Basic Facts about the United Nations

Basic Facts about the United Nations, published regularly since 1947, serves as the definitive introduction to the UN and its family of related institutions and agencies. Over the years, Basic Facts has expanded the scope and depth of its coverage as the Organization has broadened its commitment to meet the urgent needs of an ever more populous and complex world. At the same time, the book has remained true to its roots as a comprehensive yet concise guide to this leading world body. Continuing that tradition, this forty-second edition outlines the current structure of the UN system and explains how each individual part contributes to achieving key international goals. Basic Facts begins by recounting the origins of the United Nations and providing an overview of the wider system of UN institutions and agencies. In a year that began with the ninth Secretary-General taking office, it also explains the selection process. Successive chapters describe the Organization’s efforts to advance international peace and security; enhance economic and social development in an environmentally sustainable manner; protect human rights and eliminate discrimination; provide humanitarian relief to refugees, displaced persons and those affected by natural and man-made disasters; and develop and standardize international law. These chapters portray an Organization unique in its ability to mobilize collective action to meet the challenges facing our world. Also functioning as a practical handbook, Basic Facts includes appendices providing essential information on UN membership; current and former UN peacekeeping missions; and the observance of UN decades, years, weeks and days. It also contains contact information for UN information centres, services and offices, and lists selected UN websites. This edition has been updated to reflect significant recent developments in the world and within the UN itself. Photographs illustrate how various UN system bodies have partnered with local institutions, governments, civil society—and local people—to help save and improve lives everywhere. Coverage has been streamlined to provide a more focused picture of today’s dynamic and effective UN. Developments concerning new and continuing peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions are discussed, but situations in states or regions in which the UN has ended its security presence or mandate are no longer treated. Likewise, details concerning past UN programmes and conferences have been replaced by information on newer entities such as the high-level political forum on sustainable development, and on action taken such as the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the launch of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its 17 sustainable Basic Facts a xvi bout the United Nations development goals. This edition covers the work completed by the Trusteeship Council as a principal UN organ, however, as the Council’s operations have been suspended, coverage has been condensed and consolidated in the chapter on peace and security. Although officially produced by the UN Department of Public Information, this forty-second edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations incorporates material provided by UN system offices, programmes, agencies and institutions throughout the world. Their input has been essential in bringing Basic Facts to diplomats, researchers, students and the public at large, and they deserve thanks for their contributions to this book and for their efforts to strengthen the United Nations and improve the lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. All data presented in this book are current as at 31 January 2017 unless otherwise noted. Web addresses have been included for access to the latest information on the related topic. For other UN activities throughout the world, please visit: ƒ the official website of the United Nations (www.un.org); ƒ the UN News Centre (www.un.org/news); ƒ the Yearbook of the United Nations (unyearbook.un.org), the Organization’s authoritative reference work, providing an in-depth and historical presentation of UN goals and activities; and ƒ the UN Chronicle magazine (unchronicle.un.org), providing a thematic perspective on issues of global concern.