United Nations (UN): Definition, Purpose, Structure, and Membership
What is the United Nations?
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded to promote peace, security, human rights, and social and economic cooperation among nations. Headquartered in New York and governed by the UN Charter, it brings together almost every sovereign state to address global challenges through diplomacy, law, humanitarian action, and development programs.
Key takeaways
- Founded in 1945 to prevent another world war and promote international cooperation.
- Comprised of nearly all world states, with 193 member countries and a few observer entities.
- Operates through principal organs, specialized agencies, and an extensive system focused on peace, rights, development, and international law.
History and founding
After World War II, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco to draft the UN Charter. The Charter was signed in 1945 and entered into force later that year, establishing the United Nations as the successor to the League of Nations with a broader mandate to maintain international peace and security and promote human rights and development.
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Primary purposes
The UN’s main aims include:
* Preventing conflict and managing peacekeeping operations.
* Promoting and protecting human rights.
* Delivering humanitarian assistance in crises.
* Advancing sustainable development and addressing climate change.
* Supporting and clarifying international law.
Structure and main organs
The UN’s work is carried out by several principal organs and a wider UN System. The five principal bodies are:
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- General Assembly
- The main deliberative body where all member states have equal representation.
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Sets the UN budget, adopts non‑binding resolutions, and elects rotating members to other bodies.
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Security Council
- Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- Composed of five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non‑permanent members elected for two‑year terms.
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Authorizes peacekeeping missions and approves admission of new members.
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Secretariat
- The executive arm that implements policies and programs.
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Headed by the Secretary‑General, the Secretariat includes offices such as the Department of Peace Operations that administer peacekeeping missions.
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International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- Based in The Hague, the ICJ settles legal disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on legal questions.
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Composed of 15 judges; its judgments are final.
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Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Coordinates economic and social work across the UN System and with specialized agencies.
- Focuses on issues like development, labor, food security, and global finance.
A sixth body, the Trusteeship Council, is inactive (suspended in 1994) after completing its original mandate.
Membership and observers
The UN has 193 member states. A state applies for membership and must receive a Security Council recommendation followed by a General Assembly vote; a veto by a permanent Security Council member can block admission.
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Observer entities (with participation but no vote) include the Holy See and the State of Palestine. Some territories and entities (for example, Taiwan, Kosovo, Somaliland, Abkhazia, and Tibet) are not UN members due to limits on international recognition or political objections from member states.
Specialized agencies and the UN System
The UN System includes autonomous specialized agencies that coordinate with the UN on technical, health, economic, cultural, and development issues. Notable agencies include:
* World Health Organization (WHO)
* Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
* International Labour Organization (ILO)
* International Monetary Fund (IMF)
* World Bank
* United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
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Role of the Secretary‑General
The Secretary‑General is the UN’s senior official, serving as a diplomat, advocate, civil servant, and chief administrative officer. The Secretary‑General represents the organization, helps mediate conflicts, and provides leadership across the UN’s diverse activities.
Focus areas today
Major current priorities of the UN include:
* Conflict prevention and peacebuilding
* Protection and promotion of human rights
* Humanitarian relief and refugee assistance
* Sustainable development and climate action
* Strengthening international law and institutions
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Conclusion
The United Nations is the principal international forum for state cooperation on global problems. With near‑universal membership and a broad mandate spanning peace, rights, development, and law, the UN convenes states and agencies to coordinate responses to crises and advance collective action on shared challenges.