Introduction - UN Membership - Research Guides at United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library

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Dag Hammarskjöld Library"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="United Nations"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="members, membership, resolutions, decisions"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="General Assembly"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="Security Council"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="Economic and Social Council"/> <meta name="dc.subject" content="Human Rights Council"/> <meta name="dc.type" content="research guide"/> <meta name="dc.type" content="research starter"/> <meta name="dc.publisher" content="United Nations. Dag Hammarskjöld Library"/> <meta name="dc.language" content="English"/>  <meta name="DC.Title" content="Research Guides: UN Membership: Introduction"/> <meta name="DC.Creator" content="Dag Hammarskjöld Library"/> <meta name="DC.Subject" content="Member States, UN Documentation, United Nations"/> <meta name="DC.Description" content=""/> <meta name="DC.Publishers" content="United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library"/> <meta name="DC.Rights" content="Copyright United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library 2024"/> <meta name="DC.Language" content="en"/> <meta name="DC.Identifier" content="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/intro"/> <meta name="DC.Date.Created" content="Nov 8, 2018"/> <meta name="DC.Date.Modified" content="Nov 11, 2024"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Research Guides: UN Membership: Introduction"> <meta property="og:description" content="Research Guides: UN Membership: Introduction"> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <meta property="og:url" 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Links : Security Council Meetings & Outcomes">Security Council Meetings & Outcomes</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/veto" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Quick Links : Security Council Veto List">Security Council Vetoes</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-dhl"><a class="bold" data-parent="#s-lg-general-accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#collapseIntro">Overview Guides</a></div> <div class="panel-collapse collapse " id="collapseIntro"> <ul> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : About UN Documents">About UN Documents</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/find" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : How to Find UN Documents">How to Find UN Documents</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/digitallibrary" title="How to Use the UN Digital Library">How to Use the UN Digital Library</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/undocumentsymbols" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : UN Document Symbols & Document Series Symbols">UN Document Symbols & Series Symbols</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/unmembers" title="UN Research Guides : UN Membership">UN Membership</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/unsystem" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : UN System Documentation">UN System Documentation</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/unvoting" title="UN Research Guides : UN Voting">UN Voting</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-dhl"><a class="bold" data-parent="#s-lg-general-accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#collapseBody">Principal Organ Guides</a></div> <div class="panel-collapse collapse " id="collapseBody"> <ul> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/ga" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : General Assembly">General Assembly</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Security Council">Security Council</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/ecosoc" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Economic and Social Council">Economic and Social Council</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/tc" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Trusteeship Council">Trusteeship Council </a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/icj" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : International Court of Justice">International Court of Justice</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/secretariat" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Secretariat">Secretariat</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-dhl"><a class="bold" data-parent="#s-lg-general-accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#collapseTopic">Topical UN Documentation Guides</a></div> <div class="panel-collapse collapse " id="collapseTopic"> <ul> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/uncharter" title="UN Research Guides : Charter of the UN">Charter of the UN</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/decolonization" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Decolonization">Decolonization</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/dev" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Development">Development</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/disarmament" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Disarmament">Disarmament</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/environment" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/humanrights" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Human Rights">Human Rights</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/law" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : International Law">International Law</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/peacekeeping" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Peacekeeping">Peacekeeping</a></li> <li><a href="http://research.un.org/en/docs/mandates" title="UN Documentation Research Guides : Research UN Mandates">Research UN Mandates</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/docs/budget2020" title="UN Documentation Research Guides :">UN Budget, 2020-</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/undhr" title="UN Research Guides : Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Drafting History">Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Drafting History</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-dhl"><a class="bold" data-parent="#s-lg-general-accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#collapseAnniversaries">UN Anniversary Exhibits</a></div> <div class="panel-collapse collapse " id="collapseAnniversaries"> <ul> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/crc35" title="Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) 35th Anniversary">Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) 35th Anniversary</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/un75" title="UN 75th Anniversary Exhibit: 75 Years, 75 Documents">UN75</a></li> <li><a href="https://research.un.org/en/udhr70" title="Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): 30 Articles - 30 Documents: Exhibit for the 70th Anniversary">UDHR70</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="nav nav-pills nav-stacked split-button-nav"><li class="active"><a title="" class="active" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/intro" ><span>Introduction</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/currentmembers" ><span>Current UN Member States Resources</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/observers" ><span>Non-Member Observer State Resources</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/founders" ><span>UN Founding Members</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/ecosocmembers" ><span>UN Economic and Social Council Membership</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/hrcmembers" ><span>UN Human Rights Council Membership</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/scmembers" ><span>UN Security Council Membership</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/researchresources" ><span>UN Member State Research Resources</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://www.un.org/library/unms" ><span>UN Member States on the Record</span></a></li><li class=""><a title="" class="" href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/elections" ><span>Elections to UN Bodies</span></a></li></ul> <div class="s-lg-row margin-top-med"><div id="s-lg-col-0"><div class="s-lg-col-boxes"></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-9"> <div class="s-lg-tab-content"> <div id="s-lg-guide-main" class="tab-pane active">  <div class="row s-lg-row-1"> <div id="s-lg-col-1" class="col-md-12"> <div class="s-lg-col-boxes"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row s-lg-row-2"> <div id="s-lg-col-2" class="col-md-8"> <div class="s-lg-col-boxes"> <div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-23905594" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-23905594"><div id="s-lg-box-20370335-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-20370335" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std s-lib-floating-box"> <div id="s-lg-box-collapse-20370335" > <div class="s-lib-box-content s-lib-floating-box-content"> <div id="s-lg-content-45526119" class=" clearfix"> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="//libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/2786/images/479728__1_.jpg" /></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-38861807" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-38861807"><div id="s-lg-box-33051415-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-33051415" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">Current UN Member States</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-33051415" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div id="s-lg-content-77606761" class=" clearfix"> <p>There are currently 193 UN Member States. Each of the Member States of the United Nations has one seat in the General Assembly.</p> <p>Information about current members, growth of membership since 1945, and the procedure of how a country becomes a member is available on the UN website. Documents by and about members can be found in the UN Digital Library and other sources. </p> <h3>UN website links</h3> </div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-80061042" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607111" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607111',_st_inc_return: this});">Current Member States of the United Nations</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607189" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/growth-in-un-membership" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607189',_st_inc_return: this});">Growth in United Nations membership, 1945-present</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607164" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/about-un-membership" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607164',_st_inc_return: this});">How does a country become a Member of the United Nations?</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77722363" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&cc=Members&p=&f=&rm=&sf=heading&so=a&rg=50&c=Members&c=&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77722363',_st_inc_return: this});">UN Digital Library collection: Member States</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77466461" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/library/unms" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77466461',_st_inc_return: this});">UN Member States on the Record</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-45523877" class=""><span><a href="https://treaties.un.org/Pages/Treaties.aspx?id=1&subid=A&clang=_en" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '45523877',_st_inc_return: this});">UN Treaty Collection: Status of UN Charter and Statute of the ICJ</a></span></div></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-23875575" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-23875575"><div id="s-lg-box-20344185-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-20344185" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">United Nations Membership</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-20344185" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div id="s-lg-content-45454944" class=" clearfix"> <p>UN Charter, Chapter II, Articles 3-6 concern Membership in the UN. Only states can be members of the United Nations.