United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a Centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. It is the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world. The UN is headquartered on its international territory, with its other global missions and regional offices around the world. The UN System includes a multitude of specialized agencies, funds and programmes such as the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, UNESCO, and UNICEF. Additionally, non-governmental organizations may be granted consultative status with ECOSOC and other agencies to participate in the UN's work. The United Nations, with offices in 193 countries and 37,000 employees, is the world's largest universal multilateral international organization. It inspires people from around the world to join its mission of maintaining peace, advancing human rights and promoting justice, equality and development. The UN staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and any assignment from him or her to any activities or global offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation.