United Nations

Key concepts

How United Nations connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

1. United Nations Security Council

   has organ

   The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the UN, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has fifteen members, five of which are permanent with veto power.

2. General assembly

   has organ

   The United Nations General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN, meeting annually in New York. All 193 member states have equal representation in the Assembly.

3. Secretary (title)

   has head

   The Secretary‑General is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations, appointed for a five‑year term. António Guterres has held the position since 2017.

4. Charter of the United Nations

   governed by

   The UN Charter is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, signed on 26 June 1945. It outlines the purposes, principles, and structure of the organization.

5. United Nations peacekeeping

   conducts

   UN peacekeeping missions deploy military and civilian personnel to help countries transition from conflict to peace. The first mission, UNTSO, began in 1948 in the Middle East.

6. UNESCO

   has agency

   The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization promotes international collaboration in education, science, and culture. It was founded in 1945 and runs programs such as World Heritage sites.

7. World Health Organization

   has agency

   The World Health Organization is the UN specialized agency responsible for international public health. It led the global response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, coordinating vaccine distribution.

8. International Court of Justice

   has court

   The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, seated in The Hague. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions.

Questions about United Nations