Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 — International Organisations
Welcome to HSLC Guru. This article covers the complete English-medium notes and question-answers for Class 12 Political Science (Part A — Contemporary World Politics) Chapter 4 “International Organisations” prescribed by ASSEB (Assam State School Education Board). Students preparing for the AHSEC / ASSEB Higher Secondary Final examination will find the NCERT textbook questions, additional short and long answer questions, multiple-choice questions, key terms and a summary of the United Nations and other major international bodies in this lesson.
About the Chapter
International organisations are bodies established by states to facilitate cooperation, manage common problems, prevent conflicts and promote peace and development. They are not a world government but they help member states cooperate on issues no single nation can handle alone — disease, climate change, terrorism, trade, and human rights. This chapter discusses why nations need international organisations, the structure and functioning of the United Nations (UN), the demand for UN reforms, India’s claim to a permanent seat in the Security Council, and the role of other organisations such as the World Bank, IMF, WTO, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, IAEA and Amnesty International.
Summary
The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War, replacing the failed League of Nations. Its headquarters are in New York City, and the founding charter was signed by 51 nations; today it has 193 member states. The four main purposes of the UN are: maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems, and serve as a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.
The UN has six principal organs: the General Assembly (the deliberative body where every member state has one vote), the Security Council (responsible for maintaining peace and security, with 15 members — 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (coordinates economic, social and humanitarian work), the Trusteeship Council (suspended operations in 1994 after Palau gained independence), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located at The Hague, and the Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General.
The Security Council has five permanent members — the United States of America, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France — each with veto power. Reform of the UN, particularly the Security Council, has been demanded since the end of the Cold War. Calls for reform focus on expanding permanent and non-permanent membership, increasing representation from Asia, Africa and Latin America, and limiting the veto. India has been a strong contender for a permanent seat on the basis of its population, contribution to UN peacekeeping, growing economy and consistent commitment to the UN Charter.
Apart from the UN, several specialised agencies and other bodies regulate international life: the World Bank (lends for development projects), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) (oversees the global financial system and provides loans for balance-of-payments problems), the World Trade Organization (WTO) (sets the rules of international trade), the World Health Organization (WHO) (international public health), UNICEF (children’s welfare), UNESCO (education, science and culture), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (peaceful use of nuclear energy), and Amnesty International (a non-governmental human rights watchdog). Together with the UN they form the institutional architecture of the contemporary world order.
সাৰাংশ
দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধৰ পিছত ১৯৪৫ চনৰ ২৪ অক্টোবৰ তাৰিখে ৰাষ্ট্ৰসংঘ (United Nations) স্থাপন কৰা হয়। ইয়াৰ মুখ্য কাৰ্যালয় নিউয়ৰ্কত অৱস্থিত আৰু বৰ্তমান ১৯৩খন দেশ ইয়াৰ সদস্য। ৰাষ্ট্ৰসংঘৰ ছটা প্ৰধান অংগ আছে — সাধাৰণ পৰিষদ, নিৰাপত্তা পৰিষদ, অৰ্থনৈতিক আৰু সামাজিক পৰিষদ, অছিদাৰিত্ব পৰিষদ, আন্তৰ্জাতিক ন্যায়ালয় আৰু সচিবালয়। নিৰাপত্তা পৰিষদৰ পাঁচজন স্থায়ী সদস্য হ’ল আমেৰিকা যুক্তৰাষ্ট্ৰ, ৰাছিয়া, চীন, যুক্তৰাজ্য আৰু ফ্ৰান্স; এওঁলোকৰ ভেটো ক্ষমতা আছে। ১৯৯০ৰ দশকৰ পিছৰ পৰা ৰাষ্ট্ৰসংঘ, বিশেষকৈ নিৰাপত্তা পৰিষদৰ সংস্কাৰৰ দাবী জনাই আহিছে আৰু ভাৰতে ইয়াত স্থায়ী আসন বিচাৰিছে। ৰাষ্ট্ৰসংঘৰ উপৰিও বিশ্ব বেংক, আই-এম-এফ, বিশ্ব বাণিজ্য সংস্থা, বিশ্ব স্বাস্থ্য সংস্থা, ইউনিচেফ, ইউনেস্কো, আই-এ-ই-এ আৰু এমনেষ্টি ইন্টাৰনেচনেলৰ দৰে সংগঠনে আন্তৰ্জাতিক জীৱনৰ বিভিন্ন দিশ পৰিচালনা কৰে।
NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
Q1. Why do you think we need international organisations?
Answer: We need international organisations for the following reasons:
- They help nations cooperate to solve common problems such as poverty, disease, climate change and terrorism that no single country can solve alone.
- They help in maintaining international peace and security by providing a forum for negotiation and conflict resolution.
- They produce information and ideas, set norms, and provide technical and financial assistance to poorer states.
- They help member states make better-informed decisions and enforce certain agreements and rules of conduct.
- They are essential when wars happen because they help in establishing peace, providing humanitarian aid, and rebuilding war-torn societies.
Q2. Match the following:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| (a) International Monetary Fund | (i) Promotes international trade |
| (b) Amnesty International | (ii) Defends human rights |
| (c) World Trade Organization | (iii) Stabilises international financial system |
| (d) International Atomic Energy Agency | (iv) Peaceful uses of nuclear energy |
Answer: (a) — (iii); (b) — (ii); (c) — (i); (d) — (iv).
Q3. The UN has not been able to prevent wars and conflict in the world. Yet member states have not abolished it. Why?
Answer: Although the UN has not been fully able to prevent wars and conflicts, member states have not abolished it because:
- The UN is the only universal organisation that brings 193 member states together for dialogue.
- It plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, providing humanitarian aid, conducting peacekeeping operations and rebuilding war-affected societies.
- It addresses many global issues — health (WHO), children (UNICEF), education and culture (UNESCO), nuclear use (IAEA), refugees (UNHCR) — through its specialised agencies.
- It provides a forum for smaller and weaker states to voice their concerns equally with larger powers.
- It produces information, norms, technical and financial assistance.
- In its absence there would be no equally legitimate platform for global cooperation, so countries continue to need it.
Q4. How is the UN Secretary-General chosen? Find out and learn more about the role of the Secretary-General.
Answer: The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, usually for a five-year renewable term. The position rotates among regions of the world. The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the UN and is the public face of the organisation. Roles include: (i) administering the UN Secretariat; (ii) bringing matters threatening international peace to the attention of the Security Council; (iii) using “good offices” for mediation in conflicts; (iv) representing the UN in international affairs; (v) submitting an annual report on the work of the organisation. The current Secretary-General is António Guterres of Portugal.
Q5. Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council. Comment.
Answer: Reforming the UN cannot be reduced only to restructuring of the Security Council, but it is its most important component because the Security Council is the most powerful UN organ. The reform debate has two broad aspects:
- Reform of organisation and structure: Expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership; better representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America; review of the veto power held only by the P-5; making the Council more democratic and transparent.
- Reform of jurisdiction and principles: Reviewing the principles guiding UN action; ensuring it acts on the will of the majority and not just the great powers; expanding focus on terrorism, environment and human rights; improving the budget and personnel system.
Hence, although Security Council reform is the most visible part, UN reform is a much larger process covering all of these areas.
Q6. How would you reform the structure and functioning of the Security Council?
Answer: The Security Council should be reformed by:
- Increasing the number of permanent members to give representation to all regions, including Asia (India, Japan), Africa, and Latin America (Brazil).
- Increasing the number of non-permanent members so that small and developing states are better represented.
- Restricting or abolishing the veto power, or making it conditional, so that one nation cannot block urgent collective action.
- Making the working of the Council more transparent and democratic.
- Bringing under its agenda emerging issues such as terrorism, climate change, pandemics and human rights violations.
- Strengthening accountability of the Council to the General Assembly.
Q7. What are the difficulties that you would face if you were to reform the UN structure including its Security Council?
Answer: The major difficulties include:
- The five permanent members enjoy veto power and are unwilling to share or surrender it.
- Different regional and political groups have different and often conflicting criteria for selecting new permanent members.
- Rivalries between potential candidates — for example, India faces opposition from Pakistan, Japan from China, Germany from Italy, Brazil from Argentina.
- Disagreement on whether new members should also have veto power.
- Lack of consensus among 193 member states with very diverse interests.
- Powerful members fear loss of influence over global decision-making.
Q8. Mention the names of various agencies of the UN.
Answer: Some major agencies of the UN are:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- World Bank
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Q9. “If the UN was a more democratic organisation, it would be a more effective.” Do you agree with the statement? Give arguments.
Answer: Yes, a more democratic UN would be more effective. Arguments in favour:
- Decisions taken with broad participation of all members would carry greater legitimacy.
- The veto held only by the P-5 currently allows a single state to block decisions backed by the entire membership; removing or limiting it would make the UN more responsive.
- Equitable representation of Asia, Africa and Latin America would reflect contemporary realities.
