Subject Guide
Library for International and Public Affairs, 36B
United Nations Overview and Links to Resources
A brief outline of the United Nations structure
Originally composed of 51 countries committed to preserving peace, the United Nations was founded by Charter on 24 October 1945. Today, membership includes nearly every nation in the world, 192 countries. The United Nations is not a world government and does not make laws. The stated purposes of the United Nations are: To maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international, economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations. The United Nations family of organizations provide technical assistance and help in mostly all economic and social areas.
Main Bodies of the United Nations
- General AssemblyThe chief policymaking organ; plays a significant role in codification of international law.
- Security CouncilResponsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- Economic and Social CouncilThe central forum for discussing international economic and social issues; formulates policy recommendations.
- Trusteeship CouncilHaving fulfilled its original purpose, has suspended operations.
- International Court of JusticePrincipal judicial organization of the United Nations.
- SecretariatCarries out diverse daily work of the United Nations. Headed by the Secretary General.
Antonio Guterres, Ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations
Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The current Secretary-General, and the ninth occupant of the post, is Mr. António Guterres of Portugal, who took office on 1 January 2017.