How the United Nations works: General Assembly, Security Council and agencies

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The United Nations comes up in world news constantly, through votes, resolutions, peacekeeping, aid appeals and reports. It is easier to follow those stories once you know which part of the UN is involved and what powers it actually has. This guide explains the main bodies in plain terms.

The basics

The UN was founded in 1945 under the UN Charter, the treaty that sets out its purposes and rules. It has 193 member states. It is not a world government: it can act only as far as its members agree, and much of what it does depends on their political will and funding. The Charter created six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat. The Trusteeship Council suspended its work in 1994 after the last trust territory became independent.

The General Assembly

Every member state has one vote, whatever its size or population.
Ordinary decisions need a simple majority of those present and voting. Decisions on important questions, such as budget matters and admitting new members, need a two-thirds majority.
Most of its resolutions are recommendations, not legally binding on states, although they can carry political weight and shape international norms.
It approves the UN budget and decides how much each member contributes.
It elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council and, on the Council's recommendation, appoints the Secretary-General.
Each regular session opens in September, when world leaders gather in New York for the general debate.

The Security Council

The Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security.

Fifteen members. Five are permanent: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Ten are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, with five replaced each year.
Voting. Decisions need nine votes in favour. On substantive matters, a vote against by any permanent member blocks the decision; this is the veto. An abstention does not count as a veto.
Binding decisions. Under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council can impose measures that all member states are legally required to carry out, such as sanctions, and can authorise the use of force.
Presidency. The presidency rotates every month among members in English alphabetical order.

Because of the veto, the Council can be deadlocked on issues where permanent members disagree. Reform of its membership and voting is a long-running debate without agreement.

The Secretariat and the Secretary-General

The Secretariat is the UN's staff, led by the Secretary-General, who serves a five-year term that can be renewed. The Secretary-General is the organisation's chief administrator and public voice, can bring threats to peace to the Security Council's attention and often acts as a mediator, but cannot order member states to do anything.

The International Court of Justice

Based in The Hague, the ICJ settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions. It hears cases between states only, not individuals. It is separate from the International Criminal Court, which tries individuals and is not a UN organ.

Agencies, funds and programmes

Much of the UN's practical work is done by a wider family of bodies.

Specialised agencies such as the World Health Organization, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization are independent organisations with their own members, budgets and governing bodies, linked to the UN by agreement.
Funds and programmes such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme report to the UN system and rely mainly on voluntary contributions.
Other entities, such as the UN refugee agency, have their own mandates and also rely heavily on voluntary funding.

Reading UN news

Check which body acted. A General Assembly resolution and a Security Council resolution carry very different legal weight.
Look at the vote. Numbers for, against and abstaining tell you a lot.
Read the text. Resolutions are published on the UN's own website and summaries can leave out important wording.

Which part of the UN do you find hardest to follow in the news? Ask or share in the comments.