THE UNITED NATIONS
The UN was established on the 24th of October 1945 by 51 states after the disaster of Word War 2. The UN was a response taken by the great powers that led the war against Germany and Japan, and the big 5 (USSR, US, UK, China and France) become the head of the Security Council which still have veto power today.
In 2006, the number member states had grown 192, representing nearly every state in the world, and all member states must accept the obligations on the UN Charter.
In 2006, the number member states had grown 192, representing nearly every state in the world, and all member states must accept the obligations on the UN Charter.
THE UNHCR
The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees) is the UN refugee agency and was established on the 14th of December 1950, by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action and protection of refugees world wide.
THE UNHCR IN SYRIA
The unrest that has unfolded in Syria has severely impacted upon one of the largest urban-refugee populations in the world. Damascus is home to many refugees from countries from all over the Middle East and Africa, and when the civil unrest in Syria broke out in late 2010 many of these refugees opted to move back to their own war torn countries. As of September 2012, 1.5 - 2.5 million people had fled their homes in Syria to find a safer place to live. In response to this crisis, the UNHCR developed a multi-sector emergency programme within the framework of the UN Syria Humanitarian Response Plan in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).
The main objectives and targets the UNHCR has set in Syria for 2013 are:
- security from violence and exploitation
- around 700 individuals benefit from counselling services
- at least 300 SGBV survivors received legal assistance
- the protection of children is strengthen through their capacity the prevent the SGBV from harming children
- fair protection processes and documentation
- registration and renewal activities are undertaken within the guidelines set
- basic needs and essential services
- around 11,000 refugee families receive money assistance on a monthly basis
- around 20,000 Syrian families are assisted with one time cash grants
- ensuring that the population of concern has enough basic and domestic items
- around 50,000 Syrian families receive non food items
- around 100,000 refugees benefit from primary health care
- ensuring that the population has access to optimal education
- community empowerment and self-reliance
- services are provided that bring together refugee outreach volunteers and local partners
- community mobilisation is strengthened and expanded
- self-reliance and livelihood opportunities are improved
- durable solutions
- around 5,100 individuals are submitted for resettlement while 3,500 have been facilitated
- the potential for voluntary return to their country of origin is promoted with some 3,000 Iraqi refugees opting to be assisted to return home
The UNHCR is unable to put these measures in effect without the suport of the SARC, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NGOs and other local associations.
THE UNHCR IN SYRIA
The unrest that has unfolded in Syria has severely impacted upon one of the largest urban-refugee populations in the world. Damascus is home to many refugees from countries from all over the Middle East and Africa, and when the civil unrest in Syria broke out in late 2010 many of these refugees opted to move back to their own war torn countries. As of September 2012, 1.5 - 2.5 million people had fled their homes in Syria to find a safer place to live. In response to this crisis, the UNHCR developed a multi-sector emergency programme within the framework of the UN Syria Humanitarian Response Plan in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).
The main objectives and targets the UNHCR has set in Syria for 2013 are:
- security from violence and exploitation
- around 700 individuals benefit from counselling services
- at least 300 SGBV survivors received legal assistance
- the protection of children is strengthen through their capacity the prevent the SGBV from harming children
- fair protection processes and documentation
- registration and renewal activities are undertaken within the guidelines set
- basic needs and essential services
- around 11,000 refugee families receive money assistance on a monthly basis
- around 20,000 Syrian families are assisted with one time cash grants
- ensuring that the population of concern has enough basic and domestic items
- around 50,000 Syrian families receive non food items
- around 100,000 refugees benefit from primary health care
- ensuring that the population has access to optimal education
- community empowerment and self-reliance
- services are provided that bring together refugee outreach volunteers and local partners
- community mobilisation is strengthened and expanded
- self-reliance and livelihood opportunities are improved
- durable solutions
- around 5,100 individuals are submitted for resettlement while 3,500 have been facilitated
- the potential for voluntary return to their country of origin is promoted with some 3,000 Iraqi refugees opting to be assisted to return home
The UNHCR is unable to put these measures in effect without the suport of the SARC, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NGOs and other local associations.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is aimed at fighting poverty and hunger. The main programmes that run are:
- cash and volunteers
- Food for Assets
- HIV/AIDS
- Purchase for Progress
- School Meals
As well as the UNHCR working in Syria, the WFP has also responded with an operation to provide food for those refugees that have fled Syria to Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Lebabnon and Egypt. This is mainly done through food vouchers that are redeemable in local shops as well as direct food distributions.
