United Nations

UN representative: Earthquakes expose structural weaknesses of cities
Foreign policy
UN representative: Earthquakes expose structural weaknesses of cities
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 17:11
UCLG official: International frameworks related to rights of persons with disabilities must be implemented
Infrastructure
UCLG official: International frameworks related to rights of persons with disabilities must be implemented
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 17:08
Rossbach: Housing becoming key part of national development strategy
Infrastructure
Rossbach: Housing becoming key part of national development strategy
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 17:06
Rania Hedeya: Parliaments play special role in urban planning
Infrastructure
Rania Hedeya: Parliaments play special role in urban planning
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 17:04
UN-Habitat: High urbanization, dependence on tourism create new risks in urban development
Other countries
UN-Habitat: High urbanization, dependence on tourism create new risks in urban development
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:51
Rossbach: Capital not directed toward housing sector
Infrastructure
Rossbach: Capital not directed toward housing sector
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:46
UN-Habitat head: Urban planning should be main condition of financial projects
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat head: Urban planning should be main condition of financial projects
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:41
UN-Habitat: New urban recovery model could be applied in Africa
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: New urban recovery model could be applied in Africa
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:40
Maike Salize: Affordable housing crisis driving decline in quality of life
Foreign policy
Maike Salize: Affordable housing crisis driving decline in quality of life
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:35
UN-Habitat: Neighborhood profiles enable more precise interventions in urban planning
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Neighborhood profiles enable more precise interventions in urban planning
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:29
UN official: Private capital essential for sustainable housing in Thailand
Infrastructure
UN official: Private capital essential for sustainable housing in Thailand
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:21
Carrigan: In the Asia-Pacific region, about 700 million people live in slums
Infrastructure
Carrigan: In the Asia-Pacific region, about 700 million people live in slums
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:21
UN-Habitat: Housing provision must align with urban safety and climate resilience
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Housing provision must align with urban safety and climate resilience
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:10
UN-Habitat: Housing-based approach strengthens foundations of urban resilience
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Housing-based approach strengthens foundations of urban resilience
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:04
Rossbach: Baku excellent place for discussions on cultural heritage
Cultural policy
Rossbach: Baku excellent place for discussions on cultural heritage
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 16:02
Kazuko Ishigaki: Social risks on rise in Asia-Pacific
Infrastructure
Kazuko Ishigaki: Social risks on rise in Asia-Pacific
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 15:52
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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).