The headquarters of the United Nations (UN) is on the East River in New York. The organization was founded immediately after the Second World War as a successor to the pre-war League of Nations. The 51 founder states hoped to create the conditions for lasting global peace. In addition, they wanted to create an international platform for humanitarian aid and the protection of human rights. The UN Charter recognizes the sovereign equality of states and forbids the use of violence in international relations.
At present the intergovernmental organization has 192 member states. This means that almost every internationally recognized, independent country is a member of the organization. Decisions are taken by the General Assembly, in which all member states are represented, or by the Security Council. The latter organ is the highest level of administration, and apart from ten non-permanent elected members it also includes five permanent members who have the right of veto (the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom). In addition, numerous specialist organizations form part of the UN system, including the children’s fund Unicef, the cultural and scientific institution Unesco, the World Food Organization and the World Health Organization.
The Netherlands also accommodates several UN institutions.
Since 1946, The Hague has been the seat of the International Court of Justice, which deals with legal disputes between states. Moreover, in 2002 the International Criminal Court was established here, which is formally independent but which does cooperate closely with the United Nations. This court can prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both bodies are important for the further development of international law, which can impose fewer sanctions than national judicial systems.
Since its foundation, the UN’s objectives have lost none of their relevance. The importance of international cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and scientific sphere, the strengthening of the international legal system and ensuring international peace and security has only increased. Despite disappointments, the UN has achieved a great deal, amongst other things in the field of human rights, health care, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development. However, the demand for reform of the organization is becoming stronger. Due to the shortage of funds, but also because of excessive bureaucracy, its effectiveness leaves much to be desired.