</p> <p>Membership in different organs of the UN varies.</p> <p>Membership of the principal organs is determined by the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the International Court of Justice:</p> <ul> <li>According to the UN Charter, Article 9, "The General Assembly shall consist of all the Members of the United Nations"</li> <li>According to the UN Charter, Article 23, "The Security Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations"; there are 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members, 5 of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a 2-year term</li> <li>According to UN Charter, Article 61, "The Economic and Social Council shall consist of fifty-four Members of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly"; 18 Members are elected each year for a 3-year term</li> <li>According to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, Chapter I, Articles 2-33, the ICJ is composed of 15 "independent judges, elected regardless of their nationality from among persons of high moral character, who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices, or are jurisconsults of recognized competence in international law"; 5 members are elected every 3 years for 9-year terms. The General Assembly and Security Council independently elect the judges and candidates must obtain an absolute majority in both organs</li> </ul> <p>In accordance with the Charter, the General Assembly (Article 22), Security Council (Article 29) and the Economic and Social Council (Article 68) may establish subsidiary organs. The decision to establish a subsidiary organ (also called the mandate) usually includes:</p> <ul> <li>Type of members: e.g. states or individuals serving in personal capacity</li> <li>Number of members</li> <li>Distribution of seats according to equitable geographical distribution among the regional groups</li> <li>Method of electing members</li> <li>Length of term of membership</li> </ul> <h3>Additional Resources</h3> </div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-48756741" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-45920200" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/about-un-membership" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '45920200',_st_inc_return: this});">About UN Membership website</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607111" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607111',_st_inc_return: this});">Current Member States of the United Nations</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-70207889" class=""><span><a href="https://data.un.org/en/index.html" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '70207889',_st_inc_return: this});">UNData : Country (Area) Profiles : Popular Statistical Tables of the UN Statistical Yearbook</a></span></div></li></ul></div> <div id="s-lg-content-77607268" class=" clearfix"> <h3>UN Digital Library searches about membership</h3> </div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-80061234" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607286" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&rm=&sf=year&so=d&rg=50&c=Resource%20Type&c=UN%20Bodies&c=&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0&p=%22Application%20of*%20for%20admission%20to%20membership%20in%20the%20United%20Nations%22" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607286',_st_inc_return: this});">Search for "Application of* for admission to membership in the United Nations"</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607334" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&p=%22Admission%20of*%20to%20membership%20in%20the%20United%20Nations%22%20AND%20089%3AB01&f=&rm=&sf=year&so=d&rg=50&c=United%20Nations%20Digital%20Library%20System&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607334',_st_inc_return: this});">Search for resolutions about "Admission of* to membership in the United Nations"</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77607909" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&p=subjectheading%3A%5BUN%20--%20Members%5D&f=&rm=&sf=year&so=d&rg=50&c=United%20Nations%20Digital%20Library%20System&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77607909',_st_inc_return: this});">Search for subject:UN Members</a></span></div></li></ul></div> <div id="s-lg-content-77607383" class=" clearfix"> <h3>Related Research Guides</h3> </div><div id="s-lg-content-45487738" class=""> <ul class="s-lg-system-list"> <li> <a href="https://research.un.org/en/docs/uncharter" >Charter of the United Nations (1945) Research Guide </a> <div class="s-lg-guide-list-info"> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-account pad-right-sm"> by <a href="https://research.un.org/prf.php?id=59a2060b-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3" >Dag Hammarskjöld Library</a> </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-updated pad-right-sm"> Last Updated Oct 24, 2024 </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-views">7375 views this year </span> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers" >UN Membership </a> <div class="s-lg-guide-list-info"> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-account pad-right-sm"> by <a href="https://research.un.org/prf.php?id=59a2060b-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3" >Dag Hammarskjöld Library</a> </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-updated pad-right-sm"> Last Updated Oct 17, 2024 </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-views">148670 views this year </span> </div> </li> <li> <a href="https://research.un.org/en/docs/unsystem" >UN System Documentation </a> <div class="s-lg-guide-list-info"> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-account pad-right-sm"> by <a href="https://research.un.org/prf.php?id=59a2060b-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3" >Dag Hammarskjöld Library</a> </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-updated pad-right-sm"> Last Updated Oct 23, 2024 </span> <span class="s-lg-guide-info-views">83520 views this year </span> </div> </li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-23886251" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-23886251"><div id="s-lg-box-20353637-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-20353637" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">Additional Resources</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-20353637" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-74137021" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-3392727" class=""><span><a href="http://legal.un.org/repertory/" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '3392727',_st_inc_return: this});">Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs</a></span><div id="s-lg-link-desc-3392727" class="s-lg-link-desc">Analytical studies of the decisions of the UN principal organs under each of the Articles of the Charter ; Comprehensive summary of the decisions of United Nations Organs, together with review of related material, organized by Charter Articles.