The United Nations (UN) is an international organization, founded in 1945 after the Second World War. Initially, 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. Today, it has grown significantly, encompassing 193 Member States. Consequently, it stands as the world’s largest and most recognizable international organization.
Core Pillars and Functions
The UN operates on four main purposes:
First, it aims at maintaining international peace and security. The Security Council, for instance, serves as the primary body responsible for this, working to prevent conflicts, deploy peacekeeping missions, and enforce international law.
Second, the UN is dedicated to protecting human rights. It champions human rights globally through various conventions, declarations, and bodies like the Human Rights Council.
Third, a crucial function involves delivering humanitarian aid. Agencies such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) provide life-saving assistance to people affected by emergencies, conflicts, and natural disasters around the world.
Finally, the UN actively works to promote sustainable development. It strives to improve the lives of people worldwide by addressing pressing issues like poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination through widespread initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Structure and Reach
The UN system is remarkably vast. It comprises six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council (currently inactive), the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. Moreover, it includes numerous specialized agencies, funds, and programmes that operate in almost every corner of the globe, each addressing specific global challenges. Through its widespread presence, therefore, the UN impacts the lives of millions, consistently striving to create a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for all.
