The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law is one of the principal legal bodies of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law, with universal membership, specialized in trade law, focused on the modernization and harmonization of the rules governing international trade. The UNCITRAL secretariat has established a system of jurisdiction for UNCITRAL texts (CLOUT on UNCITRAL texts) to collect and disseminate information on court decisions and arbitral awards relating to conventions and model laws resulting from the work of the Commission. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes a comprehensive system for policing the world`s oceans and seas and governs the full use of the oceans and their resources. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations serves as the secretariat for the Convention. One of the greatest achievements of the United Nations is the development of international law, which is essential to the promotion of economic and social development and the promotion of international peace and security. International law is enshrined in conventions, treaties and norms. Many of the treaties concluded by the United Nations form the basis of the law governing relations between nations. Although the work of the United Nations in this area does not always receive attention, it has a daily impact on the lives of people everywhere. The responsibility for the performance of the functions of the Organization set forth in this chapter rests with the General Assembly and, under the authority of the General Assembly, with the powers set forth in chapter X for that purpose. The rule of law is the foundation on which the United Nations is built. On the international scene, it is fundamental to peace and stability.
All States members of the General Assembly are bound by the Charter of the United Nations and international law more broadly. All Member States are supposed to be subject to this legislation, to apply it in their international relations and to be equal to it. The application of this fundamental principle is at the heart of our work to promote the rule of law at the international level. This work is carried out in a variety of ways — through courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties — and by the Security Council, which may authorize peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems it necessary. These powers are conferred on it by the Charter of the United Nations, which is considered an international treaty. As such, it is an instrument of international law and States Members of the United Nations are bound by it. Finally, the Political Affairs Committee has strengthened the role of the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group, which I chair, as the Organization`s strategic organ on all rule of law issues, ensuring that the United Nations is able to anticipate and seize new opportunities and to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. In 1945, the United Nations was founded on three pillars: international peace and security, human rights and development. Nearly seventy-five years later, the complex political, social and economic transformation of modern society has brought us challenges and opportunities that require a collective response, which must be guided by the rule of law, as it is the basis of friendly and just relations between States and the basis of exhibition societies. The present Charter, including the Chinese, English, French, Russian, Russian and Spanish texts, shall also be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America.
This Government shall transmit certified copies to the Governments of the other signatory States. The trusteeship system does not apply to Territories that have become Members of the United Nations and whose relations are based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality. A Member of the United Nations which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall not have the right to vote in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of its contributions owing for the preceding two full years. However, the General Assembly may authorize such a member to vote if it is satisfied that the non-payment is due to circumstances beyond its control. Since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, the mission and work of the Organization have been guided by the purposes and principles of its founding Charter, which was amended three times in 1963, 1965 and 1973. The Trusteeship Council shall, as appropriate, seek assistance from the Economic and Social Council and the specialized agencies in matters affecting them. A Member of the United Nations against which preventive or enforcement measures have been taken by the Security Council may, on the recommendation of the Security Council, be suspended by the General Assembly from the exercise of the rights and privileges inherent in membership.