United Nations

The **United Nations (UN)** is a sovereign federation of formerly-independent nation-states that has general administrative control of the Sol system, starting from its main territories on Earth and Luna and extending to its colonies (such as Mars), dependent city stations (such as Medea Station), and the rest of the system at large.

It was founded in 1945 after World War II as an international organization facilitating cooperation in, among other areas, international law. Throughout the 21st century, Earth's national governments were on a continuous decrease in administrative power. After the damage done to the planet and population reached extreme levels at the end of World War III, the world's nations decided to finally put aside their individual interests and international differences and achieve global unification. The UN Secretary General subsequently became the diplomatically-elected executive leader of all humanity.

The UN is seated on Earth in New York City, but also has a presence on Luna, in the New Hague facilities. Its armed forces consist of the United Nations Navy and the United Nations Marine Corps.

## History

By the end of the 21st century, humanity had finally started reaching out into space. Permanent settlements were established on Mars and Luna, as well as the Belt. While Earth was originally still divided between the various national governments, the UN still wielded significant power, organising any extra-terrestrial settlement. As time passed, in the wake of the Third World War and with Earth's ecosystem rapidly deteriorating, the UN continued to gain import. To counteract the damage done, humanity unified in 2091, with all national governments ceding their sovereignties to the UN. However, in some regions, most notably Afghanistan, the UN is widely distrusted and rebellion and dissent are commonplace.

The newly-established world government managed to decrease climate change and pollution to acceptable levels and enforced ecological recovery programs that are still active in the 24th century. Ratifications such as that of a global currency and the unification of economies across the system only increased the UN's general importance.

## Organisation

### Leadership

The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG or SG) is the head of the executive branch of the United Nations (the Secretariat and Security Council) and is the head of state and government of the UN, and the commander-in-chief of the United Nations Navy. The second-highest official in government is the Deputy Secretary-General. Because of their supreme importance in the government of the leading superpower of the Sol system, the Secretary-General of the UN is often regarded as the single most powerful individual in inhabited space. The current Secretary-General of the UN is Quintin Septimus Valerian.

The Secretary-General is directly elected by the citizens of Earth and Luna. If the Secretary-General’s term in office is interrupted and the Deputy Secretary-General position is similarly vacant, their successor (not having a democratic mandate in their own right) can be removed by a vote of no-confidence in the General Assembly, which would trigger a snap election.

### Structure

#### Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the highest governmental organ of the UN, effectively wielding the executive power in the United Nations government when negotiating or implementing directives for Earth and its directly controlled colonies. It has the power to direct the Earth's entire nuclear missile arsenal, command the United Nations Navy's fleets, and direct the United Nations Marine Corps. It is directly led by the Secretary-General.

Unlike three centuries earlier, the Security Council has changed structure to be primarily run by the Secretary-General and his governmental subordinates: the Undersecretaries, UN Navy Admirals, UN Marine Corps Generals, and other advisors. Before the global unification, it was controlled largely by the permanent UN Security Council member states: China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States.

#### Secretariat

The United Nations Secretariat is one of the major organs of the United Nations, serving as the bulk of the executive arm. The Secretariat has an important role in setting the agenda for the deliberative and decision-making bodies of the UN (the General Assembly and Security Council), and the implementation of the decision of these bodies. The Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly, is the head of the secretariat.

#### General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN. Its powers, composition, functions, and procedures are set out in Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter. The UNGA is responsible for the UN budget, appointing the non-permanent members to the Security Council, appointing the Secretary-General of the United Nations, receiving reports from other parts of the UN system, and making recommendations through resolutions. It also establishes numerous subsidiary organs to advance or assist in its broad mandate.

#### Interplanetary Court of Justice

The Interplanetary Court of Justice (ICJ), sometimes known as the Supreme Court**,** settles disputes between all the various parts of the system in accordance with interplanetary law, and gives advisory opinions on interplanetary legal issues. The ICJ is the only recognised court that adjudicates general disputes across the Sol system, with its rulings and opinions serving as primary sources of interplanetary law.

### Military Strength

The UN military branch is divided into two main sections: the United Nations Navy and the United Nations Marine Corps. Combined, these two organisations form the most powerful military force in the system. Most of the UN's military forces are spread throughout the solar system, overseeing and protecting Earth's interests in the Belt and the outer planets and generally keeping the peace.