Full Form of AHC: United Nations Ad Hoc Committee
The full form of AHC is Ad Hoc Committee. The AHC is a committee formed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on an ad hoc basis to address specific issues. Further, the committee comprises member states of the UN. It got tasked with researching and drafting proposals for action on the issue at hand. In this article, we will discuss the full form of AHC and its role in the UN system.
Background of AHC
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization which got founded in 1945. It got formed to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. One of its primary goals is to facilitate international cooperation in solving global problems. The UN has various specialized bodies and committees to achieve this objective, and the UN Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) is one of them.
AHC stands for Ad Hoc Committee. The term "ad hoc" means "for this specific purpose,". Thus, the AHC got formed specifically to address a particular issue or problem. Further, the AHC is usually formed by the UNGA, but other UN bodies can also create ad hoc committees.
Role of AHC
The primary role of the AHC is to research and draft proposals for action on a specific issue or problem. This can include proposing changes to existing international law.
The UN AHC is often formed when there is no existing body within the UN system that has the mandate to address a particular issue. For example, in 2006, the UNGA formed the Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of Legal Protection. It got formed under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. Further, it got formed to address the issue of legal protection for UN personnel.
Further, another example of the AHC's role is the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean. It got established in 1970 to study the economic and scientific exploitation of the Indian Ocean. Thus, the committee got tasked with promoting cooperation among countries with coastal boundaries. It was to ensure the fair distribution of resources and to prevent the militarization of the region.
In both cases, the UN AHC got formed to research and draft proposals for action on issues that were not being adequately addressed by existing bodies within the UN system.
Composition of AHC
The AHC got composed of member states of the UN. The number of states that make up the committee can vary depending on the issue being addressed. For example, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean got composed of 18 member states. On the other hand, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of Legal Protection and the Associated Personnel got composed of 47 member states. It got formed under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations.
The member states of the AHC are usually elected by the UNGA based on their expertise and experience in the area being addressed. In addition, the AHC may also include representatives from relevant UN bodies, such as the International Court of Justice or the International Maritime Organization.
Working of AHC
The AHC's working methods vary depending on the issue at hand. Further, this can include consultations with experts, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Once the committee has gathered sufficient information, it will begin drafting proposals for action. Further, these proposals may take the form of recommendations to the existing bodies within the UN system, like the Security Council or the International Court of Justice. Further, in some cases, the UN AHC may propose the creation of new legal frameworks or international agreements to address the issue.
The AHC's proposals got presented to the UNGA for consideration and adoption. As a result, Once adopted, the proposals become part of the UN's agenda for action on the issue.
Various AHC
Over the years, the UN has formed several AHCs to address a wide range of issues. Some examples include:
Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean:
This committee got formed in 2006 to address the issue of legal protection for UN personnel. The committee got tasked with studying the scope of legal protection. It was under the Convention on the Safety of the United Nations and Associated Personnel. Further, it also looked after making recommendations to improve the protection of UN personnel in conflict zones.
Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of a Convention against Corruption: This committee got established in 2000 to draft a global convention against corruption. The convention got adopted by the UNGA in 2003 and entered into force in 2005. The convention aims to promote international cooperation in preventing and combating corruption.
Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean Tsunami: This committee got formed in 2005 to address the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred on December 26, 2004. The committee got tasked with coordinating international relief efforts. It also ensured that affected communities received the support they needed to recover from the disaster.
In conclusion, the UN AHC is an important mechanism within the UN system for addressing specific issues and problems. The AHC's proposals get presented to the UNGA for consideration and adoption. Thus, once adopted, it becomes a part of the UN's agenda for action on the issue. As the world continues to face new and emerging issues, the UN AHC will likely continue to play a vital role in the UN's efforts to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Committee for Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking?
UNODC serves as Secretariat for the Ad Hoc Committee through the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch, Division for Treaty Affairs. Further, the email through which we can contact them is CybercrimeAHC@un.org.
2. When was the first meeting of the Ad Hoc committee?
From July 29 to August 9, 2002, the UN Ad Hoc Committee held its first session. The UN Ad Hoc Committee agreed to solicit opinions and proposals on a convention from States and all pertinent international, regional, and national organizations in advance of its second session.
3. How does the UNODC Global eLearning Program spread awareness around the globe?
The UNODC Global eLearning Programme allows UNODC to conduct training in a safe and efficient manner and offers courses in every area of the organization's mandate. In addition, it has approximately 350 restricted modules in our restricted area. These modules are available only to representatives of Member States, United Nations agencies, international organizations, and other institutions