United Nations

Fiona McClaney: Housing crisis has ceased to be problem of different states
Infrastructure
Fiona McClaney: Housing crisis has ceased to be problem of different states
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 11:04
Kazuko Ishigaki at WUF13: UN needs to provide support to local authorities
Other countries
Kazuko Ishigaki at WUF13: UN needs to provide support to local authorities
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 11:02
UN-Habitat: Over 120 stakeholders share special feedback on progress
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Over 120 stakeholders share special feedback on progress
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 11:00
UN-Habitat: Countries need to adapt governance systems to new urbanization conditions
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: Countries need to adapt governance systems to new urbanization conditions
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:59
Nigeria's housing deficit reached 28M units, while mortgage rates are up to 32% per annum
Finance
Nigeria's housing deficit reached 28M units, while mortgage rates are up to 32% per annum
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:59
UN official: Infrastructure deficiency, housing shortage remain serious problems in African cities
Foreign policy
UN official: Infrastructure deficiency, housing shortage remain serious problems in African cities
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:50
UN-Habitat seeks new formats for private-sector cooperation in housing
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat seeks new formats for private-sector cooperation in housing
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:45
UN-Habitat: New strategic plan to focus on housing, land and basic services
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: New strategic plan to focus on housing, land and basic services
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:43
UN official: Documents on women's housing provision will be adopted at WUF13
Foreign policy
UN official: Documents on women's housing provision will be adopted at WUF13
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:40
UN-Habitat: 36% of UN members submitted Voluntary National Reviews
Infrastructure
UN-Habitat: 36% of UN members submitted Voluntary National Reviews
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:40
Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva tour the Urban Expo exhibition
Photo
Domestic policy
Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva tour the Urban Expo exhibition
  • 22 May, 2026
  • 10:10
Azerbaijan and UN mull cooperation prospects
Photo
Foreign policy
Azerbaijan and UN mull cooperation prospects
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 22:23
World media: Azerbaijan conveys voice of developing countries to world through WUF13
Photo
Media
World media: Azerbaijan conveys voice of developing countries to world through WUF13
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 22:04
Leyla Aliyeva meets with King Mswati III of Eswatini
Photo
Foreign policy
Leyla Aliyeva meets with King Mswati III of Eswatini
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 21:23
Amina Mohammed hails harmonious blend of historical heritage, modernity in Baku
Foreign policy
Amina Mohammed hails harmonious blend of historical heritage, modernity in Baku
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 21:19
President: Azerbaijan to continue cooperation with UN-Habitat
Foreign policy
President: Azerbaijan to continue cooperation with UN-Habitat
  • 21 May, 2026
  • 20:44
1 ... 31 32 33 34 35 ... 104

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).