Polish aid

Thus, one of the UN’s basic goals became helping the poorest countries, where poverty and development disparities lead to internal and international conflicts. The organisation brings together all countries in the world and is a forum for solving global social, economic and development problems.

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main goal of the 2030 Agenda is to eradicate poverty across the world thanks to the joint efforts by all countries in three areas of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. The 2030 Agenda has a universal character, and the responsibility for its implementation lies with the whole international community: the developed countries, the developing countries and international organisations which bring them together. 

UN principal organs and the UN system

The principal organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the UN Secretariat, the Trusteeship Council and the International Court of Justice. Together with specialised agencies, funds and programmes they create the United Nations system.

• Specialised agencies

Specialised agencies play a very important role. They are autonomous entities, but they regulate their relations and coordinate their work with the UN through special agreements. Currently, there are 19 specialised agencies. Five of them make up the so-called World Bank Group (IBRD, ICSID, IDA, IFC, MIGA). Other agencies are: the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

• UN programmes and funds

Another important element of the United Nations system are special programmes and funds set up by the General Assembly in order to take up actions in the area of development, bring humanitarian aid and promote human rights.

Among such programmes and funds are: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Due to the scope of its tasks, such as fostering the social and economic development of the UN member states, alleviating poverty, protecting the environment, or promoting women’s rights, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a natural partner for the Department of Development Cooperation of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with whom the MFA department cooperates regularly. The UNDP helps developing countries carry out reforms and build their potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is world’s largest humanitarian organisation, which fights famine and malnutrition. Through its work, it plays a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The WFP helps the victims of natural disasters and humanitarian crises and supports the poorest countries by providing food aid and carrying out projects aimed at increasing food production. Poland is a member of the WFP Executive Board, which consists of five members, and is actively involved in the work of the organisation, including defining strategic lines of action.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an initiative which answers the challenges of today. Set up in 1972, the UNEP works to protect the natural environment. Currently, the UNEP’s efforts focus on climate change, resilience to natural disasters and armed conflicts, environmental governance, chemicals, waste, air quality, natural resources and environmental review. In 2017-2019, Poland’s permanent representative performed the function of Bureau’s rapporteur, and will assume the post of its vice chair in 2020. Every two years in Nairobi, the UNEP’s seat, meets the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), also called the world’s parliament on the environment.

Another essential initiative is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which deals with spatial planning and architecture. UN-Habitat inspires, promotes and enables actions aiming to eradicate informal settlements (slums) and provides city dwellers with access to drinking water, sanitary security (sewage system) as well as urban basic services. UN-Habitat is one of the smallest agencies within the UN system. However, its role is consistently growing, which reflects global demographic trends. A Poland’s representative in this term holds the position of the Vice-President of the UN-Habitat Assembly and Bureau. Poland is also a member of the Executive Board. Every ten years, the UN-Habitat organises a conference, which is a key programme event. Every two years, the World Urban Forum (WUF) is held. In 2022, Katowice will host the forum. It will be the first time the Urban Forum will take place in Central and Eastern Europe.

Poland’s activity at UN organs

Poland signed the Charter of the United Nations on 15 October 1945, and after ratifying the Charter it became a full member of the UN. Over the years, Poland assumed several important functions. 

As a member of the UN, Poland takes part in the work of the General Assembly (during the annual general debate at the level of heads of state and government and in the discussions that follow of the six main committees of the General Assembly). The General Assembly is authorised to adopt resolutions concerning all matters which it considers relevant (apart from disputes and conflicts). Documents adopted by the General Assembly are not binding. However, the GA resolutions are of great moral importance and often they contribute to individual countries taking appropriate actions, and to enhancing international cooperation.

The Human Rights Council (HRC) is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and was established in 2006. It replaced the UN Commission on Human Rights, which was set up in 1946. Its headquarters is in Geneva.

The Council’s primary objective is to promote the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is a forum for dialogue and cooperation. The HRC focuses on assisting its member states in meeting their obligation to protect human rights and it does so through dialogue, building institutional structures and technical assistance. It performs its tasks in cooperation with state governments, regional organisations, state institutions and non-governmental organisations which deal with human rights.

Poland was a member of the Human Rights Council in 2006-2007, 2010-2013 and was elected for the 2020-2022 term.

Poland was a member of the UN Security Council in 1946-1947, 1960, 1970-1971, 1982-1983, 1996-1997 and in 2018-2019 as its non-permanent member. The Charter of the United Nations confers on the Security Council the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.