The United Nations was established to provide a forum for international cooperation and to solve global problems that affect all countries. Its work is year-round and multilateral in nature. The UN’s decisions are based on the General Assembly’s input, which is made up of representatives of all Member States, with each country having one vote.
It also established the Security Council, whose primary responsibility is the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council is composed of five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – and ten non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Decisions of the Security Council require an affirmative vote of at least nine members, including all five permanent members. This is called the veto power.
Among the many other purposes the Charter outlined were respect for the principle of the equal rights and self-determination of all peoples and international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, educational and health issues worldwide. The Charter lays down principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of any state and of avoiding all interference in its external relations, except when it is necessary to protect the interests of its citizens.
It also establishes the Trusteeship Council, which is responsible for administering the trust territories in accordance with the terms of the relevant trusteeship agreements. In addition, it guarantees the Organization in the territory of each Member State such legal capacity as may be necessary for the performance of its functions and the fulfilment of its goals.