</div></div></li></ul></div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-48329687" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-5"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-3388632" class="s-lg-book clearfix"><div class="s-lg-book-props"><a href="https://unog.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/41UNOG_INST/1cqrlva/alma991002213796402391" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '3',_st_content_id: '3388632',_st_inc_return: this});"><span id="s-lg-book-cover-3388632" class="s-lg-book-cover"><img loading="lazy" alt="" src="//syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780199580156/LC.GIF&client=springshare" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" /></span><span id="s-lg-book-title-3388632" class="s-lg-book-title">The Charter of the United Nations</span><span id="s-lg-book-by-3388632" class="s-lg-book-by"> / </span><span id="s-lg-book-author-3388632" class="s-lg-book-author">Edited by Bruno Simma; Daniel-Erasmus Khan; Georg Nolte; Andreas Paulus (eds)</span></a><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate">Date: 2013</div></div></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-8079392" class="s-lg-book clearfix"><div class="s-lg-book-props"><a href="https://unog.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/41UNOG_INST/1cqrlva/alma991002150069602391" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '3',_st_content_id: '8079392',_st_inc_return: this});"><span id="s-lg-book-cover-8079392" class="s-lg-book-cover"><img loading="lazy" alt="" src="//syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9789004187986/LC.GIF&client=springshare" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" /></span><span id="s-lg-book-title-8079392" class="s-lg-book-title">International Institutional Law</span><span id="s-lg-book-by-8079392" class="s-lg-book-by"> / </span><span id="s-lg-book-author-8079392" class="s-lg-book-author">Henry G. Schermers; Niels M. Blokker</span></a><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno">Call Number: LSA 341.1 S327</div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn">ISBN: 9789004187986</div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate">Date: 2018</div></div></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-38478206" class="s-lg-book clearfix"><div class="s-lg-book-props"><a href="https://go.openathens.net/redirector/un.org?url=http://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law/9780198808312.001.0001/law-9780198808312" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '3',_st_content_id: '38478206',_st_inc_return: this});"><span id="s-lg-book-cover-38478206" class="s-lg-book-cover"><img loading="lazy" alt="" src="//syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780198808312/LC.GIF&client=springshare" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" /></span><span id="s-lg-book-title-38478206" class="s-lg-book-title">Oppenheim's International Law</span><span id="s-lg-book-by-38478206" class="s-lg-book-by"> / </span><span id="s-lg-book-author-38478206" class="s-lg-book-author">Rosalyn Higgins; Sandesh Sivakumaran; James Sloan; Dapo Akande; Philippa Webb</span></a> <i class="fa fa-lg fa-info-circle pad-left-sm" tabindex="0" role="button" data-toggle="popover" data-trigger="focus" data-content="The United Nations, whose specialized agencies were the subject of an Appendix to the 1958 edition of Oppenheim's International Law: Peace, has expanded beyond all recognition since its founding in 1945.This volume represents a study that is entirely new, but prepared in the way that has become so familiar over succeeding editions of Oppenheim. An authoritative and comprehensive study of the United Nations' legal practice, this volume covers the formal structures of the UN as it has expanded over the years, and all that this complex organization does. All substantive issues are addressed in separate sections, including among others, the responsibilities of the UN, financing, immunities, human rights, preventing armed conflicts and peacekeeping, and judicial matters. In examining the evolving structures and ever expanding work of the United Nations, this volume follows the long-held tradition of Oppenheim by presenting facts uncoloured by personal opinion, in a succinct text that also offers in the footnotes a wealth of information and ideas to be explored. It is book that, while making all necessary reference to the Charter, the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and other legal instruments, tells of the realities of the legal issues as they arise in the day to day practice of the United Nations. Missions to the UN, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, practitioners of international law, academics, and students will all find this book to be vital in their understanding of the workings of the legal practice of the UN. Research for this publication was made possible by The Balzan Prize, which was awarded to Rosalyn Higgins in 2007 by the International Balzan Foundation."