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The United Nations was established by the countries of the world in 1945 with the purpose of maintaining international peace and security and promoting friendly relations between states. It consists of many subsidiary bodies, which have responsibility for particular issues of international concern.

The General Assembly (GA) is the principal policy-making and representative body of the UN. It comprises all members of the UN and its declarations and resolutions are often indicative of state practice in a particular area.

In the UN system the Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Security Council resolutions with regard to enforcement, economic sanctions or collective military actions can be found by searching by year or document number.

ECOSOC was established under the UN Charter and has responsibility for promoting economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related matters.

As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights for all, OHCHR leads global human rights efforts speaks out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide.

The Human Rights Council is the key independent UN intergovernmental body responsible for human rights. It is made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights internationally.

WIPO protects intellectual property throughout the world through 23 international treaties.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is located at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

The Court was established by the Rome Statute. This treaty was negotiated within the UN but it created an independent judicial body distinct from the UN.

The ILA promotes the study, clarification and development of international law, both public and private, and the furtherance of international understanding and respect for international law.

ASIL aims to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice.