Background
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: -
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Maintain international peace and security
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Develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination principles
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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
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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 193 members.
Brunei Darussalam in 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 Darussalam's 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 Darussalam's engagement in various international bodies, in which, it later joined as a member. This is another indication of Brunei Darussalam's 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 Council's resolutions 1267, 1373 and 1540.
