United NationsGEOG220 - Geopolitics

What is the United Nations?

• Inter-governmental International Organization comprised of 193 States (‘Nations’)

• Designed to bring about a safer and better world through common norms, dialogue, coordination and mutual assistance

Why is it called “United Nations” and which were these Nations?

• The name "United Nations", was first used by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

Initially designed by and for the Allied Powers (Italy accessed 1955, Japan 1956, Germany – East and West accessed only in 1973)

Reflective of the (historical) dominance of five key allied members: US, UK, France, Russia (USSR), China (Republic of China at the time, 1949 PRC => 1971 sole rep.)

When was the UN formed?

• Officially formed on 24 October 1945, following ratifications by P-5 of the Charter of the UN drafted at the UN Conference on International Organization in San Francisco attended by 50 nations and several non governmental organizations

• League of Nations dissolved in 1946

What are its official purposes?

1. To keep peace throughout the world;2. To develop friendly relations among nations;3. To help nations work together to improve the

lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;

4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

Where is the UN?

• Headquarters in New York (UNGA, UNSC, UNSG, UNDP, …)

• Many affiliate organizations across the world– Geneva (UNHCR, UNCHR), Roma (FAO, WFP),

Nairobi (UNEP)• Commissions in every major region• Peace-keeping and development missions on

an ad hoc basis (decisions by UNSC, UN agencies)

• The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the UN and is composed of representatives of all Member States. The work of the United Nations year-round derives largely from the mandates given by the General Assembly. A revitalization of the Assembly is under way to enhance its role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency.

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established by the UN Charter, is the principal organ to coordinate the economic, social and related work of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and institutions. Voting in the Council is by simple majority; each member has one vote.

• The International Court of Justice, located at the Hague in the Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions to the UN and its specialized agencies. Its Statute is an integral part of the United Nations Charter.

• The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. A reform of the Security Council, including its membership is under consideration.

• The Secretariat carries out the day-to-day work of the Organization. It services the other principal organs and carries out tasks as varied as the issues dealt with by the UN: administering peacekeeping operations, surveying economic and social trends, preparing studies on human rights, among others.

UN bodies

Advisory Subsidiary Body• United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (1)Programmes and Funds• International Trade Centre (ITC)• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR)• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

(UNCTAD)• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)• United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)• United Nations Volunteers (UNV)• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-

HABITAT)• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine

Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)• United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

Research and Training Institutes

• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)

• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

• United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)

• United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)

Other UN Entities• International Computing Centre (ICC)• Joint United Nations Programme on

HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)• United Nations Office for Project Services

(UNOPS)• United Nations System Staff College

(UNSSC)• United Nations University (UNU)• UN WomenIndependent bodies. World Bank Group

Major issues and common criticisms regarding the UN

• UN is only the collective expression of (some) of its member states

UN is blocked by P-5 veto power

• UN agencies are quasi-independent

• UN is over-funded … or … under-funded

• UN is a ‘big and ineffective bureaucracy’

UNSC andP-5 ‘veto power’

• Approval, abstention or veto (pre-veto)• The UN Charter does not explicitly mention

the P5’s veto power. Instead it stipulates that, for a resolution to pass, it must receive nine affirmative votes of the 15 member states on the Council, including the concurring votes of the P5. Hence, a negative vote cast by one or more of the P5 is, in essence, a veto.

UNSC- P5 veto: case of Syria

• Veto by both Russia and China– Russia:• Syrian regime a long-time ally of Russia (1949, strengthened

through Baas Party since 1954)• Last remaining Russian naval base on Mediterranean (Tartus),

large arms and gas deals• Learned lessons from Libya

– Alternative regime questionable– (Selectively) uphold principle of non-interference

UNSC- P5 veto: case of Syria

• Veto by both Russia and China– China:• learned lesson from Libya (abstained UNSCR 1973): see

domestically as acquiescence to the West, internationally as speculation on non-interference doctrine, limited appreciation by West or NTC (incl. problems to secure its FDI)• Reinforced China-Russia diplomatic cooperation (and

trade relations)• Prevented further precedent for UN-approved removal

of sovereign government in conflict with democratic opposition supported by the West

UN – Budget and Staffing

• http://www.foxnews.com/world/2009/09/17/budget-believe-billion/

“U.N. spendfest”=> Provide a critique

UN in comparative terms (US$)

• UN budget: 13 billion• US budget: 4,218 billion… Uruguay budget: 13.6 billion (ranked 84th)

… Canada’s military budget: 22.6 billion

Canada and the UN

• Major historical role regarding peacekeeping through Pearson

• Lead on several major treaties and initiatives (e.g. ban on land mines; UN expert panels

• Seventh largest contributor to the UN budget, at US$74 million, after the U.S., Japan, Germany, France, the U.K. [but recall: 0.3% of military budget though note many Canadian voluntary contributions]

How does Canada vote on global issues at the UN?

Can the UN bring abouta new political order?

• “International order” is an order of nation- states: “cannot get from here to there”

• Transformation of state power ?

Documentaries

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHmXZXsABm0Official UN introductory video• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVl_s1PxIkMainstream and a bit dated overview with good archives,

focused on peacekeeping• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuy4dFSD0tYExamining at the case of the DRC• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKW7d2-5I28Pro-US military interventionist from Voice of America pointing

at ‘UN’ failures (but that is failures from UNSC member states, esp. US)