in peace with one another as good neighbours, and
to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and
to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and
to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.
Appendix B
The specialized agencies
formulates policies and programs to improve working conditions and employment opportunities, and defines international labour standards as guidelines for Governments;
works to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity and food security, and to better the conditions of rural populations;
promotes education for all cultural development, protection of the world's natural and cultural heritage, press freedom and communication;
coordinates programs aimed at solving health problems and the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health: it works in areas such as immunization, health education and the provision of essential drugs;
group provides loans and technical assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and advance sustainable economic growth;
facilitates international monetary cooperation and financial stability, and provides a permanent forum for consultation, advice and assistance on financial issues;
sets international standards necessary for the safety, security, efficiency and regularity of air transport, and serves as the medium for cooperation in all areas of civil aviation;
establishes international regulations for the organization and improvement of postal services, provides technical assistance and promotes cooperation in postal matters;
fosters international cooperation for the improvement and use of telecommunications of all kinds, coordinates usage of radio and TV frequencies, promotes safety measures and conducts research;
promotes scientific research on the atmosphere and on climate change, and facilitates the global exchange of meteorological data and information;
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) works to improve international shipping procedures, encourages the highest standards in marine safety, and seeks to prevent marine pollution from ships;
promotes international protection of intellectual property and fosters cooperation on copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs and patents;
mobilizes financial resources for better food production and nutrition among the poor in developing countries;
promotes the industrial advancement of developing countries through technical assistance, advisory services and training;
, an autonomous intergovernmental organization under the aegis of the UN, works for the safe and peaceful uses of atomic energy;
, the major entity overseeing international trade, cooperate in assisting developing countries' exports through the Geneva-based International Trade Centre.
Appendix C
"I want an understanding that will help my mission and make it successful"
Kofi Annan
United Nations Secretary General
Kofi Atta Annan, current Secretary General of the United Nations, is a native of Ghana -- at the time of his birth, still a British colony called the Gold Coast. He was born April 8, 1938, in Kumasi, the descendant of a prominent family of paramount chieftains of the Fante people.. Annan began his education at a Ghanaian university, then completed a degree in economics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. He pursued graduate studies in Geneva at the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales. Again in the United States, Annan earned an M.S. in management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
By 1971, Annan had joined the United Nations.
His experience includes positions as Assistant Secretary General for Program Planning, Budget and Finance, head of human resources and security coordinator, director of the budget, chief of personnel for the High Commission for Refugees and administrative officer for the Economic Commission for Africa.
He was named Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations on March 1, 1993. In the peacekeeping post he did, however, take on a number of delicate and complex jobs. He was sent to Iraq to negotiate the release of hostages and the safe transport of a half-million Asian workers who had become stranded in that area. As representative of the UN Secretary General in Bosnia., he negotiated his way among the four powers who had intervened in Bosnia -- the United States, Britain, France and Russia.
On the evening of December 13, 1996, Annan was named Secretary General of the United Nations -- the first black African to hold the job.
In the future, Annan will grapple with the problem of gaining support for the United Nations from the organisation's sceptics, especially the U.S. Congress.
Appendix D
Membership and Presidency of Security Council in 1998
Month | Presidency | Membership Term Ends
January | France | Permanent Member
February | Gabon | 31 December 1999
March | Gambia | 31 December 1999
April | Japan | 31 December 1998
May | Kenya | 31 December 1998
June | Portugal | 31 December 1998
July | Russian Federation | Permanent Member
August | Slovenia | 31 December 1999
September | Sweden |