Selected Multilateral Organizations

SELECTED MULTILATERAL ORGANIZATIONS

MULTILATERAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES PARTICIPATES Explanatory note: The United States participates in the organizations named below in accordance with the provisions of treaties, other international agreements, congressional legislation, or executive arrangements. In some cases, no financial contribution is involved. Various commissions, councils, or committees subsidiary to the organizations listed here are not named separately on this list. These include the international bodies for drugs and crime, which are subsidiary to the United Nations. This listing is provided for reference purposes and should not be considered exhaustive. For more information on international organizations and United States participation in them, contact the State Department’s Bureau of International Organizations. Phone, 202–647–9326. Internet, www.state.gov/p/io.

I. Specialized Agencies of the United United Nations Observer Mission in Nations Georgia Food and Agricultural Organization United Nations Stabilization Mission in International Atomic Energy Agency Haiti International Civil Aviation Organization United Nations Truce Supervision International Fund for Agriculture Organization (Middle East) Development International Labor Organization III. Inter-American Organizations International Maritime Organization Caribbean Postal Union International Telecommunication Union Inter-American Center of Tax United Nations Educational, Scientific Administrators and Cultural Organization Inter-American Indian Institute Universal Postal Union Inter-American Institute for Cooperation World Health Organization World Intellectual Property Organization on Agriculture World Meteorological Organization Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research II. Peacekeeping Inter-American Tropical Tuna African Union/United Nations Hybrid Commission Mission in Darfur Pan American Health Organization United Nations Interim Administration Pan American Institute of Geography Mission in Kosovo and History United Nations Mission in Ethiopia/ Pan American Railway Congress Eritrea Association United Nations Mission in Liberia Postal Union of the Americas and Spain United Nations Mission in Sudan and Portugal 563

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IV. Regional Organizations International Cotton Advisory Committee Antarctic Treaty System International Council for the Exploration Arctic Council of the Seas Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation International Criminal Police Asia Pacific Energy Research Center Organization (INTERPOL) Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic International Customs Tariffs Bureau and Social Development in Asia and International Development Law the Pacific Organization Commission for Environmental International Energy Agency Cooperation International Energy Forum Secretariat Commission for Labor Cooperation International Fertilizer Development International Commission for the Center Conservation of Atlantic Tunas International Grains Council North Atlantic Assembly International Hydrographic Organization North Atlantic Treaty Organization International Institute for Applied North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Systems Analysis Organization International Institute for Cotton North Pacific Anadromous Fish International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Commission International Mobile Satellite North Pacific Coast Guard Forum Organization North Pacific Marine Science International North Pacific Fisheries Organization Commission Northwest Atlantic Fisheries International Organization for Legal Organization Metrology Secretariat of the Pacific Community International Organization of Supreme South Pacific Regional Environment Audit Institutions Program International Rubber Study Group Western and Central Pacific Fisheries International Science and Technology Commission Center International Seed Testing Association V. Other International Organizations International Service for National Center for International Forestry Agriculture Research Research International Sugar Council Commission for the Conservation of International Telecommunications Antarctic Marine Living Resources Satellite Organization Consultative Group on International International Tropical Timber Agricultural Research Organization COPAS-SARSAT (Search and Rescue International Union of Credit and Satellite System) Investment Insurers (Berne Union) Global Biodiversity Information Facility International Whaling Commission Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Inter-Parliamentary Union Council Iran-United States Claims Tribunal International Bureau for the Permanent Hague Conference on Private Court of Arbitration International Law International Bureau of Weights and Human Frontier Science Program Measures Organization International Center for Agricultural Multinational Force and Observers Research in the Dry Areas Nuclear Energy Agency International Center for Migration Policy Organization for Economic Cooperation Development and Development International Center for the Study of the Organization for the Prohibition of Preservation and the Restoration of Chemical Weapons Cultural Property Pacific Aviation Safety Office International Coffee Organization Permanent International Association of International Committee of the Red Cross Navigation Congresses