- Democratisation would reduce the perception that the UN is dominated by Western powers and would increase compliance.
- A democratic UN would be better placed to handle global problems such as terrorism, climate change and pandemics.
However, even with democracy, effectiveness also depends on member states honouring their commitments and providing resources.
Q10. Write a short note on India and the UN.
Answer: India was a founder member of the United Nations, having signed the UN Declaration in 1942 and the UN Charter in 1945. India has consistently supported the principles and purposes of the UN. It has actively participated in UN peacekeeping operations and is among the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping. India served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight times. India strongly supports the cause of decolonisation, disarmament, and the rights of developing nations through the UN. India is also a strong contender for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council on grounds of its huge population, growing economy, regular financial contributions, and commitment to peace.
Short Answer Questions
Q1. When and where was the United Nations established?
Answer: The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945. Its headquarters are in New York City, USA.
Q2. How many member states does the UN have at present?
Answer: The UN has 193 member states at present. South Sudan, which joined in 2011, is the most recent member.
Q3. Name the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Answer: The five permanent members are the United States of America, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France.
Q4. What is veto power?
Answer: Veto is the special voting power held by each of the five permanent members of the Security Council. A negative vote by any permanent member can block a substantive resolution even if all other members vote in favour.
Q5. What are the six principal organs of the UN?
Answer: The six principal organs are: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), and Secretariat.
Q6. Where is the International Court of Justice located?
Answer: The International Court of Justice is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Q7. What is the function of the World Bank?
Answer: The World Bank provides loans, technical assistance and policy advice to developing countries to fight poverty and finance projects in education, health, infrastructure, agriculture and the environment.
Q8. What does the IMF do?
Answer: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) oversees the international monetary system, monitors exchange rates, gives short-term loans to countries facing balance-of-payments problems and provides technical assistance.
Q9. What is the role of the WTO?
Answer: The World Trade Organization (WTO) sets global rules of trade, negotiates trade agreements among nations and resolves trade disputes. It was established in 1995 as a successor to GATT.
Q10. What is Amnesty International?
Answer: Amnesty International is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that campaigns for the protection of human rights worldwide. It publishes reports on violations and pressurises governments and international agencies to take corrective action.
Q11. What is the IAEA?
Answer: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), set up in 1957, promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and works to prevent the misuse of nuclear technology for military purposes. Its headquarters are in Vienna.
Q12. What is the work of UNICEF and UNESCO?
Answer: UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) works for the welfare, health, nutrition and education of children worldwide, especially in developing countries. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) promotes peace through cooperation in education, science, culture and communication.
Q13. Why does India deserve a permanent seat in the Security Council?
Answer: India deserves a permanent seat because it is the world’s largest democracy, has the largest population, contributes regularly to the UN budget, has been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, and represents a major emerging economy of the developing world.
Q14. Why was the Trusteeship Council suspended?
Answer: The Trusteeship Council was suspended on 1 November 1994 because all eleven Trust Territories had attained self-government or independence; Palau, the last one, became independent in October 1994.
Q15. Who is the present Secretary-General of the UN?
Answer: António Guterres of Portugal is the present (ninth) Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Discuss the structure and functions of the United Nations.
Answer: The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945, after the Second World War, with the aim of saving “succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” It has 193 member states. Its structure consists of six principal organs:
- General Assembly: All member states are represented; each has one vote. It debates international issues and makes recommendations on peace, security, budget and admission of new members.
- Security Council: Has 15 members — 5 permanent (USA, Russia, China, UK, France) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent elected for two-year terms. It has primary responsibility for international peace and security.
- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Coordinates economic, social, cultural, educational and humanitarian work of the UN and its specialised agencies.
- Trusteeship Council: Was created to supervise the administration of Trust Territories. Suspended in 1994.
- International Court of Justice (ICJ): Located at The Hague; settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions.
- Secretariat: Handles day-to-day administration; headed by the Secretary-General.
The chief functions of the UN include maintaining international peace and security, promoting friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation in solving economic, social and humanitarian problems, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid, and serving as a forum for dialogue.
Q2. Explain the need for reform of the United Nations and the major proposals for reform.
Answer: The need for reform of the UN arises because:
- The UN was created in 1945 with 51 members; today it has 193, but the structure of the Security Council has not changed proportionately.
- The end of the Cold War in 1989-91 transformed world politics; new challenges such as terrorism, environmental degradation, pandemics and cyber-warfare have emerged.
- The composition of the Security Council does not reflect contemporary political and economic realities — Asia, Africa and Latin America are under-represented.
