The
Charter of the United Nations
was signed on 26 June 1945 in
San Francisco, after the end of
Second World War. It replaced
the League of Nations, formed
after the First World War, which
had collapsed as a result of its
failure to prevent the Second
World War. Representatives of 50
countries drew up the Charter
which came into force on 24
October 1945. The Charter
contains four principal
purposes: -
-
Maintain international peace
and security
-
Develop friendly relations
among nations based on
respect for the principle of
equal rights and
self-determination
principles
-
Cooperate internationally in
solving international
economic, social, cultural
and humanitarian problems in
promoting respect for human
rights and fundamental
freedom and without
distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion
-
Be a centre for harmonising
the actions of nations in
attaining these common ends
Membership of the United Nations
is open to all peace-loving
countries which accept the
obligation of the Charter and,
which the judgement of the
Organisation, are able and
willing to carry out those
obligations. Currently, the
United Nations has 191 members.
Brunei Darussalam and the United
Nations
Brunei Darussalam joined the
United Nations at the 39th
Session of the United Nations
General Assembly on 21 September
1984 as a means to achieve
recognition of its sovereignty
and full independence from the
world community. In his address,
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
stated that Brunei Darussalam's
accession to the United Nations
would not only make its
existence known to the rest of
the world, it also enable Brunei
Darussalam to voice its
aspirations and views on issues
of international concern as well
as those affecting Brunei
Darussalam.
Brunei Darussalams membership
to the United Nations has also
provided the opportunity to
pursue and promote its foreign
policies in multilateral forum,
particularly in enhancing
relations and developing
friendship with member
countries. Of equal importance,
Brunei Darussalam firmly upholds
the values and principles of the
UN Charter. In this respect,
Brunei Darussalam reaffirms its
continued support to the vital
roles played by the United
Nations in the maintenance of
international peace and security
as well as its efforts in
promoting economic and social
development of Member States. As
one of the developing nations,
Brunei Darussalam has benefited
from some of the programmes and
activities provided by the
United Nations through its
related agencies, funds and
programmes.
Being part of the family of this
esteemed organisation, Brunei
Darussalam has fulfilled its
financial obligations to the
United Nations through its
mandatory contributions to the
annual regular budget and also
the peacekeeping operations.
Through other relevant
Government agencies, Brunei
Darussalam has also engaged and
participated actively in the
work of the UN funds, programmes
and specialized agencies among
others, United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP),
World Health Organization (WHO),
World Trade Organization (WTO),
World Bank, International
Monetary Fund (IMF). It also
contributed voluntarily to
support the work carried out by
those bodies.
One of the achievements by the
United Nations is the adoption
of an importance document
entitled 2005 World Outcome
Summit during the
High-Level Plenary Meeting held
in New York from 14th to 16th
September 2005. Brunei
Darussalam welcomed and
supported the adoption of this
outcome that aimed at furthering
the realization of the
Millennium Development Goals by
2015 and also other
internationally agreed goals.
Brunei Darussalam has submitted
its first national report on the
implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals.
Party
to UN Treaties/Conventions
Its participation at the United
Nations has further enhanced
Brunei Darussalams engagement
in various international bodies,
in which, it later joined as a
member. This is another
indication of Brunei
Darussalams support to the
world body. Also through the
United Nations, Brunei
Darussalam has become a party to
many UN Treaties/Conventions
among others related to
Children, Terrorism and
Environment. On Terrorism, an
issue of utmost urgency, Brunei
Darussalam has constantly
submitted its national reports
on the implementation of the
relevant Security Councils
resolutions 1267, 1373 and 1540. |