🌍 THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)
The United Nations (UN) is one of the most important international organisations in the world. Established in 1945 after the devastation of the Second World War, the UN was created to promote peace, foster international cooperation, and prevent future conflicts. Today, it stands as a symbol of global unity, bringing nations together to solve problems that transcend borders.
📜 Why Was the UN Formed?
The horrors of World War II convinced world leaders that a strong international body was needed to maintain peace. The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when 51 countries signed its founding charter in San Francisco.
It replaced the earlier League of Nations, which had failed to prevent global conflict.
Since then, UN Day has been celebrated every year on 24 October to mark its founding.
⏳ How Many Years Since the UN Was Founded?
The United Nations was founded on 24 October 1945.
As of 2026, it has completed 81 years since its establishment.
For over eight decades, the United Nations has played a central role in global diplomacy, peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development.
🏛 Administration of the United Nations
The administration of the United Nations is primarily handled by the Secretariat, one of its six principal organs.
👤 The Secretary-General
The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General, who acts as:
●Chief administrative officer
●Diplomat and mediator
●Spokesperson of the UN
●Coordinator of UN operations worldwide
The current Secretary-General is António Guterres, who assumed office in 2017.
The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council and usually serves a five-year term.
🏢 The Secretariat
The Secretariat carries out the day-to-day work of the UN. Its responsibilities include:
●Organising international conferences and meetings
●Conducting research and preparing reports
●Managing peacekeeping operations
●Implementing decisions taken by the General ●Assembly and Security Council
●Overseeing humanitarian and development programmes
The Secretariat employs thousands of international civil servants working across various UN offices worldwide, including the headquarters in New York City.
⚖ Administrative Structure
The UN administrative system includes:
●Under-Secretaries-General and Assistant Secretaries-General heading different departments
●Departments dedicated to political affairs, peace operations, economic development, legal matters, communications, and more
●Regional commissions and field missions operating in different parts of the world
The UN functions on principles of neutrality and international representation — its staff members serve the global community, not their individual countries.
🌍 A Global Administrative Network
With offices in cities like Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi, the UN administration operates across continents, coordinating programmes that impact millions of people.
For 81 years, the United Nations administration has worked as the engine behind global cooperation — quietly managing complex operations to promote peace, development, and human dignity worldwide.
🏢 Headquarters and Membership
The UN headquarters is located in New York City, with additional major offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi.
Today, the UN has 193 member countries — almost every recognised nation in the world. Each member state has a voice in discussions and decision-making.
🏛 Main Organs of the UN
The UN has six principal organs:
●General Assembly – All member countries participate and have equal voting power.
●Security Council – Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
●Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Focuses on economic, social, and environmental issues.
●International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Settles legal disputes between countries.
●Secretariat – Carries out the day-to-day work of the UN.
●Trusteeship Council – Originally established to oversee trust territories (now inactive).
The Secretary-General, the chief administrative officer of the UN, leads the Secretariat and plays a key diplomatic role in world affairs.
🌱 Key Areas of Work
Over the decades, the UN has expanded its work beyond peacekeeping. Its major areas include:
🕊 Peacekeeping missions in conflict zones
🌍 Human rights protection
🌡 Climate action
👶 Child welfare and education
🏥 Global health
🍞 Poverty reduction
Several specialised agencies work under the UN system, including:
●World Health Organization (WHO)
●United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
●United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
●International Monetary Fund (IMF)
●World Bank
🎯 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. These goals address issues such as clean water, gender equality, quality education, and climate action.
🇮🇳 India and the United Nations
India has been an active member of the UN since its founding in 1945. The country has contributed significantly to UN peacekeeping missions across the world and continues to advocate for global cooperation, sustainable development, and reform of the Security Council.
🌟 Why the UN Matters Today
In an interconnected world, challenges like climate change, pandemics, wars, and economic instability cannot be solved by one nation alone. The UN provides a platform where countries can discuss differences, negotiate solutions, and work together for the greater good.
Although it faces criticism and challenges, the United Nations remains humanity’s most ambitious effort to maintain international peace and build a better future for all.
✨ Did You Know?
●The UN flag features a world map surrounded by olive branches, symbolising peace.
●The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
●The UN has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times (including its peacekeeping forces).
The United Nations stands as a reminder that despite differences in language, culture, and politics, nations can unite under a shared vision — a peaceful and sustainable world.
