United Nations

Crisis in Middle East, IDPs issues discussed at WUF13 in Baku
Foreign policy
Crisis in Middle East, IDPs issues discussed at WUF13 in Baku
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 13:04
Henk Ovink: Water resources overused and not managed properly
Infrastructure
Henk Ovink: Water resources overused and not managed properly
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 12:57
UN-Habitat official: Many universities worldwide not integrated with cities
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat official: Many universities worldwide not integrated with cities
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 12:52
WUF13 hosts event on Youth and Civil Society Leadership
Domestic policy
WUF13 hosts event on Youth and Civil Society Leadership
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 12:37
Documentary about Azerbaijan's Shaki screened in Baku as part of WUF13
Photo
Cultural policy
Documentary about Azerbaijan's Shaki screened in Baku as part of WUF13
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 12:03
UN insists on human rights-based approach to Gaza, Syria recovery
Infrastructure
UN insists on human rights-based approach to Gaza, Syria recovery
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:29
UN: Territorial restoration should become platform for systemic change
Infrastructure
UN: Territorial restoration should become platform for systemic change
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:22
Garajayeva: Azerbaijan guided by SDGs in restoration of Karabakh, Eastern Zangazur
Karabakh
Garajayeva: Azerbaijan guided by SDGs in restoration of Karabakh, Eastern Zangazur
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:20
UN Special Rapporteur calls for inclusion of IDPs in urban reconstruction
Infrastructure
UN Special Rapporteur calls for inclusion of IDPs in urban reconstruction
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:10
UN-Habitat: Urban governance systems failing to meet modern challenges
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Urban governance systems failing to meet modern challenges
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:07
Al-Attas: Public training, early warning systems key to disaster protection
Infrastructure
Al-Attas: Public training, early warning systems key to disaster protection
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:03
UN-Habitat: Housing investments can drive economic recovery
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Housing investments can drive economic recovery
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 11:02
UN-Habitat: Global South salaries too low for housing
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Global South salaries too low for housing
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 10:58
Rok Khaokas: Paris doesn't hide colonial nature of its policy towards New Caledonia
Foreign policy
Rok Khaokas: Paris doesn't hide colonial nature of its policy towards New Caledonia
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 10:57
Rossbach: Domestic financing is key in solving housing problems
Infrastructure
Rossbach: Domestic financing is key in solving housing problems
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 10:56
Rossbach urges reform of recovery project financing at WUF13
Foreign policy
Rossbach urges reform of recovery project financing at WUF13
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 10:43
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United Nations: Structure, Core Purposes, Principal Organs, and Operations

United Nations (commonly known as the UN) is a global international organization founded on October 24, 1945, following the devastation of World War II, with the primary mandate to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote international cooperation. Succeeding the ineffective League of Nations, the UN currently unites nearly all recognized sovereign states worldwide—totaling 193 member states.

1. Fundamental Purposes and Principles

Peace and Security: Preventing armed conflict, mediating international disputes through diplomatic channels, and deploying peacekeeping missions to stabilize post-conflict zones.

Human Rights and Sustainable Development: Safeguarding fundamental human freedoms, combating discrimination, eradicating extreme poverty, providing humanitarian relief, and executing the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. Principal Organs of the UN

General Assembly: The main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN, comprising all member states (each holding a single vote) to debate global issues and adopt non-binding resolutions.

Security Council: The powerful executive organ bearing primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It consists of 15 members, including five permanent veto-wielding powers—often known as the P5 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States)—and ten rotating non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

Secretariat: The administrative engine of the organization, headed by the Secretary-General, carrying out day-to-day operations, field missions, and research.

International Court of Justice (ICJ): The principal judicial organ of the UN, located in The Hague, Netherlands, which adjudicates legal disputes submitted by states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): The central platform coordinating economic, social, and environmental work across the vast network of UN specialized agencies.

3. Specialized Agencies, Programs, and Funds

Global Network: The UN system encompasses numerous autonomous specialized bodies and operational programs addressing specific global challenges, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, UNICEF, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).