African American women of three generations hugging
Health, Racism and Xenophobia

Right to health - a fundamental right still denied

The 2026 International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent (25 July) highlights the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Women and girls of African descent continue to face systemic racism, gender discrimination and unequal access to quality, culturally appropriate health care, resulting in preventable health disparities. The observance calls for equitable health systems, respectful maternal care, better race- and gender-disaggregated data, and the meaningful participation of women and girls of African descent in shaping the policies that affect their health and well-being.

Health inequalities affect women and girls of African descent throughout their lives, limiting access to services and the quality of care they receive.
Photo:Adobe Stock/WavebreakMediaMicro
Silhouettes of people, including women and children, standing behind a metal fence at the Al-Hol Camp in Syria, with white tents visible in the background.

Syria ‘not alone’ in locating missing persons, tackling displacement

23 July 2026 — Syria is not alone in tackling challenges, including the hundreds of thousands who remain missing during past tumultuous decades, the head of a UN institution said on Thursday as...

Reddish-brown water from an algae bloom washes onto a dark sandy beach.

Stranded seafarers remain trapped as Hormuz shipping stalls

23 July 2026 — As the Iran-US war continues, the key question remains unanswered about how shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be managed in future – although the UN has reiterated that...

A view of the urban landscape of Managua, Nicaragua, featuring a prominent modern tower and a historic building, with lush greenery in the foreground.

Nicaragua continues to weaken political freedoms, UN warns

22 July 2026 — The UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Wednesday condemned new threats from Nicaragua’s co-president Daniel Ortega to hinder civil rights and prevent dissenting individuals and...

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. 

Thomas the Tank engine

Student Resources on the SDGs

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals! On our student resources page you will find plenty of materials for young people and adults alike. Share with your family and friends to help achieve a better world for all.

17 SDG goals

GOAL OF THE MONTH

Ten years after their adoption, the Sustainable Development Goals remain a universal call to action for all countries – developed and developing. Progress is being made, yet major challenges remain. At the High-level Political Forum, countries focus on accelerating action on five critical goals.

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.

Mbape and another player at the World Cup Sports, UNEP

Nature scored big at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup demonstrated that mega-sporting events could leave cities greener, not just busier. Toronto, Seattle and Mexico City turned tournament pressure into long-term environmental gains through net-zero facilities, restored parks, native tree planting, reusable foodware, food rescue and stronger recycling systems. Expanded public transit, cycling routes and walkable streets also helped fans choose lower-carbon travel. The tournament showed that when cities paired major events with community action and lasting partnerships, the final whistle marked the beginning of a healthier, more sustainable urban future.

mother feeding chidlren with porridge Agriculture and Food, FAO

Hunger eases, but the challenge remains

The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report shows that global hunger declined for the third consecutive year, with an estimated 645 million people affected in 2025. Despite this progress, major regional disparities persist, with Africa continuing to bear the highest burden of hunger and the greatest difficulty in accessing affordable, healthy diets. The report warns that conflict, climate shocks, economic instability and rising food costs continue to threaten food security, underscoring the need for stronger investments in resilient food systems and equitable access to nutritious food to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.

girl studies at kitchen table Children, UNICEF

Middle East conflict could push millions more children into poverty

A new UNICEF analysis warns that the economic shock triggered by the Middle East conflict could push up to 23.4 million additional children into monetary poverty by the end of 2026. Rising food and fuel prices, disrupted shipping routes and strained government budgets are reducing families' ability to afford basic needs while limiting access to healthcare, education and social protection. Children in Africa and Asia are expected to bear the greatest burden. UNICEF calls for urgent international action to protect vulnerable families and prevent years of progress in reducing child poverty from being reversed.

An illustration of photos.
Climate, WMO

Your weather, your world

Submit your best weather-inspired photograph to WMO's 2027 Calendar Competition and showcase how weather, climate, and water shape our lives and planet.

A group of school girls.
Refugees, UNHCR

Support stays strong

Global support for protecting refugees remains resilient, with most people backing asylum despite ongoing concerns about border management, integration, and the fairness of refugee systems.

A couple of factory workers inspecting a car.
Trade and Commerce, UNCTAD

Trade hits record pace

Global trade surged in early 2026, driven by strong goods demand, rising prices, and booming AI and electric vehicle supply chains despite geopolitical headwinds.

