In April 1945, delegates from 50 countries met in San Francisco, California, to organise the United Nations. In June, they completed the United Nations Charter or founding document. On 24 October 1945, the United Nations officially began work.
The day-to-day administration of the UN is carried out by the Secretariat. This is led by the Secretary-General. Norwegian politician Trygve Lie was the first Secretary-General of the UN.
The United Nations grew from 51 Member States in 1945 (Poland signed the Charter in October 1945), to 193 Members States in 2021.
Did You Know?
Ireland joined the UN in 1955. Ireland was the 63rd member of the United Nations.
Trygve Lie
The flag of the United Nations
The headquarters of the United Nations in New York
How Does the United Nations Promote International Co-operation?
The United Nations promotes international co-operation in a number of ways.
The General Assembly UN Security Council Peacekeepers Economic and Social Council WHO UNESCO ILO IMF
Human Rights Council
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United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
The International Court of Justice
How does the UN promote international co-operation?
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Other ways the UN promotes international co-operation:
Explain ‘international co-operation’
Outline how the UN promotes international co-operation