Principal Organs, Subsidiary Organs, Treaty Bodies

Abstract

Article 7 UN Charter distinguishes two groups of UN organs: principal organs (Art. 7 (1)) and subsidiary organs (Art. 7(2)). As the UN Charter enumerates all principal organs, this means that new principal organs can only be established by an amendment to the Charter. The enumeration in Article 7 UN Charter places all principal organs, with their specific functions and powers, on the same level of importance; there is no ranking order of the organs. The Charter contains no provisions concerning the composition, competence and scope of duties of subsidiary organs. Beside the principal and the subsidiary organs there are also treaty bodies in the UN system, i.e. organs (committees, commissions) established by international conventions and responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the compliance with the respective conventions, which have been adopted by the member states, with the aim of fulfilling the goals and purposes of the United Nations. Keywords: principal organs; subsidiary organs; treaty bodies; UN Charter; UN system