- cash and volunteers
- Food for Assets
- HIV/AIDS
- Purchase for Progress
- School Meals
As well as the UNHCR working in Syria, the WFP has also responded with an operation to provide food for those refugees that have fled Syria to Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Lebabnon and Egypt. This is mainly done through food vouchers that are redeemable in local shops as well as direct food distributions.
UN PEACEKEEPING
The UN is currently working in the Middle East to help bring stability to the area through the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The UN's most fundamental aim is to keep peace throughout the world; however they have objectives below this that include:
- helping to develop friendly relationships between States
- attempting to eliminate poverty
- focussing on eradicating disease and illiteracy
- stopping environmental damage
- encouraging respect for rights and freedoms
- helping States in achieving these aims
HOW DOES THE UN ACHIEVE THESE AIMS?
The Untied Nations achieves its aims through subgroups when it cannot deal with them directly. These subgroups wield a lot of power and influence in the Global arena. Organisations include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank , World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The World Health Organization exercised this power through their "3 by 5" initiative, in December 2003 they increased the amount of people that they treated for HIV and in 2006 the amount of HIV treatment in low and middle income countries had gone from 400,000 to a staggering 1.65 million. The Acting Directing-General of WHO Dr Anders Nordstrom said "The AIDs epidemic provides us with clear evidence that even some of the most complex health and development problems can be successfully addressed."
- helping to develop friendly relationships between States
- attempting to eliminate poverty
- focussing on eradicating disease and illiteracy
- stopping environmental damage
- encouraging respect for rights and freedoms
- helping States in achieving these aims
HOW DOES THE UN ACHIEVE THESE AIMS?
The Untied Nations achieves its aims through subgroups when it cannot deal with them directly. These subgroups wield a lot of power and influence in the Global arena. Organisations include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank , World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP), the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The World Health Organization exercised this power through their "3 by 5" initiative, in December 2003 they increased the amount of people that they treated for HIV and in 2006 the amount of HIV treatment in low and middle income countries had gone from 400,000 to a staggering 1.65 million. The Acting Directing-General of WHO Dr Anders Nordstrom said "The AIDs epidemic provides us with clear evidence that even some of the most complex health and development problems can be successfully addressed."
CRITICISMS
The current crisis in Syria has created a large amount of turmoil within the UN and more specifically the Security Counsel. After the passing of the 2042 and 2043 Resolution in Syria on April 14th and April 21st 2012 respectively, there was a feeling that the Syrian crisis would processed just as the crisis had been resolved in Libya. However the later withdrawal of 30 unarmed military advisors in Syria, on June 16th 2012, due to Norwegian Major General Robert Mood believing that the "escalating violence" endangered the people on the mission. Discontent was growing in the ranks of the UN because the Security Counsel could not come to an agreement on how to resolve the escalating crisis. Both Russia and China believe that the UN overstepped their authoritative power in the Libyan conflict by becoming militant, which therefore reduced Libya's sovereignty, and are continually rejecting the proposals made by France, the UK and the US who believe that imminent military action must be taken. Regardless of the debate between the two sides; the dysfunction of the Security Counsel is seen because of the lack of action from either side occurring, due to the problematic veto power of the "big five."
POSITIVE WORK OF THE UN
In February 2011, The United Nations in affiliation with the Arab League finally accepted to take action against the growing domestic violence in Libya; mainly due to the authoritarian Gaddfi regime that was in power at the time. The UN Resolution 1973 was passed on the 17th of March; which was proposed by France, Lebanon and the United Kingdom. This Resolution allowed the UN to freeze all assets to the Gaddfi regime, classify Libya as a no fly zone, demand an immediate ceasefire, stop the supply of weapons to the regime and for a legal basis military intervention. Ten of the security council members voted in the affirmative for this action including United States, France and UK, with five members abstaining these were India, China and Russia, Brazil and Germany. This Resolution lead to both Operation Unified Protector and Operation Odyssey Dawn, both of these operations were run through NATO, however this was due to the USA passing the command of Odyssey to NATO. These operations lead to the elimination of vital military bases in the civil war, this lead to a drastic decrease in both sides ability to continue the conflict and resulted in the death of Gaddfi and the progression to a more democratic society.
