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

UNDP chief pays tribute to outgoing head of campaign on anti-poverty goals
Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today hailed the efforts of the outgoing head of the world body's campaign to promote the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as he announces he is leaving his position to assume the top post at the non-governmental organization (NGO) Amnesty International.
Former Costa Rican vice-president chosen to fill senior UN post
Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of former Costa Rican Vice-President Rebeca Grynspan to be second-in-command at the United Nations agency tasked with providing countries with the knowledge, experience and resources that aid economic growth.
Ban looks to UN budget committee to support plan to boost security
Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations faces unprecedented security challenges in many regions of the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the General Assembly's budget committee today, as he sought support for almost $300 million in new funding to make the Organization and its staff safer.
Ban spotlights role of volunteers in protecting the planet on International Day
Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Marking International Volunteer Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to the key role that volunteers around the world play in protecting the planet, as world leaders prepare to gather at the climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, set to kick off next week.
Empowering people with disabilities vital for development targets - Ban
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Efforts to achieve global development targets must include improving living standards and quality of life for everyone, including the world's 800 million people with disabilities, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Ban names Ibrahim Gambari as new head of joint UN-AU force in Darfur
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon seeks to appoint veteran Nigerian diplomat Ibrahim Gambari, who has most recently served as his top envoy to Myanmar, as the new head of the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur, it was announced today.

UN News Centre - Top Stories

Assembly President hopes next year’s Mexico meeting will forge climate pact
Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
While most countries are not happy with the outcome of this month’s summit on climate change in Copenhagen, "really good progress" was made towards a binding agreement "to save the world," with the United Nations leading the way to possible adoption at next year’s meeting in Mexico, General Assembly President Ali Treki said today.
Forcible return of Uighurs from Cambodia sparks UN experts’ concern
Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Two United Nations human rights experts have expressed their concern over the forcible return from Cambodia to China of 20 ethnic Uighur asylum-seekers who had fled violence in their home country.
Haiti: UN-backed road construction aids impoverished residents
Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
A cracked, flood-prone and sewage-infested stretch of road in a quarter of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, has been transformed into a resurfaced, smooth and clean highway for cars and pedestrians, improving both the health and image of the area, thanks to a United Nations-backed works programme.
Poor weather drives tea prices to record high in 2009 - UN
Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Tea prices reached a record high in 2009, but should ease next year as weather improves in the main tea-producing regions in Asia and Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today.
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