STRATEGIC AREAS

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the concept and development of strategic areas. Strategic areas, as regulated in Arts. 82 and 83 of the UN Charter, are territories under the UN Trusteeship System, for which the functions of the United Nations are exercised by the United Nations Security Council. According to Article 83, the Trusteeship Council assists in performing those functions relating to political, economic, social, and educational matters and thus, matters concerning security are excluded. As Arts. 88 and 87 of the Charter apply only to trust territories under the competence of the UN General Assembly, the administering authority of a strategic area is neither obliged to submit annual reports nor are the provisions on petitions or visiting missions applicable. The supervisory functions of the Security Council are, thus, more limited under the Charter than the corresponding functions of the General Assembly, and consequently the assistance functions of the Trusteeship Council are also limited.