></i><span class="sr-only">The United Nations, whose specialized agencies were the subject of an Appendix to the 1958 edition of Oppenheim's International Law: Peace, has expanded beyond all recognition since its founding in 1945.This volume represents a study that is entirely new, but prepared in the way that has become so familiar over succeeding editions of Oppenheim. An authoritative and comprehensive study of the United Nations' legal practice, this volume covers the formal structures of the UN as it has expanded over the years, and all that this complex organization does. All substantive issues are addressed in separate sections, including among others, the responsibilities of the UN, financing, immunities, human rights, preventing armed conflicts and peacekeeping, and judicial matters. In examining the evolving structures and ever expanding work of the United Nations, this volume follows the long-held tradition of Oppenheim by presenting facts uncoloured by personal opinion, in a succinct text that also offers in the footnotes a wealth of information and ideas to be explored. It is book that, while making all necessary reference to the Charter, the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and other legal instruments, tells of the realities of the legal issues as they arise in the day to day practice of the United Nations. Missions to the UN, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, practitioners of international law, academics, and students will all find this book to be vital in their understanding of the workings of the legal practice of the UN. Research for this publication was made possible by The Balzan Prize, which was awarded to Rosalyn Higgins in 2007 by the International Balzan Foundation.</span> <script> jQuery(function () { jQuery('[data-toggle="popover"]').popover() }) </script>  <div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn">ISBN: 9780198808312</div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate">Date: 2017-12-12</div></div></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-8078585" class="s-lg-book clearfix"><div class="s-lg-book-props"><a href="http://www.scprocedure.org" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '3',_st_content_id: '8078585',_st_inc_return: this});"><span id="s-lg-book-cover-8078585" class="s-lg-book-cover"><img loading="lazy" alt="" src="//syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780199685295/LC.GIF&client=springshare" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" /></span><span id="s-lg-book-title-8078585" class="s-lg-book-title">The Procedure of the UN Security Council</span><span id="s-lg-book-by-8078585" class="s-lg-book-by"> / </span><span id="s-lg-book-author-8078585" class="s-lg-book-author">Loraine Sievers; Sam Daws</span></a><div class="s-lg-book-prop-callno">Call Number: Ref 341.13 B1593, UNX.15 B1593</div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-isbn">ISBN: 9780199685295</div><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate">Date: 2014</div></div></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-3388317" class="s-lg-book clearfix"><div class="s-lg-book-props"><a href="https://mfatgovtnz2020.cwp.govt.nz/en/peace-rights-and-security/our-work-with-the-un/un-handbook/" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '3',_st_content_id: '3388317',_st_inc_return: this});"><span id="s-lg-book-cover-3388317" class="s-lg-book-cover"><img loading="lazy" alt="" src="https://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/138597/images/United_Nations_Handbook-2017-18.jpg" class="pull-left s-lg-book-cover-img-0" /></span><span id="s-lg-book-title-3388317" class="s-lg-book-title">United Nations Handbook</span><span id="s-lg-book-by-3388317" class="s-lg-book-by"> / </span><span id="s-lg-book-author-3388317" class="s-lg-book-author">New Zealand. Ministry of Foreign Affairs</span></a><div class="s-lg-book-prop-pubdate">Date: 1973-</div></div></div></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div id="s-lg-col-3" class="col-md-4"> <div class="s-lg-col-boxes"> <div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-34154845" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-34154845"><div id="s-lg-box-29042954-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-29042954" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">Available Translations</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-29042954" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div id="s-lg-content-67607479" class=" clearfix"> <p>Chinese: <a href="https://research.un.org/zh/unmembers">联合国会员国</a></p> <p>English: <a href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers">UN Membership</a></p> <p>French: <a href="https://research.un.org/fr/unmembers">Les membres de l'Organisation des Nations Unies </a></p> <p>Russian: <a href="https://research.un.org/ru/unmembers">Членство в Организации Объединенных Наций </a></p> <p>Spanish: <a href="https://research.un.org/es/unmembers">Miembros de la ONU  </a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-23875607" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-23875607"><div id="s-lg-box-20344210-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-20344210" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">Membership, Participation and Observer Status</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-20344210" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div id="s-lg-content-45454069" class=" clearfix"> <p>In the context of the Charter, membership and participation in the UN are different.</p> <p>UN Charter, Chapter II, Articles 3-6 concern Membership in the UN. Only states can be members of the United Nations.</p> <p><a href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/intro#s-lg-box-wrapper-23875575">Membership in different organs</a> of the UN varies.</p> <ul> <li>Articles 31-32 of the Charter concern participation in the Security Council by states.</li> <li>Articles 69-71 of the Charter concern participation in the Economic and Social Council by states, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations. </li> <li>In addition, the General Assembly has an established practice of granting observer status to non-member states and intergovernmental organizations, see decision 49/426 in <a href="http://undocs.org/a/49/49(Vol.I)">A/49/49 (Vol. I)</a>, page 341. Entities with observer status receive "a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly" (<a href="http://undocs.org/A/INF/73/5">A/INF/73/5</a>).