United Nations Charter (1945)


The foundational treaty that created the UN and governs its structure, powers, and purposes.

The United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, is the cornerstone of international law and global diplomacy. It defines the UN’s purposes, principles, and structure; guiding the world’s efforts toward peace, human rights, and cooperation among nations.

A full reading of the United Nations Charter can be read at:
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text

🕊️ I. Foundational Principles (Articles 1–2)

These articles define the purpose and principles of the UN — the moral and legal core of the organization.

Article 1 – Purposes of the UN:

  • Maintain international peace and security.
  • Develop friendly relations among nations based on self-determination.
  • Achieve international cooperation on economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian issues.
  • Promote human rights and serve as a center for harmonizing nations’ actions.

Article 2 – Principles:

  • Sovereign equality of all members.
  • Good faith fulfillment of obligations.
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes.
  • Prohibition of force or threat of force.
  • Non-intervention in domestic affairs of states.

🏛️ II. Membership (Articles 3–6)

Article 3 – Original members are the signatories of the Charter.

Article 4 – Membership open to peace-loving states that accept the Charter’s obligations.

Article 6 – A member may be expelled for persistent violation of Charter principles.

⚖️ III. Organs of the United Nations (Articles 7–8)

Article 7 – Establishes six principal organs:


  1. General Assembly
  2. Security Council
  3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  4. Trusteeship Council
  5. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  6. Secretariat

Article 8 – Men and women are equally eligible to participate in the UN system.

🗳️ IV. The General Assembly (Articles 9–22)

Article 9 – Composition: All member states have one vote.

Article 10–14 – Powers: Discuss any issue within the scope of the Charter, make recommendations, and approve budgets.

Article 17 – Approves the UN budget and apportions expenses among members.

🛡️ V. The Security Council (Articles 23–51)

Article 23 – Composition: 15 members (5 permanent — China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US — and 10 elected).

Article 24 – Primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

Article 25 – Members must carry out Security Council decisions.

Article 39 – Council determines threats to peace and decides on measures.


Article 41–42 – Measures:

41: Non-military (sanctions, severance of diplomatic relations).

42: Military action if necessary.

Article 51 – Inherent right of individual or collective self-defense until the Council acts.

🌍 VI. Pacific Settlement of Disputes (Articles 33–38)

Article 33 – Parties should first seek peaceful means (negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement).

Article 37–38 – Council may recommend procedures or terms of settlement.

⚙️ VII. Regional Arrangements (Articles 52–54)

Encourages regional organizations (like the OAS, AU, or NATO) to handle local disputes before involving the UN, but under Security Council oversight.

📈 VIII. Economic and Social Cooperation (Articles 55–60)

Article 55 – Promotes economic and social progress, human rights, and higher living standards.

Article 56 – Members pledge to take joint and separate action for these goals.

⚖️ IX. International Court of Justice (Articles 92–96)

Article 92 – ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN.

Article 94 – Members must comply with ICJ decisions in cases to which they are parties.

🏢 X. The Secretariat (Articles 97–101)

Article 97 – Establishes the Secretary-General as the chief administrative officer.

Article 100 – Staff must remain independent and not take instructions from any government.

🔧 XI–XII. Trusteeship System (Articles 73–91)

Administers non-self-governing and trust territories, guiding them toward self-government or independence. (Now inactive.)

🕰️ XIII. Amendments (Articles 108–109)

Article 108 – Amendments require approval by two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of member states, including all permanent Security Council members.

🔚 XIV. Final Provisions (Articles 110–111)

Article 110 – Charter enters into force upon ratification by major powers and majority of signatories.

Article 111 – Authentic in five languages (Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish).

United Nations Charter — Key Articles Summary

The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, is the foundational treaty establishing the framework of modern international relations. The following table summarizes its key articles and their core principles.

Article(s) Topic Key Idea / Summary
1–2 Purposes & Principles Defines the UN’s goals: peace, cooperation, human rights, and respect for sovereignty. Prohibits the use of force and interference in domestic affairs.
3–6 Membership Establishes who can join, conditions for membership, and expulsion for violating the Charter.
7–8 Principal Organs Creates six main UN organs: General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council, ICJ, and Secretariat.
9–22 General Assembly All members have one vote. Can discuss, recommend, and approve budgets but cannot enforce decisions.
23–51 Security Council Fifteen members (five permanent). Responsible for peace and security; can impose sanctions or authorize force. Recognizes right of self-defense (Article 51).
33–38 Peaceful Settlement of Disputes Encourages negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or judicial settlement before using force.
52–54 Regional Arrangements Regional organizations may handle local disputes, under Security Council oversight.
55–60 Economic & Social Cooperation Promotes economic growth, social progress, human rights, and international cooperation.
92–96 International Court of Justice Serves as the UN’s judicial branch; its decisions are binding on the parties involved.
97–101 Secretariat Headed by the Secretary-General, who acts independently as the chief administrative officer.
73–91 Trusteeship System Oversaw territories toward self-government or independence; now inactive.
108–109 Amendments Charter can be amended with two-thirds General Assembly approval and ratification by two-thirds of member states (including all P5).
110–111 Final Provisions Defines entry into force and establishes authenticity of official language versions.
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