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Preparatory Commission for the African Development Bank Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Headquarters (temporary): Angle des Trois Treaty Rues, Avenue Du Ghana, Rue Pierre De Regional Environmental Center for Coubertin, Rue Hedi Nouira, BP. 323, 1002 Central and Eastern Europe Tunis Belve´de`re, Tunisia. Internet, Science and Technology Center in www.afdb.org. Email, [email protected]. Ukraine Sierra Leone Special Court President: Donald Kaberuka World Heritage Fund The African Development Bank (AFDB) World Customs Organization was established in 1964 and, by charter World Trade Organization amendment, opened its membership to non-African countries in 1982. Its VI. Special Voluntary Programs mandate is to contribute to the Asian Vegetable Research and economic development and social Development Center progress of its regional members. Bank Convention on International Trade in members total 77, including 53 African Endangered Species of Wild Fauna countries and 24 nonregional countries. and Flora (CITES) With the September 1999 ratification of Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, the agreement on the fifth general capital Tuberculosis, and Malaria increase, Bank ownership is 60 percent International Council for Science African and 40 percent nonregional. International Crop Research Institute for The African Development Fund Semi-Arid Tropics (AFDF), the concessional lending International Federation of the Red Cross affiliate, was established in 1973 to and Red Crescent Societies complement AFDB operations by International Food Policy Research providing concessional financing for Institute high-priority development projects in the International Fund for Agricultural poorest African countries. The Fund’s Development membership consists of 25 nonregional International Institute of Tropical member countries, South Africa, and Agriculture AFDB, which represents its African Joint United Nations Program on HIV/ members and is allocated half of the AIDS (UNAIDS) votes. Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization In February 2003, security concerns Multilateral Fund for the Implementation resulted in AFDB headquarters of the Montreal Protocol temporarily relocating to Tunis, Tunisia. Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel Asian Development Bank Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Headquarters: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong United Nations Children’s Fund City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines. Phone, (UNICEF) 632–632–4444. Fax, 632–636–2444. Internet, United Nations Development Fund for www.adb.org. Women (UNIFEM) President: Haruhiko Kuroda United Nations Development Program United Nations Environment Program The Asian Development Bank United Nations World Food Program commenced operations on December United Nations High Commissioner for 19, 1966. It now has 67 member Refugees Programs countries: 48 from Asia and 19 from United Nations Relief and Works Agency outside the region. United Nations Voluntary Fund for the The purpose of the Bank is to foster Victims of Torture sustainable economic development, World Agroforestry Center poverty alleviation, and cooperation World Health Organization Special among its developing member countries Programs in the Asia/Pacific region.

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For further information, contact the Asian The Inter-American Development Bank Development Bank, P.O. Box 789, 0980 Manila, Philippines. Email, [email protected]. Or contact (IDB) was established in 1959 to help the ADB North American Representative Office, accelerate economic and social 815 Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington, DC development in Latin America and the 20006. Phone, 202–728–1500. Email, Caribbean. It is based in Washington, [email protected]. DC. The Bank has 47 member countries, Inter-American Defense Board 26 of which are borrowing members in 2600 Sixteenth Street NW., Washington, DC Latin America and the Caribbean. 20441. Phone, 202–939–6041. Fax, 202– 387–2880. Internet, www.jid.org. Email, Inter-American Investment [email protected]. Corporation Chairman: Rear Adm. Elis Treidler Oberg Headquarters: 1350 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20577. Phone, 202–623– The Inter-American Defense Board is the 3900. Internet, www.iic.int. oldest permanently constituted, Chairman of Board of Directors: Luis Alberto international military organization in the Moreno world. It was founded by Resolution General Manager: Jacques Rogozinski XXXIX of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers at Rio de Janeiro in January The Inter-American Investment 1942. Senior army, navy, and air force Corporation (IIC), an affiliate of the Inter- officers from 25 member nations staff the American Development Bank based in various agencies of the Board. Its three Washington, DC, began operations in major components are the Council of 1989 to promote the economic Delegates, the decisionmaking body; the development of its Latin American and International Staff; the Inter-American Caribbean members by financing small- Defense College; and the Secretariat, and medium-size private enterprises. IIC which provides administrative and provides project financing in the form of logistical support. direct loans and equity investments, lines The Board studies and recommends to of credit to local financial intermediaries, member governments measures it feels and investments in local and regional are necessary for the safety and security investment funds. IIC has 43 member of the hemisphere. It also acts as a countries, of which 27 are in the technical military adviser for the Western Hemisphere, including the Organization of American States and is United States, and 16 are outside the involved in projects such as disaster region. preparedness and humanitarian demining programs in Central and South International Bank for America. Reconstruction and Development The Inter-American Defense College, Headquarters: 1818 H Street NW., founded in 1962, prepares senior Washington, DC 20433. Phone, 202–473– military officers and civilian 1000 functionaries for positions in their President: Robert Zoellick respective governments. The College’s multidisciplinary program uses four The International Bank for annual seminars to focus on the Western Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), Hemisphere’s most pressing defense and also known as the World Bank, officially security issues. came into existence on December 27, 1945. Inter-American Development Bank The Bank’s purpose is to promote economic, social, and environmental Headquarters: 1300 New York Avenue NW., progress in developing nations by Washington, DC 20577. Phone, 202–623– reducing poverty so that their people 1000. Internet, www.iadb.org. may live better and fuller lives. The Bank President: Luis Alberto Moreno lends funds at market-determined interest

