united nations

• international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace security and international cooperation (has its headquarters in new york city, usa)
the united nations was founded in 1945 as the successor to the league of nations. its aim is to maintain international peace and security. the security council of the united nations has fifteen member states, of which five are permanent: china, france, great britain, the russian federation, and the united states. the security council is the un's, and the world's, principal forum for resolving conflict between nations. the general assembly of the united nations deals with social, economic, and human rights problems. united nations agencies include: united nations high commission for refugees (unhcr); united nations development programme (undp); united nations children's fund (unicef); and united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (unesco). dr boutros boutros ghali became secretary general in 1992. the headquarters are in new york city. the only sovereign countries which are not members of the un are: andorra, kiribati, monaco, nauru, switzerland, taiwan, tonga, tuvalu, and vatican city.