United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II to prevent future conflicts and foster cooperation among nations. With 193 member states, it serves as a forum for dialogue on peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and international law. The UN operates through six principal organs: the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat. Its work extends to humanitarian aid, climate action, and disarmament, supported by specialized agencies like the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The UN is headquartered in New York City, with major offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. [edit]

The UN's mission, as outlined in its Charter, is to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation in solving global problems, and promote respect for human rights. It aims to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to attain these common ends. [edit]

Representatives from 50 countries met in San Francisco from April to June 1945 to draft the UN Charter. The Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, and entered into force on October 24, 1945, after ratification by the five permanent Security Council members and a majority of signatories. The UN succeeded the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent World War II. The first session of the General Assembly convened in London in January 1946. Over the decades, the UN expanded its membership from 51 to 193, reflecting decolonization and the admission of new states. It played a key role in peacekeeping during the Cold War, humanitarian relief in conflicts, and setting global development goals. [edit]