- The veto power held only by the five permanent members allows them to block resolutions even when supported by the rest of the world.
- The financial structure depends heavily on the largest contributors, especially the USA, giving them disproportionate influence.
Major reform proposals include: (i) increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council; (ii) including new powers such as India, Japan, Germany, Brazil and an African state as permanent members; (iii) limiting or restricting veto power; (iv) improving the working methods of the Council to make it transparent; (v) revising the budget structure; and (vi) updating the UN Charter to address new global issues such as terrorism, the environment, and human rights.
Q3. Discuss the role of the United States in the UN system after the Cold War.
Answer: After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States of America became the only superpower in the world. Its role in the UN since then has been decisive but also controversial:
- The USA is the largest contributor to the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets; this gives it considerable financial leverage.
- It has used its veto in the Security Council more frequently than any other permanent member to block resolutions disfavouring its allies, especially Israel.
- The location of UN headquarters in New York gives the USA additional influence over diplomatic access.
- The USA has often acted unilaterally, sometimes bypassing the UN, as in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
- It has, however, also supported many UN reform initiatives and humanitarian missions.
Therefore the UN as the only universal organisation can act as a mild restraint on US power, while the US continues to be the most influential member.
Q4. Write a note on the major specialised agencies and other organisations apart from the UN.
Answer: Apart from the UN itself, several international organisations regulate global life:
- World Bank: Established 1944; provides loans and technical assistance for development projects, especially in poorer countries.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF): Established 1944; oversees the global financial system and lends to countries facing balance-of-payments crises.
- World Trade Organization (WTO): Established 1995, successor to GATT; sets rules for international trade and resolves trade disputes.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Established 1948; works on global health issues, immunisation, disease eradication and pandemic response.
- UNICEF: Works for child welfare, nutrition, health and education.
- UNESCO: Promotes education, science and culture; protects heritage sites.
- IAEA: Promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inspects nuclear facilities.
- Amnesty International: A non-governmental human rights organisation that exposes human-rights violations worldwide.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW): Another international NGO that monitors and reports on human rights conditions globally.
Q5. Discuss India’s claim for permanent membership of the Security Council.
Answer: India has been a strong contender for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Its claim is based on:
- India is the world’s largest democracy and has the largest population; one in every six humans is an Indian.
- India is a founder member of the UN and has consistently supported the principles of the UN Charter.
- India has been one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping operations.
- India contributes regularly and substantially to the UN budget; it has never defaulted.
- India has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight times and has shown responsibility in international affairs.
- India is a major emerging economy with growing global influence.
- India represents the developing world, especially Asia, which is currently under-represented in the Council.
- India’s commitment to peace, disarmament and non-violence strengthens its claim.
However, India’s claim faces obstacles such as opposition from China, the rivalry of Pakistan, lack of consensus on whether new permanent members should also have veto, and reluctance of the existing P-5 to share their privileges.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The United Nations was established on:
(a) 26 January 1945
(b) 24 October 1945
(c) 15 August 1947
(d) 10 December 1948
Answer: (b) 24 October 1945.
2. The headquarters of the United Nations is in:
(a) Geneva
(b) The Hague
(c) New York
(d) Paris
Answer: (c) New York.
3. The number of member states in the UN at present is:
(a) 51
(b) 150
(c) 193
(d) 200
Answer: (c) 193.
4. How many principal organs does the UN have?
(a) Four
(b) Five
(c) Six
(d) Seven
Answer: (c) Six.
5. Which of the following is NOT a permanent member of the UN Security Council?
(a) USA
(b) Germany
(c) China
(d) France
Answer: (b) Germany.
6. The total number of members in the Security Council is:
(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 15
(d) 20
Answer: (c) 15.
7. The non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a term of:
(a) 1 year
(b) 2 years
(c) 3 years
(d) 5 years
Answer: (b) 2 years.
8. The International Court of Justice is located at:
(a) New York
(b) Geneva
(c) The Hague
(d) Vienna
Answer: (c) The Hague.
9. The Trusteeship Council suspended its operations in:
(a) 1991
(b) 1994
(c) 2000
(d) 2005
Answer: (b) 1994.
10. The chief administrative officer of the UN is the:
(a) President of the General Assembly
(b) Secretary-General
(c) President of the ICJ
(d) President of the Security Council
Answer: (b) Secretary-General.
11. The current UN Secretary-General is:
(a) Ban Ki-moon
(b) Kofi Annan
(c) António Guterres
(d) Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Answer: (c) António Guterres.
12. The IAEA was established in:
(a) 1945
(b) 1948
(c) 1957
(d) 1968
Answer: (c) 1957.
