The work of the United Nations and its system of specialized agencies, funds and programmes touches lives around the world. Whether it is developing economies, supporting refugees, countering terrorism, disarming nuclear weapons, fighting climate change, providing health care and clearing landmines, or strengthening the capacity of governments to deal with international challenges, the Organization makes an impact everywhere.
The United Nations is a global organization composed of 51 Member States that agree to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, foster social progress, raise living standards and promote human rights. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II. It emerged out of the League of Nations, which was established after World War I to increase international cooperation and lower the risk of large-scale international conflict.
Upon its inception, the United Nations was given the mandate to ensure international peace and security. This is its primary role as set out in the Charter of the United Nations.
In the event of a threat to peace or act of aggression, the Security Council is empowered to recommend methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. It may also impose sanctions on the perpetrators of such acts.
The General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the Secretariat are other major organs of the United Nations. The latter has approximately 43,000 staff members, all of whom are international civil servants who take an oath to uphold the exclusively international character of their responsibilities and duties.
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