POSITIVE WORK OF THE UN
In February 2011, The United Nations in affiliation with the Arab League finally accepted to take action against the growing domestic violence in Libya; mainly due to the authoritarian Gaddfi regime that was in power at the time. The UN Resolution 1973 was passed on the 17th of March; which was proposed by France, Lebanon and the United Kingdom. This Resolution allowed the UN to freeze all assets to the Gaddfi regime, classify Libya as a no fly zone, demand an immediate ceasefire, stop the supply of weapons to the regime and for a legal basis military intervention. Ten of the security council members voted in the affirmative for this action including United States, France and UK, with five members abstaining these were India, China and Russia, Brazil and Germany. This Resolution lead to both Operation Unified Protector and Operation Odyssey Dawn, both of these operations were run through NATO, however this was due to the USA passing the command of Odyssey to NATO. These operations lead to the elimination of vital military bases in the civil war, this lead to a drastic decrease in both sides ability to continue the conflict and resulted in the death of Gaddfi and the progression to a more democratic society.
LEVEL OF INFLUENCE
The UN directly cannot have an effect on crisis, as the UN's principle that member States must avoid using force or threating to use force, that they must try and settle there differences by peacful means, the UN may not interfere in domestic affairs, and that member states don't have to ratify the documents that are signed by other member states and they have no direct military force.
All these issues contribute to the UN having very little direct influence, power and authority over any individual States, and it is more the independent power of NGO's and States that use the UN as a medium for there own political agenda and national interest; as Russia is doing at the moment with the supply of 1.5 billion dollars worth of arms in 2000-2010 to the Syrian regime. This has resulted in Russia exercising their veto power for there own State based gain. However the gain of the States interest has always outweighed the collective interest of the UN, and the UN doesn't have the power to prevent this which results in a lack of political influence in the global arena.
All these issues contribute to the UN having very little direct influence, power and authority over any individual States, and it is more the independent power of NGO's and States that use the UN as a medium for there own political agenda and national interest; as Russia is doing at the moment with the supply of 1.5 billion dollars worth of arms in 2000-2010 to the Syrian regime. This has resulted in Russia exercising their veto power for there own State based gain. However the gain of the States interest has always outweighed the collective interest of the UN, and the UN doesn't have the power to prevent this which results in a lack of political influence in the global arena.
MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Afghanistan - Nov 19, 1946
Albania - Dec 14, 1955
Algeria - Oct 8, 1962
Andorra - July 28, 1993
Angola - Dec 1, 1976
Antigua and Barbuda - Nov 11, 1981
Argentina - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Armenia - March 2, 1992
Australia - Nov 1, 1945 (original UN member)
Austria - Dec 14, 1955
Azerbaijan - March 2, 1992
The Bahamas - Sept 18, 1973
Bahrain - Sept 21, 1971
Bangladesh - Sept 17, 1974
Barbados - Dec 9, 1966
Belarus - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Belgium - Dec 27, 1945 (original UN member)
Belize - Sept 25, 1981
Benin - Sept 20, 1960
Bhutan - Sept 21, 1971
Bolivia - Nov 14, 1945 (original UN member)
Bosnia and Herzegovina - May 22, 1992
Botswana - Oct 17, 1966
Brazil - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Brunei - Sept 21, 1984
Bulgaria - Dec 14, 1955
