UN Organs — Set 2

Correct Answer: D. Two-thirds majority

• **Two-thirds majority** = Decisions on important questions in the General Assembly require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. • **Two-thirds majority** — This specific majority is required for important questions such as peace, security, and the election of new members, while other routine matters are decided by a simple majority. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Simple majority: This applies to routine matters, not 'important questions'; Veto of P5: Veto power is exclusive to the Security Council's permanent members, not applicable in the General Assembly; Unanimous vote: While desirable, this is generally not a requirement for General Assembly decisions.

Correct Answer: A. Economic and Social Council

• **Economic and Social Council** = This UN organ, known as ECOSOC, coordinates the work of 15 specialized agencies and various functional commissions. • **15 specialized agencies** — ECOSOC acts as the central mechanism for UN system activities in social and economic fields, linking central organs with **15 specialized agencies** and promoting higher living standards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: General Assembly: This is the main deliberative body, not the coordinator of specialized agencies; Secretariat: This is the administrative organ, carrying out daily tasks; International Court of Justice: This is the judicial organ, settling legal disputes.

Correct Answer: D. Every two years

• **Every two years** = Non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a two-year term. • **Two-year term** — The General Assembly elects five non-permanent members each year, resulting in a **two-year term** for each of the ten non-permanent members, chosen based on equitable geographical distribution and ineligible for immediate re-election. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Every year: While five members are elected each year, their term is for two years; Every ten years: This period is far too long and incorrect for the election of non-permanent members; Every five years: This is the term for the Secretary-General, not non-permanent members.

Correct Answer: A. Only permanent members

• **Only permanent members** = The 'Veto Power' in the UN Security Council is exclusively exercised by its five permanent members (P5). • **Five permanent members** — The **five permanent members** (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the USA) can use their veto power to block any 'substantive' resolution, even if all other members vote in favor, though it does not apply to procedural votes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: All 15 members: Non-permanent members do not have veto power; Only non-permanent members: This is incorrect, non-permanent members do not possess veto power; Only the President: The Security Council President does not have individual veto power, only permanent members do.

Correct Answer: D. Secretariat

• **Secretariat** = This principal UN organ is composed of thousands of international staff members who carry out the substantive and administrative work. • **International staff members** — The Secretariat is comprised of **thousands of international staff members** recruited globally to ensure international representation, acting as international civil servants answerable only to the UN and directed by other organs. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: General Assembly: This body consists of member states' representatives, not international staff; Economic and Social Council: This body has 54 elected member states' representatives, not staff; Trusteeship Council: This body suspended operations and was composed of member states, not international staff.

Correct Answer: A. Six

• **Six** = The UN Charter, signed in 1945, established six principal organs to carry out the organization's work. • **1945** — This is the year the UN Charter was signed, officially establishing these organs. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Five]: Incorrect, there is one more principal organ besides five; [Four]: Incorrect, there are two more principal organs besides four; [Seven]: Incorrect, the UN Charter specifically established six principal organs, not seven.

Correct Answer: D. General Assembly

• **General Assembly** = This organ has the sole authority over the UN's financial matters, including budget approval and determining member contributions. • **Annual budget** — The General Assembly reviews and approves the UN's budget annually, submitted by the Secretary-General. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Security Council]: It is responsible for international peace and security, not budget approval; [Secretariat]: It manages daily administration and implements the budget, but does not approve it; [Economic and Social Council]: It deals with economic, social, and environmental issues, not the overall UN budget.

Correct Answer: A. Alphabetical order

• **Alphabetical order** = The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among its 15 member states based on the English alphabetical order of their names. • **Monthly** — The rotation of the presidency occurs every month, ensuring frequent leadership changes among member states. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Seniority]: The rotation is not based on how long a country has been a member or its diplomatic status; [Financial contribution]: A country's financial contribution to the UN does not determine its turn for the presidency; [Regional rotation]: While regional representation is important in UN structures, the Security Council presidency specifically follows alphabetical order.

Correct Answer: D. General Assembly

• **General Assembly** = This organ is often referred to as the 'Parliament of Nations' because it is the only one where all 193 member states have equal representation and a voice. • **193 member states** — All 193 UN member states are represented in the General Assembly, each having one vote. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Security Council]: This body focuses on peace and security and has 15 members, not all nations; [Secretariat]: This is the UN's administrative arm, not a deliberative body for all nations; [Economic and Social Council]: This organ has 54 members and focuses on economic and social issues, not universal representation.

Correct Answer: C. Nine years

• **Nine years** = Judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are elected for a term of nine years and are eligible for re-election. • **Every three years** — Elections are held every three years for one-third of the court's 15 judges, ensuring a staggered and continuous system. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Five years]: Incorrect, the term for ICJ judges is longer than five years; [Seven years]: Incorrect, the specified term length for ICJ judges is not seven years; [Lifetime]: Incorrect, ICJ judges are elected for fixed terms, not for life.