13. The headquarters of the IAEA is in:
(a) New York
(b) Vienna
(c) Paris
(d) Geneva
Answer: (b) Vienna.
14. Which of the following is concerned with international trade?
(a) IMF
(b) WTO
(c) WHO
(d) UNESCO
Answer: (b) WTO.
15. The WTO was established in:
(a) 1944
(b) 1948
(c) 1991
(d) 1995
Answer: (d) 1995.
16. The IMF and the World Bank are sometimes called:
(a) Specialised agencies of the UN
(b) Bretton Woods institutions
(c) NGOs
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b).
17. UNICEF is concerned with:
(a) Trade
(b) Health
(c) Children
(d) Atomic energy
Answer: (c) Children.
18. The full form of UNESCO is:
(a) United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(b) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(c) United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
19. Amnesty International is:
(a) A specialised agency of the UN
(b) An NGO
(c) A regional organisation
(d) A military alliance
Answer: (b) An NGO.
20. The forerunner of the UN was the:
(a) Warsaw Pact
(b) League of Nations
(c) NATO
(d) SAARC
Answer: (b) League of Nations.
21. India became a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the:
(a) Fifth time
(b) Sixth time
(c) Seventh time
(d) Eighth time
Answer: (d) Eighth time.
22. The most recent (193rd) member of the UN is:
(a) East Timor
(b) Montenegro
(c) South Sudan
(d) Switzerland
Answer: (c) South Sudan.
23. The body responsible for maintaining international peace and security is the:
(a) General Assembly
(b) Security Council
(c) ECOSOC
(d) Secretariat
Answer: (b) Security Council.
24. Which organisation gives loans for balance-of-payments problems?
(a) IMF
(b) World Bank
(c) WTO
(d) WHO
Answer: (a) IMF.
25. WHO stands for:
(a) World Health Office
(b) World Health Organization
(c) World Humanitarian Office
(d) Western Health Organization
Answer: (b) World Health Organization.
UN Principal Organs at a Glance
| Organ | Composition | Main Function | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Assembly | All 193 member states, one vote each | Debates and recommends on international issues; approves budget; admits new members | New York |
| Security Council | 15 members — 5 permanent (P-5) with veto + 10 non-permanent for 2-year terms | Maintains international peace and security; authorises use of force and peacekeeping | New York |
| Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) | 54 members elected by General Assembly | Coordinates economic, social, cultural, educational and humanitarian work | New York |
| Trusteeship Council | The 5 P-5 (suspended 1994) | Supervised Trust Territories until they attained self-government | New York |
| International Court of Justice (ICJ) | 15 judges elected for 9-year terms | Settles legal disputes between states; gives advisory opinions | The Hague |
| Secretariat | Headed by Secretary-General; international staff | Day-to-day administration of the UN; provides services to other organs | New York |
Major International Organisations Beyond the UN
| Organisation | Established | Headquarters | Main Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Bank | 1944 | Washington D.C. | Loans and aid for development |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 1944 | Washington D.C. | Stabilises international financial system |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) | 1995 | Geneva | Rules and disputes for international trade |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 1948 | Geneva | Global public health |
| UNICEF | 1946 | New York | Welfare of children |
| UNESCO | 1945 | Paris | Education, science, culture |
| IAEA | 1957 | Vienna | Peaceful use of nuclear energy |
| Amnesty International | 1961 | London | Human rights NGO |
| Human Rights Watch | 1978 | New York | Human rights NGO |
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| International Organisation | A body whose members are sovereign states, established by treaty for cooperation on common matters. |
| UN Charter | The founding treaty of the UN, signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945 and effective from 24 October 1945. |
| Veto | The power of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council to block a substantive resolution. |
| Peacekeeping | Deployment of UN troops and observers to maintain ceasefires and peace agreements. |
| Specialised Agency | An autonomous body linked to the UN by agreement, working in a specific field (e.g., WHO, ILO, UNESCO). |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organisation — a private body that works on issues such as human rights, environment or development. |
| Bretton Woods Institutions | The IMF and the World Bank, set up at the Bretton Woods conference of 1944. |
| P-5 | The five permanent members of the UN Security Council — USA, Russia, China, UK, France. |
| General Assembly | The deliberative organ of the UN where every member state has equal vote. |
| ICJ | The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the UN, located at The Hague. |
Prepared for ASSEB Class 12 Political Science (Part A — Contemporary World Politics), Chapter 4 — International Organisations. For more chapter-wise notes, visit hslcguru.com.