Burkina Faso - Sept 20, 1960
Burundi - Sept 18, 1962
Cambodia - Dec 14, 1955
Cameroon - Sept 20, 1960
Canada - Nov 9, 1945 (original UN member)
Cape Verde - Sept 16, 1975
Central African Republic - Sept 20, 1960
Chad - Sept 20, 1960
Chile - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
China - Oct 25, 1971
Colombia - Nov 5, 1945 (original UN member)
Comoros - Nov 12, 1975
Republic of the Congo - Sept 20, 1960
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Sept 20, 1960
Costa Rica - Nov 2, 1945 (original UN member)
Cote d'Ivoire - Sept 20, 1960
Croatia - May 22, 1992
Cuba - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Cyprus - Sept 20, 1960
Czech Republic - Jan 19, 1993
Denmark - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Djibouti - Sept 20, 1977
Dominica - Dec 18, 1978
Dominican Republic - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
East Timor - Sept 22, 2002
Ecuador - Dec 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Egypt - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
El Salvador - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Equatorial Guinea - Nov 12, 1968
Eritrea - May 28, 1993
Estonia - Sept 17, 1991
Ethiopia - Nov 13, 1945 (original UN member)
Fiji - Oct 13, 1970
Finland - Dec 14, 1955
France - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Gabon - Sept 20, 1960
The Gambia - Sept 21, 1965
Georgia - July 31, 1992
Germany - Sept 18, 1973
Ghana - March 8, 1957
Greece - Oct 25, 1945 (original UN member)
Grenada - Sept 17, 1974
Guatemala - Nov 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Guinea - Dec 12, 1958
Guinea-Bissau - Sept 17, 1974
Guyana - Sept 20, 1966
Haiti - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Honduras - Dec 17, 1945 (original UN member)
Hungary - Dec 14, 1955
Iceland - Nov 19, 1946
India - Oct 30, 1945 (original UN member)
Indonesia - Sept 28, 1950
Iran - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Iraq - Dec 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Ireland - Dec 14, 1955
Israel - May 11, 1949
Italy - Dec 14, 1955
Jamaica - Sept 18, 1962
Japan - Dec 18, 1956
Jordan - Dec 14, 1955
Kazakhstan - March 2, 1992
Kenya - Dec 16, 1963
Kiribati - Sept 14, 1999
Korea, North - Dec 17, 1991
Korea, South - Dec 17, 1991
Kuwait - May 14, 1964
Kyrgyzstan - March 2, 1992
Laos - Dec 14, 1955
Latvia - Sept 17, 1991
Lebanon - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Lesotho - Oct 17, 1966
Liberia - Nov 2, 1945 (original UN member)
Libya - Dec 14, 1955
Liechtenstein - Sept 18, 1990
Lithuania - Sept 17, 1991
Luxembourg - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Macedonia - April 8, 1993
Madagascar - Sept 20, 1960
Malawi - Dec 1, 1964
Malaysia - Sept 17, 1957
Maldives - Sept 21, 1965
Mali - Sept 28, 1960
Malta - Dec 1, 1964
Marshall Islands - Sept 17, 1991
Mauritania - Oct 27, 1961
Mauritius - April 24, 1968
Mexico - Nov 7, 1945 (original UN member)
Micronesia, Federated States of - Sept 17, 1991
Moldova - March 2, 1992
Monaco - May 28, 1993
Mongolia - Oct 27, 1961
Montenegro - June 28, 2006
Morocco - Nov 12, 1956
Mozambique - Sept 16, 1975
Myanmar (Burma) - April 19, 1948
Namibia - April 23, 1990
Nauru - Sept 14, 1999
Nepal - Dec 14, 1955
Netherlands - Dec 10, 1945 (original UN member)
New Zealand - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Nicaragua - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Niger - Sept 20, 1960
Nigeria - Oct 7, 1960
Norway - Nov 27, 1945 (original UN member)
Oman - Oct 7, 1971
Pakistan - Sept 30, 1947
Palau - Dec 15, 1994
Panama - Nov 13, 1945 (original UN member)
Papua New Guinea - Oct 10, 1945
Paraguay - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member country)
Peru - Oct 31, 1945 (original UN member)
Philippines - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Poland - Oct 24, 1945
Portugal - Dec 14, 1955
Qatar - Sept 21, 1977
Romania - Dec 14, 1955
