LegiStorm

Summary:

The United Nations (U.N.) system is a group of interconnected entities that includes the United Nations itself, U.N. specialized agencies, U.N. peacekeeping operations, U.N. funds and programs, and other related bodies. Entities within the U.N. system may set international standards on various matters; provide humanitarian and development assistance to populations in need; monitor human rights situations; adopt sanctions; and establish peacekeeping missions, among other activities. The United States played a key role in establishing the United Nations in 1945, and remains its largest financial contributor. This report addresses frequently asked questions regarding the U.N. system, some of which are summarized below. How is the U.N. system structured? U.N. system entities have different mandates, structures, leadership, and financing mechanisms. Key parts include the following: • The United Nations. The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization composed of 193 member states. Its founding document is the U.N. Charter, an international treaty to which the United States is a party. The United Nations includes the 193-member General Assembly (the organization’s plenary body); the 15-member Security Council (mandated to maintain international peace and security); and the Secretariat (the U.N. executive and administrative body), which is led by the Secretary-General. • U.N. specialized agencies. The U.N. system has 15 specialized agencies, each of which is a legally independent intergovernmental organization with its own mandate, constitution, rules, membership, and budgets. Examples include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), and World Health Organization (WHO). • U.N. funds and programs. U.N. funds and programs are established by the General Assembly and have a specific purpose. Examples include the U.N. Children’s Fund and the World Food Program. How is the U.N. system funded? The U.N. Charter requires each U.N. member state to contribute to the expenses of the organization. Each body is funded through assessed or voluntary contributions from U.N. members (or a combination of both). Assessed contributions are required dues, the payment of which is a legal obligation accepted by a country when it becomes a member. The U.N. regular budget, U.N. peacekeeping, and U.N. specialized agencies are funded through assessed contributions. Voluntary contributions fund U.N. funds, programs, and other entities. What is U.N. peacekeeping? The United Nations currently operates 11 U.N. peacekeeping missions worldwide, with more than 70,000 personnel from over 100 countries. The mandates of these missions vary; they may include protecting civilians, disarming violent groups, monitoring human rights violations, and/or assisting in delivering humanitarian assistance. The Security Council is responsible for establishing and renewing each operation, as well as determining the missions’ mandates and budgets. The United States, as a permanent Security Council member, plays a key role in shaping U.N. peacekeeping missions. It is also the largest financial contributor. What is U.N. reform? Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has undergone a range of reforms as governments seek to improve the organization’s effectiveness. Generally, U.N. reform is achieved by amending the U.N. Charter or undertaking various non-charter reforms. A charter amendment, which requires approval by two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratification of two-thirds of U.N. members (including the five permanent Security Council members), is rarely used and has been practiced on few occasions. Non-charter reforms, which include General Assembly action or initiatives by the U.N. Secretary-General, are more common and easier to implement. How does the United States participate in the U.N. system? U.S. participation in and funding of the United Nations is authorized through the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (P.L. 79-264, as amended). The United States is a member of the General Assembly and a permanent member of the Security Council. It is also a member of 12 of the 15 U.N. specialized agencies. U.S. representatives/nationals are often elected to leadership positions on U.N. boards, councils, and other bodies. Congress can influence U.S. policy at the United Nations by using a range of tools and mechanisms, the foremost of which is withholding or conditioning U.S. funding to U.N. bodies. In addition, Congress holds hearings on U.N. issues, enacts related reporting requirements, and confirms U.S. representatives to U.N. entities.