United Nations

Expert says health overlooked in urban planning
Infrastructure
Expert says health overlooked in urban planning
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 21:27
Katja Schaefer calls for clarity on supporting people-centered urban adaptation
Infrastructure
Katja Schaefer calls for clarity on supporting people-centered urban adaptation
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 21:14
Maimunah Mohd Sharif supports establishment of Baku climate and urbanization coalition
Foreign policy
Maimunah Mohd Sharif supports establishment of Baku climate and urbanization coalition
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 21:07
Anacláudia Rossbach: Nature-related risks should be considered in building construction
Infrastructure
Anacláudia Rossbach: Nature-related risks should be considered in building construction
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 20:10
WHO: Healthy housing is foundation of more resilient society
Infrastructure
WHO: Healthy housing is foundation of more resilient society
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 19:37
Deputy mayor says Bukhara plays key role in Central Asia's international cooperation
Infrastructure
Deputy mayor says Bukhara plays key role in Central Asia's international cooperation
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 19:06
Kenya says sustainable urbanization needs planning, financing
Infrastructure
Kenya says sustainable urbanization needs planning, financing
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:50
UN-Habitat says inefficient use of housing stock drives land consumption
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat says inefficient use of housing stock drives land consumption
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:48
UN official says cities must respond to people's needs
Infrastructure
UN official says cities must respond to people's needs
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:38
UN representative says Caspian Sea level drops by 6 cm annually
Infrastructure
UN representative says Caspian Sea level drops by 6 cm annually
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:35
Maimunah Mohd Sharif says city energy planning must align with energy system design
Infrastructure
Maimunah Mohd Sharif says city energy planning must align with energy system design
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:33
Participants of int'l conference on 'Colonial Injustices and the Housing Shortage' issue statement
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Participants of int'l conference on 'Colonial Injustices and the Housing Shortage' issue statement
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:11
UN-Habitat: Sustainable housing solutions can reduce environmental degradation
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Sustainable housing solutions can reduce environmental degradation
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:02
Rossbach calls for structured participatory governance in housing provision
Foreign policy
Rossbach calls for structured participatory governance in housing provision
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 18:00
Rafiyev says climate agenda must ensure continuity between COP and WUF events
Foreign policy
Rafiyev says climate agenda must ensure continuity between COP and WUF events
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 17:56
Fiona McCluney: Agglomerations becoming key to overcoming housing crisis
Foreign policy
Fiona McCluney: Agglomerations becoming key to overcoming housing crisis
  • 19 May, 2026
  • 17:47
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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).