Everything about UNITED NATIONS: Definition, History, members, works, funding.

United Nations is the largest intergovernmental organization that works for international peace and security. United Nations looks for friendly relations between nations to achieve international cooperation. It is the most recognized and powerful international organization.
United Nations has six principal organs, namely United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Security Council, United Nations Secretariat, International Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council. United Nations' chief administrator officer is Secretary-General. United Nations and it's agencies have won Nobel Peace Prizes.
HISTORY:

In summer 1919, President Woodrow Wilson presented the Treaty of Versailles and the covenant of league of nations to the US Senate for ratification. On 10 January 1920, after covenant of League of nations was ratified by 42 nations League of Nations was formally created. However, League of Nations was found ineffective in some cases like invasion of Manchuria by Japan and second Italo-Ethiopian war. During 1938, Britain and France tried to negotiate with Hitler but at last Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia. When war broke out League of nations was closed down.

In 1939, United States State Department thought for concrete plan of new world organization. On 29 December 1941, text "declaration by United Nations" was drafted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Roosevelt aide Harry Hopkins. It included four major Allied powers United States, United Kingdom, USSR, China. The documents signed by these countries came to be known as United Nations declaration. On next day 22 more countries signed the agreement and for the first time the term 'United Nations' was officially coined for all 26 nations.

The delegations from allied major powers USA, UK, USSR, China met at Dumbarton Oaks Conference from 21 September 1944 to 7 October 1944. They agreed for the aim, structure and functioning of UN. On 25 April 1945, 50 countries and number of non governmental organization attended UN conference on International Organization, San Francisco and drafted UN charter.

UN came to exist officially on 24 October 1945, with five permanent members of security council including France. 51 nations attended first meeting of General Assembly at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London.
WORK DONE:

• During Cold War:
  
  UN's main aim is to maintain peace in the world but cold war between USA and USSR made UN to look into issues distant from cold war. Security Council Resolution on 7 July 1950 which was authorized by US led coalition to repel North Korean invasion of South Korea was approved in absence of USSR with signing of Korean Armistice Agreement on 27 July 1953. On 29 November 1947, resolution in general assembly was passed regarding formation of state of Israel with partition of Palestine.
  
  On 7 November 1956, the first UN peacekeeping force was established to end Suez Crises. On 14 July 1960, UN established United Nation Operation in the Congo (UNOC). With opposition of USA but with support of third world countries, People Republic of China occupying Taiwan was included in UN.
• Post Cold War: 
  
  The UN successfully negotiated for Salvadoran Civil War, launched successful peace keeping mission in Namibia, also conducted election in post-apartheid South Africa and post Khmer Rouge Cambodia peacefully. The UN mission in Somalia is considered as failure because of US withdrawal following with many casualties in Battle of Mogadishu. Many USA and European critics also criticized UN for mismanagement and corruption. Under Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, UN intervened in crises such as War in Darfur in Sudan and the Kivu Conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo, sent observer in chemical weapon involved in Syrian Civil War.
  
  The Millennium Summit held in 2000 was a three day largest meeting of world heads to discuss poverty reduction, gender equality and public health. The sustainable development goals were launched in 2015 to succeed in Millennium development goals.

MEMBERS:

There are total 193 nations joined United Nations. South Sudan joined UN on 14 July 2011. There are two non member observer states, the Holy See and the State of Palestine.

• Group of 77: Group of 77 is a group of 77 developing nations. It is formed to promote economic interest and joint negotiating capacity in the UN. It was founded on 15 June 1964. The first meeting held in Algiers in 1967.

OBJECTIVES:

• Peacekeeping and Security:
  
  UN send peacekeeping missions to the regions where conflicts have seized or paused to enforce terms of peace agreement. Forces are provided by UN's member states also known as 'Blue Helmets'. The peacekeeping force has received Nobel Peace prize in 1988. The largest peacekeeping deployment was in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo(MONUSCO), which included 20,688 uniformed personnel and the smallest deployment for United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan(UNMOGIP), which included 42 uniformed personnel. United Nations peacekeepers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization(UNTSO) have been stationed in middle east since 1948.
• Human Rights Protection:
  
  UN's primary purpose is to promote and encourage human rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to sex, race. language and religion. In 1948, UN General Assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1979, UN General Assembly adopted Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, followed by Convention on Rights of child in 1989. In 2006, UN passed a declaration on the rights of indigenous people and in 2011, it passed a final resolution on identifying rights of LGBT community. UN bodies responsible for women rights are United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations Development fund for women, United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.
• Economic Development:
  
  Another primary purpose of UN is to achieve international cooperation on economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character. In 2000, 192 states agreed to achieve Millennium development goals by 2015. The sustainable development goals were issued in 2015 to achieve millennium development goals. Associating financing network to achieve SDG's is called as Addis Ababa Action Agenda. UN development program was founded in 1945. The Food and Agriculture Organization was founded in 1945. UNICEF was created in 1946. The World Bank and IMF are international, specialized agencies and observer within the UN framework. World Health Organization was established to combat diseases and work for public health. The World Food Program was created in 1961.
• Others:
  
  UN works for decolonization through groups including UN Committee on Decolonization. In 1972, UN Environmental Program(UNEP) was initiated. The UN sponsored Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997. Earth Day, World Tuberculosis Day and International Year of Desert and Desertification are some events and days initiated by UN.

