Japanese woman worker picking green tea leaves in green tea field wearing a traditional blue costume.
Health, Agriculture and Food

Tea for better lives

Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed to have originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China, with evidence of its consumption in China dating back 5,000 years. This year, International Tea Day (21 May) highlights tea’s vital role in livelihoods, sustainability, and well-being. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea, while working to make its production sustainable “from field to cup” ensuring its benefits for people, cultures and the environment continue for generations.

Photo:Adobe Stock/soultkd
Children in Gaza waiting to have their empty containers filled with food.

UN life-saving aid allowed to trickle into Gaza as needs mount

20 May 2025 — Aid is trickling into Gaza after nearly three months of blockade, but it remains far from enough to meet the soaring humanitarian needs, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on...

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, receives a COVID-19 vaccination (file)

Nations adopt historic pledge to guard against future pandemics

20 May 2025 — After three years of negotiations sparked by the COVID-19 crisis, countries have adopted the world’s first-ever international agreement to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to...

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus address the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Health Assembly opens amid high-stakes pandemic treaty vote, global funding crisis

19 May 2025 — The 78th World Health Assembly opened on Monday with a broad appeal to global solidarity, as delegates from around the world gather in Geneva to confront mounting health, climate,...

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

ActNow is the UN campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the lead up to the Summit of the Future, join the 1 Million Actions for our Common Future challenge to contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. Find new inspiring actions on the app and at un.org/actnow.

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.

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 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Goal of the month

 

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

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.

A group of people gathered in a community meeting. Three individuals, wearing blue vests and hats with "UN WOMEN" written on them, are standing at the front addressing the seated audience. Peace and Security, UN Women

Humanitarian funding cuts threaten women’s rights: What’s at stake and how to help

A new UN Women report warns that half of women-led and women's rights organizations in humanitarian crisis zones may close within six months due to funding cuts, jeopardizing vital services for millions of women and families. In a survey of 411 organizations across 44 crisis-affected countries, 90% reported financial impacts from reduced foreign aid, with over 60% already cutting back on services like emergency healthcare and shelter. Between 2021 and 2022, women’s rights organizations received less than 1% of humanitarian aid funding and heavily depend on government support, which is now diminishing. These organizations play a crucial role in delivering essential humanitarian services in Myanmar, Palestine, Sudan, and Afghanistan.

A collage featuring various elements: a group of people working, a bar graph with red bars, a construction crane, an urban skyline with palm trees, and agricultural scenes. Climate Change, UNDP

What are National Adaptation Plans and why do they matter?

National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) help countries incorporate climate adaptation into their existing policies and programs, particularly in key sectors like agriculture and water. By proactive planning, governments can reduce risks and enhance climate resilience. NAPs also facilitate access to climate finance and promote collaboration across different societal levels to implement adaptation measures, such as improved water management and resilient infrastructure. NAPs are especially vital for the 1.2 billion people already facing severe climate hazards, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. 

Four individuals standing in a field of wheat and wearing white protective suits and blue caps. Agriculture and Food, FAO

Where the wind carries hunger

Lutfi Çetin, an expert in rust research with over 30 years of experience, is inspecting wheat fields in Türkiye, where the threat of rust infections looms large. Wheat is crucial for food security in Central Asia and the Caucasus, but airborne fungal diseases known as wheat rusts—such as yellow, leaf, and stem rust—pose a significant global threat, destroying up to 15 million tonnes of grain annually. These rust strains, which have evolved and spread more rapidly than in the past, require effective long-term management through surveillance and the development of disease-resistant wheat varieties. In response to this challenge, a coalition of scientists, farmers, and governments from several Central Asian countries, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Türkiye, is working together to strengthen defenses against these pathogens.

A group of youths.
Pollution and Waste, OHCHR

Youth fight toxic threats

In Egypt’s Nile Delta and beyond, young activists are leading efforts to combat toxic waste and climate threats, demanding environmental justice and sustainable solutions to protect communities and human rights.

A lady sitting next to a sewing machine.
Economic Development, IOM

Stitching a new future

In rural Guatemala, the Impúlsate programme is empowering indigenous women like Silvia with tailoring skills, turning lifelong dreams into income-generating opportunities and fostering economic independence.

People in a water raft.
Slavery and Human Trafficking, UNODC

Global gaps in smuggling laws

A new United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report reveals significant differences in how countries criminalize migrant smuggling, despite global efforts to tackle this organized crime.

A group of women in a processing factory.
Science and Technology, UNCTAD

Digital customs boost aid

Afghanistan’s adoption of the ASYCUDA system has revolutionized humanitarian logistics by slashing paperwork, accelerating customs clearance, and enhancing transparency for faster, more efficient aid delivery.

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

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.

A young girl holds a smiling infant at the Zaatari Refugee Camp

Our Common Agenda

Following up on a pledge made by UN Member States at the UN’s 75th anniversary, the report Our Common Agenda looks ahead to the next 25 years and represents the Secretary-General’s vision on the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond to humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Watch and Listen

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

Mothers in Gaza are struggling to feed their children

Giving birth shouldn't be a fight for survival. In Gaza, Nisma had to flee her home pregnant and now struggles to feed her newborn. Hear her story and see how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is supporting mothers during humanitarian crises.

Plant health and One Health

Plant health is the foundation of food security and is thus at the core of the One Health approach. FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) are taking action to protect plant health by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, healthy soils and water, and by promoting plant health standards for safe trade.

Indigenous nurse promotes vaccination

Paulo Trindade, an indigenous nurse vaccinates indigenous people in remote villages in Brazil. Thanks to his work and that of health teams across the region, with PAHO's support, millions have access to vaccines and quality healthcare.

UN Podcasts

young woman with worried expression touching her forehead

Young and unhappy in the world of work

Things should be looking good for young people in the world of work, but they’re not. While unemployment among young workers between 15 and 24 has recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s a growing epidemic of unhappiness among those workers in both the developed and now the developing world. So, what is to be done? This podcast asks David Blanchflower, a professor at Dartmouth College, renowned labour economist and recognized expert on youth employment, what can be done.

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 with a bandaged head lying down in a medical setting.
Photo:© UNICEF/UNI774362/Nateel

Lives changed forever by war in Gaza

The weeks since the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza have seen yet more pain and tragedy piled on top of what was already almost unfathomable loss. The ongoing bombardments, and the complete block on aid and supplies entering the Gaza Strip, have strained the humanitarian response to the limit. Since the start of this war in Gaza, thousands of children have been killed and many thousands more have been injured. But even for those who survive the injuries, life will never be the same. These are some of their stories.

A woman in a red dress hugging a large tree trunk in a forest.
Photo:© IFAD/Giancarlo Shibayama/Factstory

The small-scale farmers tending to Mother Earth

Our planet sustains all life by providing clean air, water, and food. Rural communities, including farmers, fishers, and herders, recognize that their well-being is connected to the health of the earth. Diverse ecosystems support food production and economic prosperity. To support these communities, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) collaborates with governments to finance sustainable projects, investing $4 billion in sustainable land management and $1.4 billion in climate finance since 2000. From 2018 to 2023, 70% of IFAD projects focused on conserving biodiversity, and 60% promoted agroecological practices. These initiatives empower rural people to care for the environment while benefiting from its resources.

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