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rates, provides advice, and serves as a privatization, corporate restructuring, catalyst to stimulate outside investments. and foreign investment. Its resources come primarily from funds raised in the world capital markets, its International Monetary Fund retained earnings, and repayments on its 700 Nineteenth Street NW., Washington, DC loans. 20431. Phone, 202–623–7000. Fax, 202– International Development Association 623–4661. Internet, www.imf.org. The International Development Managing Director and Chairman of the Association (IDA) came into existence on Executive Board: Dominique Strauss-Kahn September 24, 1960, as an affiliate of First Deputy Managing Director: IBRD. The Association’s resources John Lipsky consist of subscriptions and Deputy Managing Directors: Murilo Portugal, supplementary resources in the form of Takatoshi Kato general replenishments, mostly from its more industrialized and developed The Final Act of the United Nations members; special contributions by its Monetary and Financial Conference, richer members; repayments on earlier signed at Bretton Woods, NH, on July credits; and transfers from IBRD’s net 22, 1944, set forth the original Articles earnings. of Agreement of the International The Association promotes economic Monetary Fund (IMF). The Agreement development, reduces poverty, and became effective on December 27, raises the standard of living in the least 1945, when the President, authorized by developed areas of the world. It does the Bretton Woods Agreements Act (22 this by financing their developmental U.S.C. 286), accepted membership for requirements on concessionary terms, the United States in IMF, the Agreement which are more flexible and bear less having thus been accepted by countries heavily on the balance of payments than whose combined financial commitments those of conventional loans, thereby (quotas) equaled approximately 80 furthering the objectives of IBRD and percent of IMF’s original quotas. The supplementing its activities. inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors was held in March 1946, and International Finance Corporation the first meeting of the Executive Directors was held May 6, 1946. Headquarters: 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue On May 31, 1968, the Board of NW., Washington, DC 20433. Phone, 202– Governors approved an amendment to 473–3800. Internet, www.ifc.org. the Articles of Agreement for the President: Robert Zoellick establishment of a facility based on Executive Vice President: Lars Thunell Special Drawing Rights (SDR) in IMF and for modification of certain IMF rules and The International Finance Corporation practices. The amendment became (IFC), an affiliate of the World Bank, was effective on July 28, 1969, and the established in July 1956 to promote Special Drawing Account became productive private enterprise in operative on August 6, 1969. United developing member countries. States acceptance of the amendment and The Corporation pursues its objective participation in the Special Drawing principally through direct debt and Account were authorized by the Special equity investments in projects that Drawing Rights Act (22 U.S.C. 286 et establish new businesses or expand, seq.). modify, or diversify existing businesses. On April 30, 1976, the Board of It also encourages cofinancing by other Governors approved a second investors and lenders. amendment to the Articles of Agreement, Additionally, advisory services and which entered into force on April 1, technical assistance are provided by IFC 1978. This amendment gave members to developing member countries in areas the right to adopt exchange such as capital market development, arrangements of their choice while

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placing certain obligations on them financing to countries suffering declines regarding their exchange rate policies, in export earnings, emergency assistance over which IMF was to exercise firm for countries recovering from natural surveillance. The official price of gold disasters or armed conflict, and low- was abolished, and the SDR account interest rate resources to support was promoted as the principal reserve structural adjustment and promote asset of the international monetary growth in the poorest countries. IMF also system. United States acceptance of this provides technical assistance and amendment was authorized by the training to its members. As of December Bretton Woods Agreements Act 31, 2007, IMF usable resources were Amendments (22 U.S.C. 286e–5). SDR 165.4 billion ($261.4 billion), and On June 28, 1990, the Board of 1-year forward commitment capacity Governors approved a third amendment was SDR 127.7 billion ($201.7 billion). to the Articles of Agreement, which became effective on November 11, For further information, contact the Chief, Public Affairs Division, External Relations Department, 1992. Under this amendment, a International Monetary Fund, 700 Nineteenth Street member’s voting rights and certain NW., Washington, DC 20431. Phone, 202–623– related rights may be suspended by a 7300. Fax, 202–623–6278. Email, 70-percent majority of the executive [email protected]. Internet, www.imf.org. board if the member, having been declared ineligible to use the general International Organization for resources of the Fund, persists in its Migration failure to fulfill any of its obligations Headquarters: 17 Route des Morillons, Grand- under the Articles. Saconnex, Geneva. Mailing address, P.O. Box As of December 31, 2007, IMF had 71, CH–1211, Geneva 19, Switzerland. 185 member countries. Total quotas at Phone, 011–41–22–717–9111. Fax, 011–41– the end of December 2007 were SDR 22–798–6150. Internet, www.iom.int. 217.3 billion (about $343.4 billion). The IMF promotes international Director General: William Lacy Swing (United monetary cooperation through a States) permanent forum for consultation and Deputy Director General: Ndioro Ndiaye collaboration on international monetary (Senegal) problems; facilitates the expansion and Washington Office: Suite 700, 1752 N Street balanced growth of international trade; NW., Washington, DC 20036. Phone, 202– promotes exchange rate stability; assists 862–1826. Fax, 202–862–1879. Email, in the establishment of an open [email protected]. multilateral system of payments for Regional Representative: Richard Scott current transactions among members; (United States) and gives confidence to members by making IMF resources temporarily New York Office: Suite 1610, 122 E. 42d available to them under adequate Street, New York, NY 10168. Phone, 212– safeguards. 681–7000. Fax, 212–867–5887. Email, IMF helps its members correct [email protected] imbalances in their international Chief of Mission: Michael Gray (United balances of payments. It periodically States) examines the economic developments Permanent Observer to the United Nations: and policies of its member countries, Luca Dall’Oglio (Italy) offers policy advice, and at member’s request and upon executive board The International Organization for approval, provides financial assistance Migration (IOM) was formed in 1951 as through a variety of financial facilities the Intergovernmental Committee for designed to address specific problems. European Migration (ICEM) to help solve These financing mechanisms provide the postwar problems of refugees and access to the Fund’s general resources to displaced persons in Europe and to assist offer short-term assistance during crises in orderly transatlantic migration. It of market confidence, compensatory adopted its current name in 1989 to

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reflect its progressively global outreach. disturbance; and by providing advisory Since its creation, IOM has assisted more and consultative services. The Agency than 12 million refugees and migrants in cooperates with national investment over 125 countries. As of April 2009, insurance schemes, such as OPIC, and 125 governments are members of IOM, with private insurers. and 18 others have observer status. IOM has observer status at the United Organization of American States * Nations. Headquarters: Seventeenth Street and IOM’s guiding principle is that Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC humane and orderly migration benefits 20006. Phone, 202–458–3000. Fax, 202– migrants and societies. In carrying out its 458–3967. Internet, www.oas.org. mandate, IOM helps migrants, governments, and civil society plan and Secretary General: Jose´ Miguel Insulza operate international and national Assistant Secretary General: Albert R. Ramdin migration programs at the request of its The Organization of American States member states and in cooperation with (OAS) brings together the countries of other international organizations. Its the Western Hemisphere to strengthen major objectives are the processing and cooperation and advance common movement of migrants and refugees to interests. At the core of the OAS mission countries offering them permanent is a commitment to democracy. Building resettlement opportunities; the promotion on this foundation, OAS works to of orderly migration to meet the needs of promote good governance, strengthen both emigration and immigration human rights, foster peace and security, communities; counter-trafficking expand trade, and address the complex activities; the transfer of technology problems caused by poverty, drugs, and through migration in order to promote corruption. Through decisions made by the economic, educational, and social its political bodies and programs carried advancement of developing countries; out by its General Secretariat, OAS the provision of a forum for states and promotes greater inter-American other partners to exchange views; the cooperation and understanding. promotion of cooperation and OAS member states have intensified coordination on migration issues; and their cooperation since the end of the technical cooperation and advisory cold war, taking on new and important services on migration policies and challenges. In 1994, the region’s 34 legislation. democratically elected presidents and prime ministers met in Miami for the Multilateral Investment Guarantee First Summit of the Americas, where they Agency established broad political, economic, and social development goals. They Headquarters: 1818 H Street NW., have continued to meet periodically Washington, DC 20433. Phone, 202–458– since then to examine common interests 9292. Internet, www.miga.org. and priorities. Through the ongoing President: Robert Zoellick Summits of the Americas process, the Executive Vice President: Izumi Kobayashi region’s leaders have entrusted the OAS The Multilateral Investment Guarantee with a growing number of Agency (MIGA), an affiliate of the World responsibilities to help advance the Bank, was formally constituted in April countries’ shared vision. 1988. With four official languages—English, Its basic purpose is to facilitate the Spanish, Portuguese, and French—the flow of foreign private investment for OAS reflects the rich diversity of peoples productive purposes to developing and cultures across the Americas. The member countries by offering long-term * EDITORIAL NOTE: The Organization of political risk insurance in the areas of American States did not meet the publication expropriation, transfer restriction, breach deadline for submitting updated information of its of contract, and war and civil activities, functions, and sources of information.

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OAS has 35 member states; the This brings the number of member states independent nations of North, Central to 35. and South America; and the Caribbean. For further information, contact the Director, Since 1962, Cuba has been barred from Department of Press and Communications, OAS, participation by resolution of the Eight 1889 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20006. Phone, Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. 202–458–3760. Fax, 202–458–6421. Countries from all around the world are permanent observers, closely following United Nations the issues that are critical to the United Nations, New York, NY 10017. Americas and often providing key Phone, 212–963–1234. Internet, www.un.org. financial support for OAS programs. Secretary-General: Ban Ki-moon Member states set major policies and goals through the General Assembly, United Nations Office at Geneva: Palais des which gathers the hemisphere’s foreign Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland ministers once a year in regular session. Director-General: Sergei Ordzhonikidze The Permanent Council, made up of ambassadors appointed by member United Nations Office at Vienna: Vienna states, meets regularly at OAS International Centre, P.O. Box 500, A–1400, headquarters in Washington, DC, to Vienna, Austria guide ongoing policies and actions. The Director-General: Antonio Maria Costa chairmanship of the Permanent Council rotates every 3 months, in alphabetical Washington, DC, Office: U.N. Information order of countries. Each member state Centre, Suite 400, 1775 K Street NW., has an equal voice, and most decisions Washington, DC 20006. Phone, 202–331– are made through consensus. 8670. Fax, 202–331–9191. Internet, Also under the OAS umbrella are www.unicwash.org. Email, several specialized agencies that have [email protected] considerable autonomy. Those agencies Director: Will Davis are the Pan American Health The United Nations is an international Organization in Washington, DC; the organization that was set up in Inter-American Children’s Institute in accordance with the Charter 1 drafted by Montevideo, Uruguay; the Inter- governments represented at the American Institute for Cooperation on Conference on International Agriculture in San Jose´, Costa Rica; and Organization meeting at San Francisco. the Pan American Institute of Geography The Charter was signed on June 26, and History and the Inter-American 1945, and came into force on October Indian Institute, both in Mexico City. 24, 1945, when the required number of In 1948, 21 nations of the hemisphere ratifications and accessions had been signed the OAS Charter at the Ninth made by the signatories. Amendments International Conference of American increasing membership of the Security States. They were Argentina, Bolivia, Council and the Economic and Social Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Council came into effect on August 31, Cuba (barred from participation), 1965. Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El The United Nations now consists of Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, 191 member states, of which 51 are Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, founding members. Peru, United States of America, Uruguay, The purposes of the United Nations and Venezuela. set out in the Charter are to maintain Subsequently, 14 other countries joined the OAS by signing and ratifying 1 Charter of the United Nations, together with the the Charter. They were Barbados, Statute of the International Court of Justice Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, (Department of State Publication No. 2353, Suriname, Dominica, Saint Lucia, International Organization and Conference Series III, 21), June 26, 1945. Available for sale from the Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing the Grenadines, the Bahamas, Saint Kitts Office, Washington, DC 20402. Phone, 202–512– and Nevis, Canada, Belize, and Guyana. 1800.

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international peace and security; to permanent members. The 10 develop friendly relations among nonpermanent members are elected for nations; to achieve international 2-year terms by the General Assembly. cooperation in solving international The primary responsibility of the Security problems of an economic, social, Council is to act on behalf of the cultural, or humanitarian character and members of the United Nations in in promoting respect for human rights; maintenance of international peace and and to be a center for harmonizing the security. Measures that may be actions of nations in the attainment of employed by the Security Council are these common ends. outlined in the Charter. The principal organs of the United The Security Council, together with Nations are as follows: the General Assembly, also elects the General Assembly All states that are judges of the International Court of members of the United Nations are Justice and makes a recommendation to members of the General Assembly. Its the General Assembly on the functions are to consider and discuss any appointment of the Secretary-General of matter within the scope of the Charter of the organization. the United Nations and to make The Security Council first met in recommendations to the members of the London on January 17, 1946, and is so United Nations and other organs. It organized as to be able to function approves the budget of the organization, continuously. the expenses of which are borne by the Economic and Social Council This members as apportioned by the General organ is responsible, under the authority Assembly. of the General Assembly, for the The General Assembly may call the economic and social programs of the attention of the Security Council to United Nations. Its functions include situations likely to endanger international making or initiating studies, reports, and peace and security, may initiate studies, recommendations on international and may receive and consider reports economic, social, cultural, educational, from other organs of the United Nations. health, and related matters; promoting Under the ‘‘Uniting for Peace’’ respect for and observance of human resolution adopted by the General rights and fundamental freedoms for all; Assembly in November 1950, if the calling international conferences and Security Council fails to act on an preparing draft conventions for apparent threat to or breach of the peace submission to the General Assembly on or act of aggression because of lack of matters within its competence; unanimity of its five permanent negotiating agreements with the members, the Assembly itself may take specialized agencies and defining their up the matter within 24 hours—in relationship with the United Nations; emergency special session—and coordinating the activities of the recommend collective measures, specialized agencies; and consulting including, in case of a breach of the with nongovernmental organizations peace or act of aggression, use of armed concerned with matters within its force when necessary to maintain or competence. The Council consists of 54 restore international peace and security. members of the United Nations elected The General Assembly normally meets by the General Assembly for 3-year in regular annual session from terms; 18 are elected each year. September through December. It also The Council usually holds two regular has met in special sessions and sessions a year. It has also held a emergency special sessions. number of special sessions. Security Council The Security Council Trusteeship Council The Trusteeship consists of 15 members, of which 5—the Council was initially established to People’s Republic of China, France, consist of any member states that Russia, the United Kingdom, and the administered trust territories, permanent United States of America—are members of the Security Council that did

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not administer trust territories, and the recommendation of the Security enough other nonadministering countries Council. elected by the General Assembly for 3- The jurisdiction of the Court comprises year terms to ensure that membership all cases that the parties refer to it and would be equally divided between all matters specially provided for in the administering and nonadministering Charter of the United Nations or in members. Under authority of the treaties and conventions in force. General Assembly, the Council considered reports from members The Court consists of 15 judges known administering trust territories, examined as ‘‘members’’ of the Court. They are petitions from trust territory inhabitants, elected for 9-year terms by the General and provided for periodic inspection Assembly and the Security Council, visits to trust territories. voting independently, and may be With the independence of Palau, the reelected. last remaining U.N. trust territory, the Secretariat The Secretariat consists of a Trusteeship Council formally suspended Secretary-General and ‘‘such staff as the operations after nearly half a century. Organization may require.’’ The The council will henceforth meet only Secretary-General, who is appointed by on an extraordinary basis, as the need the General Assembly on the may arise. recommendation of the Security Council, International Court of Justice The is the chief administrative officer of the International Court of Justice is the United Nations. He acts in that capacity principal judicial organ of the United for the General Assembly, the Security Nations. It has its seat at The Hague, the Council, the Economic and Social Netherlands. All members of the United Council, and the Trusteeship Council. Nations are ipso facto parties to the Under the Charter, the Secretary-General Statute of the Court. Nonmembers of the ‘‘may bring to the attention of the United Nations may become parties to Security Council any matter that in his the Statute of the Court on conditions opinion may threaten the maintenance prescribed by the General Assembly on of international peace and security.’’

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