STRUCTURE: UN has six official languages Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, Arabic and French.

• GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
  
  General Assembly is the main assembly of UN, consisting of all the members meeting regularly at yearly sessions. Emergency sessions can also be called. The assembly led by President and 21 Vice President. General Assembly decides on all major issues related to peace and security, admission of new member and budgetary matters.
• SECURITY COUNCIL:
  
  United Nations Security Council works for peace keeping and security. While other organs can only recommend what member states may do but Security Council has the ability to make country follow the decision under Charter Article 25. The decision taken by this organ are known as United Nations Security Council resolutions. The security council is made up of 15 states including 5 permanent members, USA, UK, Russia, France, China, and 10 temporary members who are selected for 2 years term. The presidency of UN security council rotates alphabetically every month.
• UN SECRETARIAT:
  
  It is headed by Secretary General and assisted by deputy Secretary General. It provides studies, information and facilities for UN working. The secretary General is appointed by General Assembly after recommendation from UNSC, where permanent members have veto power. The term is for 5 years. The present Secretary General is Antonio Guterres, who replaced Ban Ki-moon in 2017.
• INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE:
  
  It is located in the Hague, the Netherlands. This organ works as judiciary for UN. ICJ consist of 15 judges who have to serve for 9 years. All the judges are appointed by the General Assembly. All the judges must be from different nations.
• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL:
  
  This organ assist the general assembly to promote international economic and social cooperation and development. ECOSOC has 54 members with three year terms who are elected by general assembly. The president is elected for one year term. ECOSOC has annual meeting in July at Geneva or New York. There are various subsidiary bodies in ECOSOC which work toward gathering information, sustainable development, work for indigenous people, forest management.
• SPECIALIZED AGENCIES:
  
  UN charter allows every major organ to establish various established agencies to fulfill it's duties. Like International Atomic Energy Agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, the World Bank and World Health Organization(WHO).

FUNDING:

UN is funded from voluntary contribution from it's member states. The General Assembly approves an annual budget and asses the capability of each member. The term 'Ceiling' is referred to as maximum contribution any member can make. The largest UN peacekeeping financial operation for the period 2019-2021 are: the United States 27.89%, China 15.21%, Japan 8.56%, Germany 6.09%, the United Kingdom 5.78%, France 5.61%, Italy 3.30%, and the Russian Federation 3.04%. Special UN programs are not involved in the regular budget, but are financed by voluntary contribution from member states.

Everything about G7: Group of Seven

G7 is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of 7 major and developed nations, that are Japan, Canada, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. These all are advanced economies of the world by IMF.
As of 2018, These seven countries represent 58% of Global Net Wealth (317 trillion USD) and more than 32% of GDP by purchasing power parity and 46% of total GDP by nominal values. The annual G7 summit include 7 head of states meeting with each other. The European Union is an invitee to G7.
HISTORY:

On 25 March 1973, the US secretary of treasury, held an informal meeting with finance ministers from West Germany Helmut Schmidt, France Valery Giscard  d'Estaing and the United Kingdom Anthony Barber in the library at ground floor of the White House. Initially they were known as 'Library Group'. In 1973, at World Bank-IMF meeting, Schmidt proposed Japan to join the group. Then senior financial officer of five nation came to be known as "Group of Five".
There were many internal political disturbances in all the countries.

In 1975, France hosted Summit in which six nations participated including Italy. Annual meetings of six leaders was organized under a rotating presidency, forming the "Group of Six". As the need for more experienced English speaker raised, Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, which was next largest economy was invited to join the Group and the group came to be known as "Group of Seven".
Russian officials held separate meeting with leaders of G7 after 1994 summit at Naples. On the invitation of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair and President of the United States, Bill Clinton, Russian president Boris Yeltsin was invited first as observer and later as full participant.

