United Nations

Giorgia Ziliani: Inclusiveness in urban planning doesn't happen automatically
Foreign policy
Giorgia Ziliani: Inclusiveness in urban planning doesn't happen automatically
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:38
Mohamed Juma: GCC countries among most urbanized regions in world
Foreign policy
Mohamed Juma: GCC countries among most urbanized regions in world
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:29
Sweden developing HerCity Sweden platform for inclusive urban development
Foreign policy
Sweden developing HerCity Sweden platform for inclusive urban development
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:28
Norliza Hashim: Malaysia developed national roadmap for SDG11
Foreign policy
Norliza Hashim: Malaysia developed national roadmap for SDG11
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:16
Kazuko Ishigaki: AP-UAP platform helping cities move from discussion to action
Infrastructure
Kazuko Ishigaki: AP-UAP platform helping cities move from discussion to action
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:06
UN official: 2.8B people worldwide live in places without adequate housing conditions
Foreign policy
UN official: 2.8B people worldwide live in places without adequate housing conditions
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 10:01
Javier Torner: UNECE has prepared master plans for cities of Ukraine
Other countries
Javier Torner: UNECE has prepared master plans for cities of Ukraine
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 09:25
Javier Torner: UNECE is working on creating integrated database for housing planning
Foreign policy
Javier Torner: UNECE is working on creating integrated database for housing planning
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 09:14
ESCAP expert: Cities face interconnected risks and require integrated management
Infrastructure
ESCAP expert: Cities face interconnected risks and require integrated management
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 09:13
Sanjeevani Singh: In ESCAP countries, approximately 700 million people live in informal settlements
Foreign policy
Sanjeevani Singh: In ESCAP countries, approximately 700 million people live in informal settlements
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 09:10
Event on Early Warning and Climate-Resilient Cities held as part of WUF13
Foreign policy
Event on "Early Warning and Climate-Resilient Cities" held as part of WUF13
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 08:57
Azerbaijani, Turkish MPs discuss urban planning cooperation
Photo
Milli Majlis
Azerbaijani, Turkish MPs discuss urban planning cooperation
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 01:38
Global media widely covers WUF13 in Baku
Photo
Media
Global media widely covers WUF13 in Baku
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 01:34
Azerbaijan, Sudan discuss expanding bilateral cooperation
Photo
Foreign policy
Azerbaijan, Sudan discuss expanding bilateral cooperation
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 01:25
WUF13 hosts panel on UNESCO creative cities, sustainable urban planning
Photo
Infrastructure
WUF13 hosts panel on UNESCO creative cities, sustainable urban planning
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 01:21
WUF13 hosts dialogue on climate-resilient cities in Caspian region
Foreign policy
WUF13 hosts dialogue on climate-resilient cities in Caspian region
  • 20 May, 2026
  • 00:20
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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).