10 Question World Quiz: The United Nations | Organizations

Answer: San Francisco

The UN charter was signed on this day in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the UN Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.

Answer: Switzerland

Switzerland was not one of the 51 founding members when the UN was founded. Switzerland was a neutral country during WWII. On September 10, 2002, Switzerland joined the UN after nearly 55 per cent of Swiss citizens voted in favor.

Answer: Six

The six principal organs of the UN are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and UN Secretariat. One of these, the Trusteeship Council, was formally suspended in 1994 when its purpose was regarded as fulfilled.

It had been established to oversee the administration of certain dependent territories, but when the last of these territories became independent, the Council no longer had a role. It cannot be dissolved without amending the UN Charter, however, so is simply regarded as inactive.

Answer: Five

The five permanent members of the Security Council are the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. They are collectively known as the P5, and any one of them can veto a resolution. Ten additional members are elected into the Security Council to serve two-year, non-consecutive terms, but are not afforded veto power.

Answer: The Hague, Netherlands

The ICJ aka the World Court serves as the main judicial organ of the UN. The ICJ was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the UN and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The function of the ICJ is to settle disputes between states.

Answer: Norway

Gladwyn Jebb (1900-1966), a British civil servant and diplomat, served as the acting UNSG between 1945 and 1946.

Norwegian politician Trygve Lie (1896-1968) was the first to be officially appointed at the UNSG. He served from 1946 to 1952.

Answer: Arabic

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the six official languages of the UN.

Answer: Korea

On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. The attack was condemned by the UN and a resolution was passed by the Security Council (UNSCR) 82, calling for the cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of North Korean forces.

The Korean War was fought from 1950 to 1953. On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ceasing hostilities and bringing an end to the Korean War.

Answer: Africa

1960 was named the Year of Africa. Seventeen African nations gained independence in that year and were officially admitted into the UN. These were: Cameroon, Togo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, and Mauritania.

Answer: 1971

On October 25, 1971, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 to recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the only legitimate representative of China at the UN and removing "the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek", i.e. the ROC.