Formation of the United Nations
Date of Establishment
The United Nations (UN) was officially formed on October 24, 1945, when its charter
was ratified by a majority of signatory nations, including the five permanent members of
the UN Security Council.
This day is now celebrated as United Nations Day.
Four Key Conferences Leading to the Formation of the UN
1. Atlantic Charter (August 14, 1941)
Signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA) and Winston Churchill (UK).
Outlined the vision for post-war peace and security.
Established principles like no territorial expansion, self-determination, free trade, and
disarmament.
This charter later influenced the formation of the UN.
2. Declaration of the United Nations (January 1, 1942)
Signed by 26 Allied nations, including the USA, UK, USSR, and China.
They pledged to continue fighting against the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) and
not sign separate peace treaties.
The term "United Nations" was used for the first time here, coined by Roosevelt.
3. Dumbarton Oaks Conference (August 21 – October 7, 1944)
Held in Washington, D.C., at Dumbarton Oaks.
Representatives from the USA, UK, USSR, and China drafted the basic framework for
the UN.
Key points discussed:
o Structure of the General Assembly and Security Council.
o Role of the Secretary-General.
o Need for an international court.
4. Yalta Conference (February 4–11, 1945)
Held in Yalta (USSR, now in Crimea, Ukraine).
Attended by the three big powers: USA (Roosevelt), UK (Churchill), and USSR
(Stalin).
Finalized major details for the UN, including:
o The voting system for the Security Council (giving permanent members veto
power).
o Decided to hold the San Francisco Conference to draft the UN Charter.
San Francisco Conference (April 25 – June 26, 1945)
50 countries met in San Francisco, USA to draft the United Nations Charter.
The charter was officially signed on June 26, 1945.
The Three Big Powers Involved in the UN’s Formation
1. United States – President Franklin D. Roosevelt (later succeeded by Harry S.
Truman in April 1945).
2. United Kingdom – Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
3. Soviet Union (USSR) – Leader Joseph Stalin.
Difference Between Aims and Objectives of the UN
Aims (Broad Goals of the UN)
Aims are general purposes that the UN strives to achieve globally.
1. To maintain international peace and security.
2. To develop friendly relations among nations.
3. To promote and protect human rights.
4. To encourage global economic and social progress.
5. To provide humanitarian aid during crises.
6. To uphold international law and justice.
Objectives (Specific Actions to Achieve Aims)
Objectives are practical steps taken to fulfill the UN’s aims.
1. Deploy peacekeeping forces in conflict zones to prevent wars and maintain stability.
2. Facilitate diplomatic negotiations and treaties to resolve international disputes.
3. Implement and monitor human rights conventions through the UN Human Rights
Council.
4. Support economic development programs via agencies like the IMF, World Bank, and
UNDP.
5. Coordinate disaster relief efforts through organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and WFP.
6. Enforce international law through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and
tribunals.
The Six Main Organs of the United Nations (UN)
1. General Assembly (GA)
2. Security Council (UNSC)
3. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
4. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
5. Trusteeship Council (Inactive since 1994)
6. Secretariat
Secretary-General: António Guterres
President of the General Assembly: Philemon Yang
current president of the Trusteeship Council is James Kariuki.
President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Bob Rae
President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ): Yuji Iwasawa
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
1. Headquarters: New York City, USA
2. Expanded Form: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
3. Date of Formation: October 24, 1945 (along with the formation of the UN)
Any Four Functions of the UN General Assembly
1. Discusses and makes recommendations on global issues like peace, security, human
rights, and development.
2. Elects non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, judges of the
International Court of Justice, and appoints the Secretary-General (on the Security
Council’s recommendation).
3. Approves the UN budget and allocates financial contributions to different UN
programs and agencies.
4. Adopts international treaties, declarations, and resolutions that guide global
policies.
Application-Based Question
📝 Question:
The UN General Assembly does not have the power to enforce its resolutions like the Security
Council. However, it plays a major role in shaping international policies.
👉 If a country violates a General Assembly resolution on human rights, what steps can the
Assembly take to address the situation?
Composition of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
1. Total Members: 193 member states (all recognized sovereign nations of the UN).
2. Representation: Each member country has one vote, regardless of size or power.
3. Sessions:
o Regular Session: Begins every year in September at the UN Headquarters in New
York City.
o Special Sessions: Can be called to address urgent global issues.
4. President of the General Assembly (PGA): Elected annually by member states.
5. Committees: The GA has six main committees, each handling different global issues:
o First Committee (Disarmament & International Security - DISEC)
o Second Committee (Economic & Financial - ECOFIN)
o Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural - SOCHUM)
o Fourth Committee (Special Political & Decolonization - SPECPOL)
o Fifth Committee (Administrative & Budgetary)
o Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs)