The United Nations (UN) is a global organization founded after World War II to maintain international peace, security, and foster cooperation, aiming to solve global problems, prevent future wars, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development, and uphold international law.
Through its various bodies, including the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the UN Secretariat, and specialized agencies, the UN serves as a central forum for nations to discuss shared challenges and find common solutions, guided by its Charter.
At its founding on 24 October 1945, there were 51 Member States. Today, there are 193 Member States, representing nearly all of the world’s sovereign states.
The UN includes a multitude of specialized agencies, funds, and programs, including the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, UNESCO, and UNHCR. the UN Refugee Agency, to name a few.
The chief administrator of the UN is the Secretary-General, currently, António Guterres. Former Secretaries-General included Ban Ki-Moon, Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Javier Pèrez de Cuèllar, U Thant, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Trygve Lie.
The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its Member States.
The United Nations is headquartered on international territory in New York City, USA, and has additional offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague, where the International Court of Justice is located.
Since the UN’s inception, the organization, its agencies, programs, funds, and staff have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on twelve occasions.
United Nations
