Membership of the United Nations

The Membership of the United Nations (UN) refers to the collective body of sovereign states that have been admitted to the organisation since its establishment in 1945. The UN is the world’s most comprehensive international organisation, dedicated to maintaining peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Its membership currently includes 193 countries, encompassing nearly every recognised sovereign state, reflecting its global scope and legitimacy.

Background and Formation of the United Nations

The United Nations was founded on 24 October 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War, as a successor to the League of Nations. The founding purpose was to prevent future conflicts, promote human rights, and facilitate international cooperation. Initially, 51 countries became founding members after signing the Charter of the United Nations at the San Francisco Conference earlier that year.
The Charter, which serves as the UN’s constitution, defines the conditions for membership, the rights and obligations of members, and the procedures for admission, suspension, and expulsion. Over the decades, membership expanded significantly, especially during the wave of decolonisation in the mid-twentieth century, as many newly independent nations joined the organisation.

Criteria and Process for Membership

Membership in the United Nations is governed by Article 4 of the UN Charter, which outlines the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a sovereign state.
• It must accept the obligations of the UN Charter.
• It must be able and willing to carry out these obligations.

The process for admission involves two key steps:

1. Recommendation by the Security Council: The Security Council must recommend the state for membership by a majority vote, with no veto from any of the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
2. Approval by the General Assembly: The General Assembly must then approve the admission by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

Once admitted, a member state enjoys all the rights and privileges accorded by the Charter, including participation in the General Assembly and eligibility for election to UN bodies and councils.

Rights and Obligations of Members

Member states of the UN possess both rights and obligations under the Charter.
Key rights include:

• Sovereign equality within the organisation, irrespective of size or power.
• The right to participate and vote in the General Assembly.
• Eligibility to hold seats on the Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and other principal organs.
• The right to raise issues of international concern and seek UN mediation or assistance.

Obligations include:

• Upholding the principles of the UN Charter.
• Refraining from the use of force except in self-defence or as authorised by the Security Council.
• Settling disputes peacefully.
• Cooperating with other members to maintain international peace, respect human rights, and promote sustainable development.

Categories of Participation

While full membership is limited to sovereign states, the UN recognises several other forms of participation:

• Observer States: Entities that are not full members but have limited participation rights. The Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine are current observer states. They can participate in debates but do not have voting rights.
• Specialised Agencies and Organisations: Bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) operate under agreements with the UN but are autonomous in their functioning.
• Non-Member Participants: Certain regional organisations and international bodies may attend sessions or collaborate with the UN in specific capacities.

Expansion of Membership

UN membership has grown from the original 51 founding members in 1945 to 193 member states today. This growth reflects major historical developments:

• 1940s–1950s: Admission of countries emerging from colonial rule and war.
• 1960s: Rapid expansion following African and Asian independence movements.
• 1990s: New members from the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia.
• 2011: The most recent member, South Sudan, was admitted after gaining independence.

Territories aspiring to statehood, such as Palestine and Kosovo, have sought membership but remain outside full recognition due to political and legal complexities.

Suspension and Expulsion

The UN Charter also provides mechanisms for suspension and expulsion of members under Articles 5 and 6:

• A member can be suspended from exercising rights and privileges if the Security Council takes preventive or enforcement action against it.
• A member can be expelled if it persistently violates the principles of the Charter, but only upon recommendation by the Security Council and approval by the General Assembly.

However, such actions are rare. No member has ever been formally expelled; instead, the UN tends to use diplomatic measures, sanctions, or peacekeeping interventions to address violations.

Special Cases and Disputes

Certain membership issues have been subjects of political contention:

• China’s Representation: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) replaced the Republic of China (Taiwan) as the recognised representative in 1971 following a General Assembly resolution. Taiwan remains outside the UN despite maintaining economic and diplomatic relations with many states.
• Germany: After World War II, East and West Germany joined separately in 1973 and became a single member following reunification in 1990.
• Palestine: Granted non-member observer state status in 2012, Palestine participates actively in UN deliberations but does not possess voting rights.

These cases demonstrate how UN membership is intertwined with international law, state recognition, and geopolitical considerations.

Significance of Membership

Membership in the United Nations carries substantial symbolic and practical importance. It signifies international recognition of sovereignty and provides access to a global platform for diplomacy and negotiation. Member states benefit from participation in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and developmental programmes, and gain influence in shaping global norms on issues such as climate change, human rights, and trade.
For smaller or newly independent nations, UN membership provides legitimacy and an opportunity to collaborate on equal footing with major powers. It also offers mechanisms for resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and mediation rather than armed conflict.

Contemporary Challenges

Despite its inclusiveness, the UN faces challenges related to membership and representation:

• Disputes over statehood: Entities like Taiwan and Kosovo remain excluded due to the lack of universal diplomatic recognition.
• Observer status limitations: Non-member states and organisations often find their influence restricted despite active participation.
• Inequalities among members: Power disparities, particularly within the Security Council, lead to debates over reform and equitable representation.