United Nations (UN)

Source: IE

Context: Today, October 24, 2025, marks the celebration of United Nations Day and the 80th anniversary of the UN’s establishment.

• The day commemorates the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945, reaffirming global commitment to peace, human rights, and sustainable development

About United Nations (UN):

• What it is? The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established to promote peace, security, human rights, and development across the world. It currently comprises 193 member states, making it the most inclusive global body.

• The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established to promote peace, security, human rights, and development across the world. It currently comprises 193 member states, making it the most inclusive global body.

• History: The idea was first conceived during World War II, with the term “United Nations” coined by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942. The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, at the San Francisco Conference by 50 nations and came into force on October 24, 1945. The first Secretary-General was Trygve Lie of Norway.

• The idea was first conceived during World War II, with the term “United Nations” coined by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942.

• The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, at the San Francisco Conference by 50 nations and came into force on October 24, 1945.

• The first Secretary-General was Trygve Lie of Norway.

• Established in: 1945, following the devastation of World War II, replacing the failed League of Nations to prevent future conflicts and promote global cooperation.

• Aim: Maintain international peace and security through dialogue and collective action. Foster economic and social development via sustainable development goals (SDGs). Uphold human rights and international law. Deliver humanitarian assistance in crises.

• Maintain international peace and security through dialogue and collective action.

• Foster economic and social development via sustainable development goals (SDGs).

• Uphold human rights and international law.

• Deliver humanitarian assistance in crises.

• Functions: Peacekeeping and Security: Deploys peacekeeping missions in 11 regions (as of 2024). Development Agenda: Implements Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty and protect the planet by 2030. Humanitarian Relief: Through agencies like UNICEF, WFP, and UNHCR, provides aid to millions affected by conflict and climate disasters. Global Governance: Oversees international treaties, human rights conventions, and environmental protocols. Coordination Mechanism: Works through six main organs — General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, ICJ, Secretariat, and Trusteeship Council.

• Peacekeeping and Security: Deploys peacekeeping missions in 11 regions (as of 2024).

• Development Agenda: Implements Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty and protect the planet by 2030.

• Humanitarian Relief: Through agencies like UNICEF, WFP, and UNHCR, provides aid to millions affected by conflict and climate disasters.

• Global Governance: Oversees international treaties, human rights conventions, and environmental protocols.

• Coordination Mechanism: Works through six main organs — General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC, ICJ, Secretariat, and Trusteeship Council.

• Unique Facts: Funding: 72% of its revenue comes from member-state contributions, with the U.S., China, and Japan being top funders. India, on the other hand, contributed to 0.2088 per cent of the total UN fundings in 2024-25. Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Headquarters: Located in New York City, USA. Nobel Peace Laureate: The UN and its agencies have collectively received the Nobel Peace Prize 12 times. Recent Member: South Sudan (2011) became the UN’s 193rd member.

• Funding: 72% of its revenue comes from member-state contributions, with the U.S., China, and Japan being top funders. India, on the other hand, contributed to 0.2088 per cent of the total UN fundings in 2024-25.

• India, on the other hand, contributed to 0.2088 per cent of the total UN fundings in 2024-25.

• Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

• Headquarters: Located in New York City, USA.

• Nobel Peace Laureate: The UN and its agencies have collectively received the Nobel Peace Prize 12 times.

• Recent Member: South Sudan (2011) became the UN’s 193rd member.