The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a "global association of governments facilitating co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity." It was founded in 1945 at the signing of the United Nations Charter by 51 countries, replacing The League of Nations which was founded in 1919.

As of 2006 there exist 192 United Nations member states, including virtually all internationally recognised independent states. From its headquarters in New York City, the UN's member countries and specialized agencies give guidance and decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout each year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, including the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UN Economic and Social Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UN Secretariat, and the International Court of Justice, as well as counterpart bodies dealing with the governance of all other UN system agencies, such as the WHO and UNICEF. The UN's most visible public figure is the Secretary-General.

The UN was founded after the end of World War II by the victorious world powers with the hope that it would act to prevent conflicts between nations and make future wars impossible, by fostering an ideal of collective security. The organization's structure still reflects in some ways the circumstances of its founding. For example, the five permanent members of the Security Council, with veto power, are the five main victors of World War II or their successors: China (which replaced the Republic of China), France, Russia (which replaced the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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UN News Centre - UN Affairs, Secretary General

United by a common goal, fallen UN staff aimed to help Afghans
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Lawrence Mefful's family and colleagues say it was typical of the United Nations security officer and devout Christian to put the well-being of others before his own safety.
Migiro bound for Lebanon and Ethiopia to help improve coordination of UN system
Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro travels to Lebanon and Ethiopia next week to spearhead meetings designed at ensuring that the various United Nations departments, agencies and other components work more effectively together in the Middle East and Africa.
UN Secretariat seeks more than $5 billion to cover work for next two years
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today proposed a budget of just over $5 billion to cover the work of the United Nations Secretariat for the next two years, telling a General Assembly committee that only a slight increase over the budget is needed despite increased demands for the UN's services.
Photographic exhibition pays tribute to former UN chief U Thant
Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The greatest legacy of the former United Nations chief U Thant is his belief in the dignity of the individual, a senior official with the world body said tonight as he helped open a photographic exhibition dedicated to the Organization's third Secretary-General.
Peacekeepers help celebrate UN Day on the Organization's 64th birthday
Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Peacekeepers deployed in operations around the world today joined in celebrations marking United Nations Day on the world body's 64th birthday.
With concerts, films and ceremonies, UN marks its 64th birthday
Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations marked its 64th birthday today with ceremonies around the world, a concert at its New York Headquarters paying tribute to its blue helmet peacekeepers, and a call from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to stand up for the vulnerable, powerless and defenceless.

UN News Centre - Top Stories

Ban welcomes power-sharing deal in Madagascar
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the power-sharing agreement reached by Madagascar''s current and former leaders and urged them to implement the deal to resolve months of political wrangling in the Indian Ocean country.
Prosecutor to ask International Criminal Court to probe Kenyan violence
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that he will ask the tribunal to open an investigation into the deadly post-election violence in Kenya in December 2007 and January 2008.
Ban rejects reports of UN withdrawal from Afghanistan
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today rejected any notion that the United Nations is leaving Afghanistan, amid reports that the world body is pulling out of the country following the announcement that it will temporarily relocate some of its staff owing to security concerns.
UN official still hopeful for strong climate deal as latest talks end
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
As the last negotiating session before next month’s United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen concluded today, a senior official with the world body called on countries to push ahead to deliver on a strong international agreement to tackle global warming.
Displaced Sri Lankans increasingly returning home from camps - UN
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
About 90,000 Sri Lankans displaced by the conflict between Government forces and Tamil separatists have returned to their homes in the past three months, and the pace of returns has begun to accelerate, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
Tribal clashes uproot over 16,000 civilians in northern DR Congo, reports UN
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Clashes between two tribes in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have caused more than 16,000 civilians to flee their homes since last week, crossing into neighbouring Republic of Congo to find safety, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

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