointment of a scientific advisor, the creation of a peacebuilding support office, and the establishment of a cabinet-style decision-making mechanism.
The UN's role in peacekeeping is a critical aspect of its activities. As of June 2022, 120 countries contributed a total of 74,892 personnel in peacekeeping operations, with Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Rwanda, and Pakistan being the top five contributors. In addition to military and police personnel, international and local civilian personnel, as well as UN volunteers, play a crucial role in these missions.
The protection of civilians is a key mandate of UN peacekeeping forces, and they work to maintain peace and security, assist in disarmament, and support democratic processes. UN peacekeeping operations have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of renewed warfare and the displacement of civilians. The presence of female military personnel brings unique skills and perspectives to these operations, enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.
While UN peacekeeping has had notable successes, there have also been challenges. Reports of human rights abuses and increases in prostitution and sex abuse in areas where peacekeeping forces are deployed have surfaced. Additionally, the cost of these missions can be significant, with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) costing $1 billion per year. Nonetheless, UN peacekeeping provides stability in crisis zones and has advantages such as international legitimacy and flexible financial systems.
Shadow Health: Constitutional Health Questions Answered
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power
The United Nations Security Council is the premier global body for maintaining international peace and security. It is the UN's principal crisis-management body, empowered to impose binding obligations on its 193 member states to maintain peace. The Security Council's fifteen members include five permanent members and ten elected members. The five permanent members are the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the P5. These five members hold veto power, which means they can veto any decision other than a "procedural" decision. A procedural" decision includes changing the meeting agenda or inviting a non-member to a UNSC meeting.
The roots of the P5's privileged status can be traced back to the founding of the United Nations in the aftermath of World War II. The United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) were the outright victors of the war and, along with the United Kingdom, played a significant role in shaping the postwar political order. As the plans for what would become the United Nations took shape, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt insisted on the inclusion of the Republic of China (Taiwan), envisioning international security overseen by "four policemen." British Prime Minister Winston Churchill supported France's inclusion as a European buffer against potential German or Soviet aggression, thus sponsoring its bid for restored great-power status.
The veto power held by the permanent members of the Security Council has been a subject of debate and criticism. Supporters argue that the veto is necessary to prevent the breakdown of the United Nations, as enforcing binding action against a permanent member could lead to instability. Russia and China view the veto as a promoter of international stability and a check against military interventions. However, critics argue that the veto is undemocratic and the main cause of inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity. They contend that it effectively prevents UN action against the permanent members, allowing them to promote their political self-interest or geopolitical interests above the protection of civilians.
There have been calls for reform to the Security Council's veto power to address these concerns. Proposals include limiting the use of the veto to vital national security issues, requiring agreement from multiple states before exercising the veto, or even abolishing it entirely. The "Small Five" (S5), consisting of Costa Rica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Singapore, and Switzerland, have advocated for permanent members to refrain from using their veto in cases of genocide and large-scale human rights abuses. Additionally, the cross-regional group Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) aims to enhance the Council's effectiveness by improving its working methods and putting constraints on the use of the veto.
The Supreme Court's Power: Understanding the Supremacy Clause
You may want to see also
The UN Charter outlines the responsibilities of the executive branch
The United Nations Secretariat is the executive arm of the United Nations. It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and plays a crucial role in setting the agenda for the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the Security Council. The Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly, heads the Secretariat. The Secretariat's mandate is broad, and it has the power to introduce new ideas and initiatives. It is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the United Nations and ensuring the implementation of the decisions of the deliberative and decision-making bodies.
The executive branch is also responsible for addressing ongoing issues such as economics, finance, social, cultural, and humanitarian concerns, as well as legal problems. The General Assembly, which is the main body of the UN, has standing committees that tackle these issues. Additionally, the Economic and Social Council has committees addressing a wide range of topics, including the status of women and the environment.
The UN Charter also emphasizes gender equality within the Secretariat. In 1999, the Secretariat issued an administrative instruction on "Special Measures for the Achievement of Gender Equality," which aligns with the UN Charter's Articles 8 and 101 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. This aim was reiterated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his 2012 annual report, where he stated that special measures would be in effect until "the goal of gender parity is achieved."
Furthermore, the executive branch has undergone reforms over the years to enhance its effectiveness. In 2005, Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed several reforms, including the appointment of a scientific adviser, the creation of a peacebuilding support office, and strengthening the mediation function. These reforms aimed to improve the decision-making process and adapt to new challenges.
Constitutional Constraints on Taxation Powers: Limits and Extent
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The United Nations Secretariat is the executive branch of the United Nations. It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and is led by the secretary-general, who is appointed by the General Assembly.
The executive branch of the UN, or the United Nations Secretariat, is responsible for setting the agenda for the UN's decision-making bodies and implementing their decisions. The decision-making bodies include the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and Security Council.
The United Nations Security Council, or simply the Security Council, is often referred to as the "upper house" of the United Nations. It is responsible for authorizing actions such as economic sanctions, the use of force, and the deployment of peacekeeping troops.
The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent members—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia (originally the Soviet Union)—and ten members elected to two-year terms by the General Assembly.
The United Nations has been involved in numerous peacekeeping missions around the world. Some examples include the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which included over 20,000 uniformed personnel, and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which has been active in the Middle East since 1948.
