The United Nations is an international organization made up of member states that work together to maintain international peace and security, help people around the world develop economically and socially, and promote human rights. The UN has been in operation for over seventy-five years and continues to be a vital source of assistance in dealing with global problems.
After the end of the Second World War, countries agreed to establish a general international organization for peaceful purposes. They hoped the new body would help prevent future wars and provide a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in their efforts to achieve peace, justice and better living standards for all.
On 24 October 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence when its Charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Charter set out three pillars: maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting economic and social progress and better living standards for all.
The United Nations is governed by the General Assembly, the only body with universal membership. Each state has one vote and decisions require a two-thirds majority. The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and is composed of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Each of the five permanent members has a veto power.
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