Definition
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945, in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation among nations. It replaced the earlier League of Nations, which had failed to prevent the war.
Nearly every recognised country in the world is a member. The organization works on conflict prevention, human rights, humanitarian aid, development, and global challenges that no single state can address alone.
Why it matters
How it works
The UN has several main organs. The General Assembly is the deliberative body where all members debate and vote. The Security Council carries primary responsibility for peace and security, and it can authorise sanctions or peacekeeping missions. The Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, runs day-to-day operations.
A wide network of specialised agencies and programs handles health, refugees, food, children, education, and more. The veto power of the permanent Security Council members means the body is most effective when the major powers agree, and often gridlocked when they do not.