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Home > International Law > United Nations Systems > United Nations Entities

United Nations Entities

Last updated December 2024

The United Nations system is composed of six main bodies, the General Assembly, Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. The General Assembly acts as the primary deliberative, policymaking, and representative body of the UN while the Security Council is supposed to maintain peace and security around the world. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is responsible for addressing global economic, social, and environmental issues. While most of these bodies address violence against women, more responsibility resides in ECOSOC. The Trusteeship Council provides international supervision for 11 Trust Territories and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) settles legal disputes and gives advisory opinions. Finally, the UN Secretariat carries out the work of the UN as directed by the other main bodies.

There are five types of subsidiary organizations to the main bodies. For example, UN programs and funds that report to the General Assembly and ECOSOC. These organizations work to improve the conditions of specific populations, including women. The UN programs and funds are self-governed and have their own budgets and secretariats. Members of this group include: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Specialized agencies also report to ECOSOC. These agencies are autonomous bodies created through international agreements which cover a wide spectrum of international responsibilities, including economic, social, education, and health issues. Some of the specialized agencies address issues that are relevant to ending violence against women, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Research and training institutes, which report to the General Assembly and ECOSOC, are created in an ad hoc manner. They provide extensive research and training to UN staff and Member States. The priorities of the institutes include economic and social development, disarmament, and criminal justice.

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