Two Jewish brothers wearing distinctive badges imposed by the Nazis.
Human Rights

Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights

Born from the ashes of the Second World War, the United Nations emerged determined to prevent the horrors of the Holocaust from ever recurring. These crimes shaped modern human rights law, inspiring the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Genocide Convention. The International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (27 January) honours victims and warns against hatred and antisemitism. The UN Secretary-General, the General Assembly and diplomats observe the International Day with Holocaust survivors and their families. Watch live or on demand on UN WebTV.

A portrait of two Jewish brothers in the Kovno ghetto, Lithuania, February 1944. They wear distinctive badges imposed by the Nazis.
Photo:United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Shraga Wainer.
To help reduce tensions and improve livelihoods, UNMISS Indian peacekeepers conducted veterinary camps in Jonglei State to treat diseases, provided preventive care and free medicines.

South Sudan: UN and rights experts warn against risk of mass violence in Jonglei

26 January 2026 — The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is sounding the alarm over the threat of escalating violence in Jonglei state which is putting lives at risk and further weakening...

A wide view of the Security Council open debate on the rule of law.

UN chief warns ‘law of the jungle’ is replacing rule of law

26 January 2026 — Warning that the “rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle,” the UN Secretary-General on Monday urged world powers to recommit to international law as the...

The flag of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) flies at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

US withdrawal from WHO ‘risks global safety’, agency says in detailed rebuttal

24 January 2026 — The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a detailed statement regretting the United States decision to leave the UN agency, and declaring that it will leave both the US and...

UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 Goals to transform our world

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

hands holding megaphone and speech bubble

ActNow Campaign

The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Find new inspiring actions on the app and at un.org/actnow.

Act Now for a Peaceful World

Today, half the world is under 30, and this generation is a powerful force for peace. The UN "Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World" campaign, launched on the International Day of Peace, aims to include, invest in, and partner with young people to build lasting peace. 

children holding up books

SDG Book Club

Reading and learning are essential to children’s growth and development; stories can fuel their imagination and raise awareness of new possibilities. The SDG Book Club aims to encourage them to learn about the Goals in a fun, engaging way, empowering them to make a difference.

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

Goal of the Month

 

Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

 

More about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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United Nations

Featured stories from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

Meeting of the ECOSOC in 1946. ECOSOC

ECOSOC turns 80: A pivotal moment for multilateralism

On 23 January 2026, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) marks its 80th Anniversary. For eight decades, it has been a place where countries and communities come together to tackle shared global challenges: from post-war recovery and decolonization to today’s climate and inequality crises. By connecting governments, experts, civil society, and partners, ECOSOC helps turn global ideas into collective action. Get to know more about this UN body and join the anniversary event.

A group of displaced young women attending an English class in North Darfur, Sudan. UNESCO, Education

The power of youth in co-creating education

Youth under 30 make up over half the world’s population and drive innovation and social change, yet face poverty, inequality and limited access to education and decent work. Their engagement is essential to shape modern education amid rapid technological change. Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, youth must be co‑creators of education at all levels. The Youth Declaration on Transforming Education highlights their leadership, and the 2026 International Day of Education (24 January) celebrates their role.

A digital world map overlaid with financial data. World Bank, Economic Development

Global economic resilience masks an uneven growth outlook

When the world stumbled, the economy kept walking, but more slowly. Despite recent shocks, the global economy has remained resilient, but long‑term growth has slowed, leaving many developing countries poorer than before the COVID‑19 pandemic. Rising inequality between high- and low‑income economies reflects policy setbacks, especially weakened fiscal discipline. The lesson is clear: strong governance, clearer fiscal rules and renewed reforms are essential for developing economies to regain momentum.

An illustration of people on one hundred dollar bills.
Finance, Social Development, UNDP

Investing in people pays best

With global wealth abundant but unevenly connected, investing in human capital through solidarity, domestic resources and private financing is both the smartest and most effective way to close development gaps and achieve the SDGs.

Nurcan attending to her beehive
Economic Development, FAO

From corporate life to beekeeping

After leaving a successful corporate career, Nurcan Tekneci rebuilt her life around sustainable beekeeping in rural Türkiye, becoming an entrepreneur, trainer and community role model with support from FAO

Trade and Commerce, UNCTAD

Global trade grows, fragmentation rises

After reaching a record $35 trillion in 2025, global trade is set to keep growing in 2026 at a slower pace as geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts and digital and green transitions reshape trade flows.

Gaza children in class after a meal.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, WFP

Feeding minds, not just hunger

In Gaza’s makeshift classrooms, fortified snacks and nutrition support are helping children regain stability, return to learning and remember that their role is to grow, dream and be children again.

What we do

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, including:

A UNIFIL peacekeeper from Spain on a regular patrol in the vicinity of Al Wazzani, south-eastern Lebanon as the sun sets in the horizon. Since 1948, more than a million women and men have served as UN peacekeepers.

Maintain International Peace and Security

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.

Students at Butkhak High School in Kabul, Afghanistan, cheer in unison on the last day of Global Action Week, an international campaign advocating free, quality education for all.

