What you may see
Tours at the United Nations Headquarters:
Please note that due to renovations of the United Nations complex, visitors might not be allowed to access some of the chambers.
For updated information call 212-963-7539.
The guided tours
The guided tour of the United Nations starts with a brief overview of the Organization whereby you will learn about:
- its history,
- its structure,
- its composition, and
- who designed the famous buildings located by the East River.
Members of the United Nations have donated gifts of art to the Organization over the years. On the next stop you might see:
- a memorial Buddhist Stupa from Thailand,
- drums from the Caribbean, or
- a Tepak Sireh from Malaysia.
In the next section, you will have the opportunity to view the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a design by Brazilian artist Octavio Roth, followed by an exhibit on disarmament. Among the artifacts presented are:
- remnants (coins, bottles, a school uniform and the sculpture of St. Agnes) of the nuclear explosion in Nagasaki and Hiroshima,
- landmines of various types and shapes, and
- the Escopetarra, a guitar made from an AK47 by César López, a Colombian musician and social activist.
The General Assembly Hall, the largest meeting room at the United Nations, is next. This is where the 193 members of the Organization convene to discuss global issues.
The final part of your visit will include a presentation of:
- the Security Council,
- the contributions of peacekeepers, and
- the work of the United Nations system to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Due to renovations of the United Nations Headquarters, visitors will no longer be allowed to access the Conference building.
Learn more about the renovations of the UN Headquarters
Ask lots of questions and enjoy your visit!
