The United Nations



-------UNITED NATIONS TRUSTEE COUNCIL ------------------------


   The Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994, with the
   independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory, on
   1 October 1994. By a resolution adopted on 25 May 1994, the Council amended
   its rules of procedure to drop the obligation to meet annually and agreed to
   meet as occasion required -- by its decision or the decision of its
   President, or at the request of a majority of its members or the General
   Assembly or the Security Council.
   
   Background
   
   In setting up an International Trusteeship System, the Charter
   establishedthe Trusteeship Council as one of the main organs of the United
   Nations andassigned to it the task of supervising the administration of
   TrustTerritories placed under the Trusteeship System. Major goals of the
   System were to promote the advancement of the inhabitants of Trust
   Territories andtheir progressive development towards self-government or
   independence. TheTrusteeship Council is made up of the five permanent
   members of the SecurityCouncil --China, France, Russian Federation, United
   Kingdom and UnitedStates.
   
   The aims of the Trusteeship System have been fulfilled to such an extent
   that all Trust Territories have attained self-government or independence,
   either as separate States or by joining neighbouring independent countries.
   
   Functions and powers
   
   Under the Charter, the Trusteeship Council is authorized to examine and
   discuss reports from the Administering Authority on the political,
   economic,social and educational advancement of the peoples of Trust
   Territories and,in consultation with the Administering Authority, to examine
   petitions fromand undertake periodic and other special missions to Trust
   Territories.