UNITED NATIONS CHARTER

Abstract

This chapter discusses the historical development and the structure of the UN Charter. The Charter of the United Nations, an international treaty, was adopted by the United Nations Conference in San Francisco on June 25, 1945. It was signed by representatives of 50 States the day. Under the terms of the Charter, entry into force required ratification by the five permanent members of the Security Council—China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States—and by a majority of the other signatory States. The Charter is composed of a preamble, 111 articles, and the annexed Statute of the International Court of Justice. The articles are grouped into 19 chapters. The first chapter, in addition to the preamble, expresses the broad purposes and the principles of the Organization. The second paragraph calls for the development of friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples. This paragraph is implemented in Article 55. Members' obligations in this regard are set forth in Articles 56 and 73.