Russia - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Rwanda - Sept 18, 1962
Saint Kitts and Nevis - Sept 23, 1983
Saint Lucia - Sept 18, 1979
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Sept. 16, 1980
Samoa - Dec 15, 1976
San Marino - March 2, 1992
Sao Tome and Principe - Sept 16, 1975
Saudi Arabia - Oct 24, 1945
Senegal - Sept 28, 1945
Serbia - Nov 1, 2000
Seychelles - Sept 21, 1976
Sierra Leone - Sept 27, 1961
Singapore - Sept 21, 1965
Slovakia - Jan 19, 1993
Slovenia - May 22, 1992
Solomon Islands - Sept 19, 1978
Somalia - Sept 20, 1960
South Africa - Nov 7, 1945 (original UN member)
South Sudan - July 14, 2011
Spain - Dec 14, 1955
Sri Lanka - Dec 14, 1955
Sudan - Nov 12, 1956
Suriname - Dec 4, 1975
Swaziland - Sept 24, 1968
Sweden - Nov 19, 1946
Switzerland - Sept 10, 2002
Syria - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Tajikistan - March 2, 1992
Tanzania - Dec 14, 1961
Thailand - Dec 16, 1946
Togo - Sept 20, 1960
Tonga - Sept 14, 1999
Trinidad and Tobago - Sept 18, 1962
Tunisia - Nov 12, 1956
Turkey - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Turkmenistan - March 2, 1992
Tuvalu - Sept 5, 2000
Uganda - Oct 25, 1962
Ukraine - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
United Arab Emirates - Dec 9, 1971
United Kingdom - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
United States of America - Oct 24, 1945
Uruguay - Dec 18, 1945
Uzbekistan - March 2, 1992
Vanuatu - Sept 15, 1981
Venezuela - Nov 15, 1945 (original UN member)
Vietnam - Sept 20, 1977
Yemen - Sept 30, 1947
Zambia - Dec 1, 1964
Zimbabwe - Aug 25, 1980
Albania - Dec 14, 1955
Algeria - Oct 8, 1962
Andorra - July 28, 1993
Angola - Dec 1, 1976
Antigua and Barbuda - Nov 11, 1981
Argentina - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Armenia - March 2, 1992
Australia - Nov 1, 1945 (original UN member)
Austria - Dec 14, 1955
Azerbaijan - March 2, 1992
The Bahamas - Sept 18, 1973
Bahrain - Sept 21, 1971
Bangladesh - Sept 17, 1974
Barbados - Dec 9, 1966
Belarus - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Belgium - Dec 27, 1945 (original UN member)
Belize - Sept 25, 1981
Benin - Sept 20, 1960
Bhutan - Sept 21, 1971
Bolivia - Nov 14, 1945 (original UN member)
Bosnia and Herzegovina - May 22, 1992
Botswana - Oct 17, 1966
Brazil - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Brunei - Sept 21, 1984
Bulgaria - Dec 14, 1955
Burkina Faso - Sept 20, 1960
Burundi - Sept 18, 1962
Cambodia - Dec 14, 1955
Cameroon - Sept 20, 1960
Canada - Nov 9, 1945 (original UN member)
Cape Verde - Sept 16, 1975
Central African Republic - Sept 20, 1960
Chad - Sept 20, 1960
Chile - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
China - Oct 25, 1971
Colombia - Nov 5, 1945 (original UN member)
Comoros - Nov 12, 1975
Republic of the Congo - Sept 20, 1960
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Sept 20, 1960
Costa Rica - Nov 2, 1945 (original UN member)
Cote d'Ivoire - Sept 20, 1960
Croatia - May 22, 1992
Cuba - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Cyprus - Sept 20, 1960
Czech Republic - Jan 19, 1993
Denmark - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Djibouti - Sept 20, 1977
Dominica - Dec 18, 1978
Dominican Republic - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
East Timor - Sept 22, 2002
Ecuador - Dec 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Egypt - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
El Salvador - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Equatorial Guinea - Nov 12, 1968
Eritrea - May 28, 1993
Estonia - Sept 17, 1991
Ethiopia - Nov 13, 1945 (original UN member)
Fiji - Oct 13, 1970
Finland - Dec 14, 1955
France - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Gabon - Sept 20, 1960
The Gambia - Sept 21, 1965
Georgia - July 31, 1992
Germany - Sept 18, 1973
Ghana - March 8, 1957
Greece - Oct 25, 1945 (original UN member)
Grenada - Sept 17, 1974