Russia was invited to attend meeting officially in 1998 and new governmental forum was renamed to "Group of Eight"
In March 2014, Russia was ejected from G8 forum because of annexation of Crimea.
In 2020, US president Donald Trump advocated Russia to join G7 again and invited Australia, India and South Korea to join.
MOTIVE:

This organization was created in response to collapse of exchange rate in 1971, during the time of Nixon Shock, the 1970s energy crises and the ensuing recession.
TILL NOW G7:

• Since 1975, group member nations' head meet annually to discuss economic policies. Since 1987, the financial ministers of G7 met semi annually, up to four times a year in stand alone meetings.
• In 1996, G7 announced initiative for 42 heavily indebted poor countries.  
• In 1997, G7 announced 300 million USD toward the build of containment of the reactor meltdown at Chernobyl.
• In 1999, G7 decided to get involved in "managing the international monetary system" through the Financial Stability Forum.
• In 2008, heads of states met twice to discuss the global financial crisis of 2007-2008.

INVITATIONS:

French President Emmanuel Macron, the host of G7 summit held in Biarritz in August 2019 invited non-member countries which include Australia, Chile, Egypt, India, Iran, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Spain.

CONTROVERSIES:

• Russia was ejected and suspended from group due to annexation of Crimea.
• In 2018, there was a conflict between USA and Russia due to sanctions imposed.
• The G7 announced 20 million USD for Brazil forest fire, which in view of critics is very little sum. 

BIMSTEC

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economical Cooperation or BIMSTEC was formed in 1997 through Bangkok declaration. It mainly focuses to accelerate economic growth, social growth and accelerate growth on common interest in the region.

BIMSTEC also connect ecologies of Great Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal. Initially, There were four nations namely, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand and known as BIST-EC. It was renamed to BIMST-EC in 1997 after entry of Myanmar. In 2004, after admission of Nepal and Bhutan it's name changed to 'Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economical Cooperation'.
OBJECTIVE:

• Creating an environment to pace up economic development in the region.
• encouraging spirit of equality and partnership.
• Promoting collaboration over common interest of member countries in the region.
• providing support to each other in the field of education, science and technology etc.

PRINCIPLES:

• Sovereign Equality
• No interference in internal affairs
• Territorial integrity
• Political Independence
• Peaceful Co-existence
• Mutual benefit

IMPORTANCE:

BIMSTEC is an organization consisting of south Asian as well as south east Asian countries. It can work as bridge between SAARC and ASEAN countries. BIMSTEC is home to 1.5 billion people, around 22% of total population of world. Total GDP of BIMSTEC is 2.7 trillion and BIMSTEC member are able to achieve constant 6.5% growth rate in last 5 years. It has many important connectivity projects:

• Kaladan Multimodal Project: links India and Myanmar
• Asian trilateral highway: connects India with Thailand through Myanmar.
• Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal(BBIN)  motor vehicle agreement

IMPORTANCE FOR INDIA:

Being in BIMSTEC allow India to follow neighborhood first policy and act East policy by connecting neighbors and South east Asian countries with India. BIMSTEC will promote development of north eastern states of India by connecting them to Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh and Myanmar. It can be alternative of SAARC that is considered to be dysfunction due to India-Pakistan clashes.

CHAIRMANSHIP:

Every country gets chance to become chairman of BIMSTEC in alphabetical order starting from Bangladesh.

AREAS OF COOPERATION:

BIMSTEC looks for countries to cooperate in 14 sectors that are: Trade and investment, Energy, Technology, Transportation and Communication, Tourism, Fisheries, Agriculture, cultural cooperation, Environment and disaster management, public health, public health, people to people contact, poverty alleviation, counter terrorism and transnational crime, climate change.

MECHANISMS OF MEETINGS

• BIMSTEC Summit: These are the highest policy making body of BIMSTEC and comprises heads of government.
• Ministerial meetings: It is the second most highest policymaking meeting which is attended by foreign ministers of states.
• Senior official meetings: These meetings are attended by senior officials of foreign ministries.
• BIMSTEC working group: These are attended by ambassador of countries in Bangladesh.
• Business and economic forum: These are forums to promote private participation.

CHALLENGES:

• INCONSISTENCY IN HELDING OF MEETINGS: It was decided that summits will held in 2 years and minister meetings every year but in 20 years only 4 summits took place.
• NEGLECTED BY MEMBER STATES: South east Asian countries are more dedicated towards ASEAN while India itself was more inclined towards SAARC.
• BROAD FOCUS AREA: BIMSTEC looks for cooperation in 14 areas.
• BILATERAL RELATIONS: For example, Bangladesh is having problem of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

BIMSTEC AND INDIA:

In second swearing in ceremony as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has cleared to shift focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC by inviting BIMSTEC heads. Two policies neighborhood policy and act east policy is promoted to develop relations with south east countries also. India look forward to achieve aims of BIMSTEC.

SECRETARIAT:

The BIMSTEC permanent secretariat at Dhaka was opened at 2014 and India contributes 33% of it's expenditure.