Protect Human Rights

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.  Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.

A child has a meal at a food distribution centre in the Rwanda camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), near Tawila, North Darfur. More than 8,000 women and children living in the camp benefit from nutrition programmes run by the World Food Programme

Deliver Humanitarian Aid

One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."  The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.  The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.

Grace, a farmer from Kipilat village, and a leading member of the forest community in Ainabkoi, Kenya, planting a tree in 2012.

Promote Sustainable Development

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”  Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN. The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have agreed that sustainable development offers the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures filed by Nicaragua on 11 October 2013 in the case concerning Construction of a Road in Costa Rica along the San Juan River.

Uphold International Law

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained."  Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the Organization.  This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.  These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty.  As such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it.  The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

Structure of the
United Nations

The main parts of the UN structure are the General Assembly, the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.

Security Council

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America).

Secretariat

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization's other principal organs.

More about the structure of the United Nations

Learn more

Podium of the General Assembly Hall seen from below with the gold wall and the golden UN logo behind

Selecting the next Secretary-General

On 25 November 2025, the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council initiated the process of selecting and appointing the next Secretary-General. Candidates are nominated by a Member State or a group of Member States. Learn more about the multi-step selection and appointment process of the next United Nations Secretary-General.

Climate Change

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and now is the defining moment to do something about it. There is still time to tackle climate change, but it will require an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society.

Women at UN CSW63 Side Event - “Take the Hot Seat”. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

Gender Equality

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is greeted on his visit to the Central African Republic

Ending Poverty

While global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, one in ten people in developing regions still lives on less than US$1.90 a day — the internationally agreed poverty line, and millions of others live on slightly more than this daily amount.

Watch and Listen

Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

At the edge of war

Fleeing Sudan’s brutal civil war, refugees like Nafeesa now seek fragile safety in northern Central African Republic, where UN peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies work to contain violence, ease tensions and protect communities strained by displacement.

How digital skills saved our family business

SENATIC is a joint initiative of Colombia’s Ministry of ICT, SENA and the ILO that equips young people such as Rafael Meza, with digital and technical skills through secondary education combined with certified training from global tech companies.

Between 2024 and 2026, the programme will train more than 60,000 students across all 32 departments of Colombia, with nearly 20 percent of beneficiaries coming from indigenous communities.

Leprosy elimination in Guyana

PAHO are supporting Guyana’s Ministry of Health to eliminate leprosy by 2030 by strengthening early detection, contact tracing, treatment and stigma reduction, while addressing ongoing transmission highlighted by new pediatric cases through training, surveillance and technical support aligned with the Global Leprosy Strategy.

UN Podcasts

under a canopy, Cheryl is chatting with 2 young men in uniform with many in the background

How to lead forces for peace, Cheryl Pearce (AAN S12-E6)

After enlisting at 18, Cheryl Pearce battled rigid gender barriers to rise through the military ranks. Now the UN’s Acting Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, the Australian-born Lieutenant General is the highest ranking woman in uniform within the United Nations.

“Peace for me, is seeing communities having food security, having water security, education, knowing, you know, as a mum myself, knowing that my children can grow up to feel like that. They can have a life and a future and fulfill their dreams and goals.”

Lieutenant General Pearce knows what it takes to serve in some of the most difficult places on earth, from East Timor to Afghanistan. In this episode, she reflects on the sources of her mental and physical resilience, on making a robust case for peacekeeping in an age of disinformation, and shares why her family wants her to show her chaotic side once in a while.

“I don't believe in a world without peacekeeping. I truly believe in what we do and that we do make a difference. There is so much good about who we are and what we do.”

Photo: ©CMDR Kylie Robson

Latest Audio from UN News

The United Nations in Pictures

Images from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A family standing in front of a shelter built after the floodings in Burundi.
Photo:UNRCO Burundi/Merveilleux Mulemera Mugozi.

Families reclaim their lives in Burundi

Almost two years after floods devastated Gatumba village in Burundi, 39-year-old Jeanine Ndabazaniye is gradually rebuilding her life with the help of the UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF). The floods, driven by the El Niño climate phenomenon, affected nearly 300,000 people. Many were displaced and forced to sleep outdoors. Thanks to support from the government and organizations, former displaced families were relocated to Gateri, where 250 shelters were built. The UN Refugee Agency, funded by CERF, provided $2.5 million for immediate relief and $5 million for resettlement. Over 6,000 people now call Gateri home.

A child looks at a pile of rubble in Gaza.
Photo:UNOPS/Hussein M.Owda

As a humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, a call for action rings clear

A three-month ceasefire has provided temporary relief for the 2 million people in Gaza, but residents still face severe hardships as winter and heavy rains exacerbate their suffering. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva visited the area, where he saw the extensive destruction and met displaced residents and UN personnel working under challenging conditions. He emphasized the urgent need for increased humanitarian access and fuel for critical operations, along with the safe clearance of an estimated 60 million tonnes of rubble. Da Silva called for a long-overdue political solution to ensure safety and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

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