Guatemala - Nov 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Guinea - Dec 12, 1958
Guinea-Bissau - Sept 17, 1974
Guyana - Sept 20, 1966
Haiti - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Honduras - Dec 17, 1945 (original UN member)
Hungary - Dec 14, 1955
Iceland - Nov 19, 1946
India - Oct 30, 1945 (original UN member)
Indonesia - Sept 28, 1950
Iran - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Iraq - Dec 21, 1945 (original UN member)
Ireland - Dec 14, 1955
Israel - May 11, 1949
Italy - Dec 14, 1955
Jamaica - Sept 18, 1962
Japan - Dec 18, 1956
Jordan - Dec 14, 1955
Kazakhstan - March 2, 1992
Kenya - Dec 16, 1963
Kiribati - Sept 14, 1999
Korea, North - Dec 17, 1991
Korea, South - Dec 17, 1991
Kuwait - May 14, 1964
Kyrgyzstan - March 2, 1992
Laos - Dec 14, 1955
Latvia - Sept 17, 1991
Lebanon - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Lesotho - Oct 17, 1966
Liberia - Nov 2, 1945 (original UN member)
Libya - Dec 14, 1955
Liechtenstein - Sept 18, 1990
Lithuania - Sept 17, 1991
Luxembourg - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Macedonia - April 8, 1993
Madagascar - Sept 20, 1960
Malawi - Dec 1, 1964
Malaysia - Sept 17, 1957
Maldives - Sept 21, 1965
Mali - Sept 28, 1960
Malta - Dec 1, 1964
Marshall Islands - Sept 17, 1991
Mauritania - Oct 27, 1961
Mauritius - April 24, 1968
Mexico - Nov 7, 1945 (original UN member)
Micronesia, Federated States of - Sept 17, 1991
Moldova - March 2, 1992
Monaco - May 28, 1993
Mongolia - Oct 27, 1961
Montenegro - June 28, 2006
Morocco - Nov 12, 1956
Mozambique - Sept 16, 1975
Myanmar (Burma) - April 19, 1948
Namibia - April 23, 1990
Nauru - Sept 14, 1999
Nepal - Dec 14, 1955
Netherlands - Dec 10, 1945 (original UN member)
New Zealand - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Nicaragua - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Niger - Sept 20, 1960
Nigeria - Oct 7, 1960
Norway - Nov 27, 1945 (original UN member)
Oman - Oct 7, 1971
Pakistan - Sept 30, 1947
Palau - Dec 15, 1994
Panama - Nov 13, 1945 (original UN member)
Papua New Guinea - Oct 10, 1945
Paraguay - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member country)
Peru - Oct 31, 1945 (original UN member)
Philippines - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Poland - Oct 24, 1945
Portugal - Dec 14, 1955
Qatar - Sept 21, 1977
Romania - Dec 14, 1955
Russia - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Rwanda - Sept 18, 1962
Saint Kitts and Nevis - Sept 23, 1983
Saint Lucia - Sept 18, 1979
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Sept. 16, 1980
Samoa - Dec 15, 1976
San Marino - March 2, 1992
Sao Tome and Principe - Sept 16, 1975
Saudi Arabia - Oct 24, 1945
Senegal - Sept 28, 1945
Serbia - Nov 1, 2000
Seychelles - Sept 21, 1976
Sierra Leone - Sept 27, 1961
Singapore - Sept 21, 1965
Slovakia - Jan 19, 1993
Slovenia - May 22, 1992
Solomon Islands - Sept 19, 1978
Somalia - Sept 20, 1960
South Africa - Nov 7, 1945 (original UN member)
South Sudan - July 14, 2011
Spain - Dec 14, 1955
Sri Lanka - Dec 14, 1955
Sudan - Nov 12, 1956
Suriname - Dec 4, 1975
Swaziland - Sept 24, 1968
Sweden - Nov 19, 1946
Switzerland - Sept 10, 2002
Syria - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Tajikistan - March 2, 1992
Tanzania - Dec 14, 1961
Thailand - Dec 16, 1946
Togo - Sept 20, 1960
Tonga - Sept 14, 1999
Trinidad and Tobago - Sept 18, 1962
Tunisia - Nov 12, 1956
Turkey - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
Turkmenistan - March 2, 1992
Tuvalu - Sept 5, 2000
Uganda - Oct 25, 1962
Ukraine - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
United Arab Emirates - Dec 9, 1971
United Kingdom - Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member)
United States of America - Oct 24, 1945
Uruguay - Dec 18, 1945
Uzbekistan - March 2, 1992
Vanuatu - Sept 15, 1981
Venezuela - Nov 15, 1945 (original UN member)
Vietnam - Sept 20, 1977
Yemen - Sept 30, 1947
Zambia - Dec 1, 1964
Zimbabwe - Aug 25, 1980
