The United Nations Organisation (UNO)
Aims
- Prevent wars and maintain peace.
- Promote development and protect human rights.
Origins
- Began with the Atlantic Charter (1941) and Washington Declaration (1942).
- Plans finalised at Dumbarton Oaks (1944) and Yalta (1945).
- Founded officially at San Francisco Conference, April 1945.
- Came into existence on October 24, 1945.
Structure
- General Assembly – All members; votes on major issues and supervises agencies.
- Security Council – Five permanent members with veto power; manages peace and security.
- Secretariat – Headed by Secretary-General; handles administration and diplomacy.
Notable Secretaries-General
- Trygve Lie (Norway)
- Dag Hammarskjöld (Sweden)
- U Thant (Burma)
- Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Egypt)
- Kofi Annan (Ghana)
- Ban Ki-moon (South Korea)