Advancing justice and international law

Promotion of justice and international law

Context

The purposes and principles of the United Nations are enshrined in the first two Articles of its Charter, which include the maintenance of international peace and security and the peaceful settlement of disputes in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Those principles are the foundation upon which the international community cooperates.

Our goals

The United Nations promotes justice and international law through its actions and mandates, including those related to international trade, oceans and the law of the sea, treaties and international agreements, peace operations, international tribunals and other international accountability mechanisms and sanctions. In addition, the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, settles legal disputes submitted by States and provides advisory opinions on legal questions.