A woman scientist examining plant samples under a microscope in a greenhouse.
Science and Technology, Social Development

Trust, transformation, and tomorrow: The science we need for 2050

World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights science’s role in supporting peace, sustainability, and informed public understanding. The Day highlights how scientific knowledge can help address global challenges, improve decision-making, and strengthen resilience. In 2025, the observance focuses on building trust in science, encouraging transparent and responsible research, and collaboration among institutions, policymakers, and communities. The Day also stresses inclusive participation and long-term planning to ensure science continues to meet societal needs and future development goals.

On World Science Day for Peace and Development, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing trusted and inclusive science to support sustainable global progress.
Photo:Adobe Stock/Budimir Jevtic
A newborn child at a nutrition centre in Bentiu, South Sudan.

Stakes rise for South Sudan: What’s happening, and why it matters

11 November 2025 — South Sudan is entering a period of rising instability marked by political polarisation, renewed armed clashes, and severe humanitarian strain, senior UN officials told the...

The emissions from the electricity or gasoline that powers air conditioners contributes to global warming.

Keeping cool on a hotter planet: COP30 pushes for sustainable cooling and AI innovation

11 November 2025 — As the planet heats up, so does the race for smarter, cleaner technology. At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, delegates are weighing a paradox at the heart of climate innovation: how to...

A temporary clinic in Tawila for people fleeing conflict in Darfur. "There is mounting evidence that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war," says UN Women.

Sudan war: Women endure starvation, rape and bombs fleeing El Fasher

11 November 2025 — In war-torn Sudan, rape is likely being used as a weapon of war and simply being a woman there is “a strong predictor” of hunger, violence and death, the UN’s gender equality...

UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 Goals to transform our world

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

hands holding megaphone and speech bubble

ActNow Campaign

The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Find new inspiring actions on the app and at un.org/actnow.

Act Now for a Peaceful World

Today, half the world is under 30, and this generation is a powerful force for peace. The UN "Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World" campaign, launched on the International Day of Peace, aims to include, invest in, and partner with young people to build lasting peace. 

children holding up books

SDG Book Club

Reading and learning are essential to children’s growth and development; stories can fuel their imagination and raise awareness of new possibilities. The SDG Book Club aims to encourage them to learn about the Goals in a fun, engaging way, empowering them to make a difference.

SDG Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal of the Month 13

 
Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

More about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More from the
United Nations

Featured stories from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

Three individuals standing side by side, each dressed in distinct traditional or work-related attire, suggesting diverse cultural or occupational backgrounds. Social Development, UNDP

Doha Summit: Renewing commitment to social justice and inclusion

A child born in 1995 may have had better prospects than her parents, yet she faces contemporary challenges such as climate change and inequality. The Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, sought to address these issues by promoting inclusive social development. Leaders from various sectors engaged in dialogue and cooperation to confront deepening inequalities, climate-related hazards, and rapid technological change. The summit adopted the Doha Political Declaration, which emphasizes social justice, peace, security, and sustainable development. It identifies poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion as key pillars for progress.

An elderly woman reclining on a couch covered with a multicolored fabric featuring floral patterns in red, black, and green tones. Natural Resources and the Environment, IOM

Dominica’s journey: Ten years of healing after Tropical Storm Erika

In August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika devastated Petite Savanne, Dominica, claiming over thirty lives and obliterating homes and livelihoods. The area was declared unsafe, forcing families like Vinora’s to relocate to Bellevue Chopin, a government resettlement community. While safer, it lacked the familiarity and sense of belonging that Petite Savanne provided. Elders like Athena lament the loss of community life and social connections. The impacts of climate change are escalating, making such dislocations more common. The people of Petite Savanne strive to rebuild, emphasizing the need for collaboration and lasting solutions to protect lives and dignity.

Aerial view of the Amazon Rainforest, South America Wildlife, FAO

Watching over our forests

Forests are vital to our planet and our well-being, but they’re under increasing pressure. For nearly 80 years, the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessments (FRAs) have been the go-to source for trusted forest data worldwide. Built on country contributions and careful review, the 2025 FRA paints a vivid picture of our forests—tracking their size, health, carbon storage, policies, ownership, and even the impact of natural disturbances. It also highlights the value of non-wood products and how forests are managed. This global collaboration ensures we have the latest insights to guide smart, sustainable decisions for the future of our forests.

arrow landed on outer rings of target
Climate, UNEP

Climate target slipping

UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2025 finds that within the next decade, global temperatures will likely exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

young man using condom dispenser
Population, UNFPA

Five myths about contraception

Get the facts from UNFPA to debunk common myths and consult the new FAQ on Contraception to find out more.

woman driving tractor
Economic Development, World Bank

New chapter for global development

The World Bank’s IDA21 programme is working to help people in the world’s poorest countries by using $100 billion in financial commitments to create jobs, improve services, and protect the planet.

women walking on sand with jugs on their heads
Finance, UNCTAD

Reforming global development finance

In a new report, UN Trade and Development says improving the international financial architecture is a prerequisite for unlocking the finance needed to support climate-resilient development.

