United Nations

Overview and Ambassador Duties

World Studies

What is the United Nations?

The United Nations has 193 member states.

When using international language rather than saying country the word state is used.

The United Nations was established on October 24th 1945 and had 51 members.

It replaced the League of Nations

Goals of the United Nations

To keep peace throughout the world. To develop friendly relations between nations. To help people live better lives, to eliminate

poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms.

To be a center for helping nations achieve these aims.

Goals Cont.

All Member States have sovereign equality. All Member States must obey the Charter. Countries must try to settle their differences by

peaceful means. Countries must avoid using force or threatening

to use force. The UN may not interfere in the domestic affairs

of any country. Countries should try to assist the United

Nations.

Member States

There are currently 193 Members of the United Nations. They meet in the General Assembly, which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has a single vote, however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding.

Headquarters

The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are international territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps. Six official languages are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The U.N. System

The Specialized Agencies, while part of the UN system, are separate, autonomous intergovernmental organizations which work with the UN and with each other.

Current President

President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly

H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann is President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly since 16 September 2008.

The President of the General Assembly runs the meeting using parliamentary procedure.

Current Secretary General

BAN KI-MOON Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea, the eighth

Secretary-General of the United Nations, brings to his post 37 years of service both in Government and on the global stage.

  The Secretary General is responsible for upholding the goals of the United Nations and speaking about each resolution.

Ambassador Duties

Address a current pressing issue in your country.

Give a formal written description of the problem, this is called a resolution.

Speak to the General Assembly about the resolution.

General Assembly

This refers to the 193 ambassadors that meet once a year for 3 months to discuss issues.