The six main organs of the United Nations (UN) are: The General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat. While UN Headquarters in New York City host much of the activity, the International Court of Justice convenes at The Hague in the Netherlands.

General Assembly

The General Assembly can initiate studies, host discussions, and make recommendations for the well-being of Member States. The General Assembly consists of representatives from each of the UN’s 193 Member States.


Security Council

The Security Council focuses on the maintenance and restoration of peace around the world. The Security Council includes 15 of the UN Member States. The five Members that have permanent representation on the Security Council are: Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The General Assembly elects the remaining ten Members.


Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) implements the UN’s economic, social, environmental, and development goals. The General Assembly elects 54 Members to serve on the ECOSOC.

Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council supervised 11 Trust Territories - seven in Africa and four in Oceania - after the Second World War. In 1994, the Trusteeship Council suspended its activity. The Trusteeship Council no longer administers any territories.

UN Trust Territories in Africa
Trust Territory European Administration End of Trusteeship Changes Modern State
Togoland Britain 1957 Togoland joins with the Gold Coast Ghana
Cameroons France 1960 Cameroon
Togoland France 1960 Togo
Somaliland Italy 1960 Trust Territory joins with British Somaliland Somalia
Cameroons Britain 1961 Northern territory joins Nigeria Nigeria
Southern territory joins Cameroon Cameroon
Tanganyika Britain 1961 Tanganyika joins with Zanzibar in 1964 Tanzania
Ruanda-Urundi Belgium 1962 Trust Territory becomes two independent States Rwanda
Burundi
British Administration
French Administration
Italian Administration
Belgian Administration
UN Trust Territories in Oceania
Trust Territory Administration End of Trusteeship Changes Modern State
Western Samoa New Zealand 1962 Western Samoa becomes independent, and in 1997, changes its name to Samoa Samoa
Nauru Australia 1968 Nauru
New Guinea Australia 1975 Trust Territory joins Papua Papua New Guinea
Pacific Islands United States 1990 Micronesia
Marshall Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
1994 Palau
New Zealand Administration
Australian Administration
American Administration

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) settles legal disputes that Member States submit, and also provides legal opinions to the United Nations and its agencies. The ICJ is the judicial body of the United Nations, and the highest international court. The 15 judges on the Court deliberate at the Peace Palace in The Hague.


Secretariat

The Secretariat consists of the Secretary-General, who is the head of the United Nations, and thousands of staff members all around the world.