What we do

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, including:

A UNIFIL peacekeeper from Spain on a regular patrol in the vicinity of Al Wazzani, south-eastern Lebanon as the sun sets in the horizon. Since 1948, more than a million women and men have served as UN peacekeepers.

Maintain International Peace and Security

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.

Students at Butkhak High School in Kabul, Afghanistan, cheer in unison on the last day of Global Action Week, an international campaign advocating free, quality education for all.

Protect Human Rights

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.  Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.

A child has a meal at a food distribution centre in the Rwanda camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), near Tawila, North Darfur. More than 8,000 women and children living in the camp benefit from nutrition programmes run by the World Food Programme

Deliver Humanitarian Aid

One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."  The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.  The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.

Grace, a farmer from Kipilat village, and a leading member of the forest community in Ainabkoi, Kenya, planting a tree in 2012.

Promote Sustainable Development

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”  Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN. The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have agreed that sustainable development offers the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures filed by Nicaragua on 11 October 2013 in the case concerning Construction of a Road in Costa Rica along the San Juan River.

Uphold International Law

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained."  Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the Organization.  This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.  These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty.  As such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it.  The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

Structure of the
United Nations

The main parts of the UN structure are the General Assembly, the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.

Security Council

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America).

Secretariat

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization's other principal organs.

More about the structure of the United Nations

Learn more

General Assembly hall with the Secretary-General at the podium

The Essential UN

The United Nations is the only place on Earth where all the world's nations come together to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. Learn about the main areas of the UN’s activities; how it makes a difference to the world’s people; and how every citizen can get involved and make a contribution. 

Climate Change

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and now is the defining moment to do something about it. There is still time to tackle climate change, but it will require an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society.

Women at UN CSW63 Side Event - “Take the Hot Seat”. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

Gender Equality

Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is greeted on his visit to the Central African Republic

Ending Poverty

While global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, one in ten people in developing regions still lives on less than US$1.90 a day — the internationally agreed poverty line, and millions of others live on slightly more than this daily amount.

Watch and Listen

Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

Potatoes from the origin to the Arctic

The Potato Park, situated in a centre of origin of crops, safeguards Andean agrobiodiversity and knowledge. Communities in the park combine conservation with sustainable use, including through indigenous seed production. They exchange genetic resources, expertise and practices with other communities around the world. In 2015, Indigenous Andean communities from the Potato Park deposited 750 potato seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The deposit was the result of a Benefit-sharing Fund project supported by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. This video reflects on the deposit to Svalbard and how the same Benefit-sharing Fund project has been essential for establishing a local seed bank, that today protects 1,367 native potato varieties and serves more than 5,000 farmers.

Employment training creates inclusive green jobs

Alaa Mhairat tells us how she gained financial independence and found work in an agricultural project to create a green environment for her community in Jordan.

Suriname: First malaria-free Amazonian country

In 2025, after a decades-long fight against malaria, Suriname was certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization. Hear the voices from the front lines.

UN Podcasts

hands holding corn kernels

Ensuring safe, nutritious and sustainable food for all

Around the world, small-scale farmers are pushing our food systems to evolve. They’re the key to producing enough safe, nutritious food to feed the world sustainably. 

In this episode, we explore how IFAD works hand in hand with rural communities to build a more nourishing future. Learn how innovative agroecology projects are driving economic growth and hear directly from IFAD’s President, Alvaro Lario, about how school meals are inextricably linked to resilient local food systems.  

Latest Audio from UN News

The United Nations in Pictures

Images from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A group of children dressed in vibrant, traditionally patterned clothing are gathered in a circle inside a tent decorated with colourful balloons hanging from the ceiling.
Photo:UNICEF/UNI866081/Karimi

After the quake: Afghan children begin to reclaim their childhood

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August 2025, displacing thousands of children and instilling fear and uncertainty in their lives. Many children experienced trauma, crying at night and withdrawing from friends. In response, UNICEF and HYSIO established child-friendly spaces at the Zeri Baba camp, providing safe environments for children to learn and play, helping them cope with their emotions. These spaces also serve as referral points for health, nutrition, and mental health services, benefiting over 2,300 children through case management and over 13,500 through recreational and psychosocial activities.

Children in a renovated preschool center in the Kyiv region, Ukraine.
Photo:UNOPS/© Yurii Veres

Story of a school: Restoring hope for tomorrow

In the Kyiv region, a preschool education centre that once served over 80 children was severely damaged by a missile on 2 March 2022. The blast impacted on the building’s facade, roof, windows, doors, and heating system, making repairs unaffordable for the community. However, hope arose through the School Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS. Starting in 2024, UNOPS engineers will oversee extensive renovations, including restoration of the facade and roof, new windows and doors, and interior revitalization, creating a safe, modern space for young learners to thrive once again.

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