A woman putting a helmet on a child's head.
Health, WHO

Road deaths decline globally

Global road traffic deaths fell 21% since 2011 despite rising vehicle numbers, but crashes still kill 1.16 million people annually, prompting renewed global safety commitments.

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

Podium of the General Assembly Hall seen from below with the gold wall and the golden UN logo behind

Selecting the next Secretary-General

The United Nations process to appoint the next Secretary‑General continues with interactive dialogues guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity. Watch the dialogues with the candidates: Michelle Bachelet Jeria (21 April), Rafael Mariano Grossi (21 April), Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (22 April), Macky Sall (22 April), María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (15 June) and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (18 June).

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A group of people carrying their few belongings, walking in front of buildings in ruins, at sunset.

The Spotlight series

This series shines a light on communities facing conflict, displacement, public health emergencies and other humanitarian challenges around the world. Drawing on reporting from across the UN system, it amplifies voices from countries including Haiti, Gaza, DR Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan and Myanmar, to foster understanding, encourage engagement, and help mobilize support, assistance, and protection for the most vulnerable people.

Climate Change

Climate Change is one of the defining issues of our time and we are at a pivotal moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Taking decisive action today will make adapting to these impacts in the future more effective and less costly.

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. 

Watch and Listen

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

Conflict minerals in DR Congo: Why the rules aren't working?

Conflict minerals continue entering global supply chains despite existing UN rules, highlighting the need for stronger implementation, peace, and effective regional cooperation. Lasting stability in the Kivus would empower local communities, strengthen responsible mineral trade, and create the conditions for sustainable economic development.

Safe spaces, brighter futures

A new UNOPS-built shelter in Ukraine's Mykolaiv Region is enabling nearly 250 students to safely return to in-person learning and regain a sense of normalcy.

Midwives on the front lines

Even during Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dedicated midwives like Francine continue providing life-saving care to mothers and newborns despite the risks.

UN Podcasts

Allegra crouching to look at a canvas filled with colorful palm prints and a child is crouching next to her

Why I’m still an obstinate optimist (AAN: S13-E6)

“There's still so much magic in the UN, because while we look at the disagreement, we're not seeing how much agreement is happening every day on many, many issues, and just that, you know, being able to bring the world around any topic and actually have them agree is incredible.”

Born to Italian parents in Venezuela, Allegra Baiocchi has been on the move ever since and has lived in more than 25 countries around the world. Now UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, she believes in the power of the United Nations to improve the well-being of all people, wherever they are.

“I am truly an optimist. I do think we can turn this around, but it does need a lot of people taking action, and so I stay awake at night trying to figure out how to get people to act.”

Formerly the UN’s chief humanitarian coordinator for western and central Africa, Allegra Baiocchi faced down overlapping deadly crises, from Ebola and war, to drought, famine and displacement. In this episode, she reflects on the highs and lows of her long and varied career, and shares how she brought up children who are as much citizens of the globe as she is.

Photo: ©Danilo Mora/UN Costa Rica

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 child in school uniform wading through water
Photo:WFP/Benjamin Anguandia

El Niño fuels hunger, but early action can save lives

A child wades through water  in Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, after El Niño-induced torrential rains caused Lake Tanganyika to overflow in 2024. El Niño is one of the world's strongest climate patterns, bringing droughts, floods and extreme weather that damage crops, disrupt markets and drive hunger in vulnerable communities. Because its impacts can be forecast months in advance, governments and humanitarian agencies have a critical window to act before food crises escalate. Through anticipatory action—such as cash assistance, food support, early-warning systems and climate monitoring—the World Food Programme helps families protect their livelihoods and reduce future losses. 

women making spice paste
Photo:UNFPA

Developing sustainable businesses in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, women in the Sabari Kadi cooperative are strengthening their livelihoods by producing soumbala, a traditional fermented seasoning made from African locust beans. Through UNFPA-supported training, they have improved harvesting practices, adopted natural pest control, strengthened hygiene standards and gained skills in financial management and online marketing. These changes have enhanced the quality of their products, expanded market opportunities and increased incomes, while promoting sustainable use of forest resources. By combining environmental stewardship with entrepreneurship, the training is creating new opportunities for women and building resilience against climate-related challenges.

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