</li> </ul> <p>To research these matters further, consult secondary sources about the organ or the article of the Charter. For example, the <a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/structure">Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council</a> has a section on the <a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/membership-united-nations">Council's role in membership</a> as well as section on <a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/provisional-rules-procedure#rule7">participation in the Council</a>. </p> </div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-79459412" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77000646" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&rm=&sf=year&so=d&rg=50&c=Resource%20Type&c=UN%20Bodies&c=&of=hb&fti=0&fct__1=Resolutions%20and%20Decisions&fti=0&p=subject%3A"observer%20status"" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77000646',_st_inc_return: this});">Search for subject:"observer status" limited to resolutions/decisions</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77000697" class=""><span><a href="https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&rm=&sf=year&so=d&rg=50&c=Resource%20Type&c=UN%20Bodies&c=&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0&p=List%20of%20non-Member%20States%2C%20entities%20and%20organizations%20having%20received%20a%20standing%20invitation%20to%20participate%" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77000697',_st_inc_return: this});">Search for List of Observers to UN General Assembly sessions</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77000764" class=""><span><a href="https://ask.un.org/faq/14519" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77000764',_st_inc_return: this});">Ask DAG: How do organizations and non-member states get observer status in the General Assembly?</a></span></div></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div><div id="s-lg-box-wrapper-23887515" class="s-lg-box-wrapper-23887515"><div id="s-lg-box-20354641-container" class="s-lib-box-container"> <div id="s-lg-box-20354641" class="s-lib-box s-lib-box-std"> <h2 class="s-lib-box-title">Regional Groups</h2><div id="s-lg-box-collapse-20354641" > <div class="s-lib-box-content"> <div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-80282928" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77826392" class=""><span><a href="https://ask.un.org/faq/269142" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77826392',_st_inc_return: this});">Ask DAG: How are countries elected to membership in UN bodies?</a></span></div></li></ul></div> <div id="s-lg-content-45485951" class=" clearfix"> <p><a href="https://www.un.org/dgacm/content/regional-groups">Current regional groups</a> and their members are listed on the UN Department of General Assembly and Conference Management website:</p> <ul> <li>African States</li> <li>Asia-Pacific States</li> <li>Eastern European States</li> <li>Latin American and Caribbean States</li> <li>Western European and other States</li> </ul> <p>Chairs of the regional groups rotate monthly and are listed in the General Information section of the <a href="https://journal.un.org/en/new-york/">Journal of the United Nations</a>.</p> <p>Excerpts from the UN legal opinion of 4 March 2003 (<a href="https://legal.un.org/unjuridicalyearbook/volumes/2003/">2003 UN Juridical Yearbook</a> p. 529): </p> <ul> <li>"The regional group system is not mentioned or envisaged in the United Nations Charter. However, it has become an essential part of the whole working structure of the United Nations.... as the accepted mechanism for distribution of elected places according to the principle of equitable geographical distribution and as the forum for consultations and negotiations on important issues."</li> <li>"It should be observed that although the General Assembly and other United Nations bodies have endorsed [the role of the regional groups], none of these decisions has ever defined the concept of a regional group or the criteria for membership of any regional group."</li> <li>"discussions within regional groups are conducted in private and the United Nations Secretariat is not privy to these discussions"</li> </ul> <p>General Assembly resolutions that set out the initial basis for the development of the regional groups include:</p> <ul> <li>1957: <a href="http://undocs.org/A/RES/1192(XII)">A/RES/1192 (XII)</a></li> <li>1963: <a href="http://undocs.org/A/RES/1900(XVIII)">A/RES/1900 (XVIII)</a></li> <li>1978: <a href="http://undocs.org/A/RES/33/138">A/RES/33/138</a></li> </ul> <p>Please note that there are also additional types of groups of states for negotiations outside the UN, such as various Groups of Friends, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77 (G77), etc. Regional group names may differ from those set out in the resolutions on Council membership. </p> </div><div class=""><ul id="s-lg-link-list-48333642" class="s-lg-link-list s-lg-link-list-2"><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-45486766" class=""><span><a href="http://www.un.org/en/ga/73/meetings/elections/index.shtml" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '45486766',_st_inc_return: this});">General Assembly website: Elections</a></span></div></li><li class=""><div id="s-lg-content-77000966" class=""><span><a href="https://www.un.org/dgacm/content/regional-groups" onclick="return springSpace.springTrack.trackLink({link: this,_st_type_id: '2',_st_content_id: '77000966',_st_inc_return: this});">Regional groups of Member States</a></span></div></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row s-lg-row-3"> <div id="s-lg-col-4" class="col-md-12"> <div class="s-lg-col-boxes"> </div> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <ul id="s-lg-page-prevnext" class="pager s-lib-hide"><li class="previous"></li><li class="next"><a href="https://research.un.org/en/unmembers/currentmembers"><strong>Next:</strong> Current UN Member States Resources >></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="section section-fluid home-footer gray-bg"> <div class="container"> <div class="row topmargin"> <div class="divider"></div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-9"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <section class="region region-footer-1"> <div class="block block-menu"> <h4 class="font-bold">About</h4> <ul class="menu nav"> <li class="leaf"> <a href="https://www.un.org/en/library/contact-us">Contact 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Introduction - UN Membership - Research Guides at United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library