The Basics of the United Nations

Summary of Episode 4:

In this episode of IR Unfiltered, we kick off our United Nations series by breaking down the basics of one of the most important international organisations in the world.

The UN was founded on October 24, 1945, just after World War II, with one big goal: to prevent future global wars by giving countries a place to talk, solve problems, and work together. It started with 51 member states and now has 193 — nearly every country in the world. Its main headquarters is in New York City, but it also has major offices in Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna.

The UN isn’t a world government. It doesn’t make laws or control countries. Instead, it focuses on cooperation, especially on big global issues like peace, poverty, climate change, and human rights.

We also dive into the six main parts of the UN:

1. General Assembly – All countries get one vote. It’s where issues are debated, and ideas are shared (though decisions aren’t legally binding).

2. Security Council – The most powerful body, with 15 members (5 permanent). It can authorise peacekeeping missions or sanctions.

3. ECOSOC – The Economic and Social Council. It handles things like education, healthcare, and development.

4. International Court of Justice – Settles legal disputes between countries. It’s based in The Hague, Netherlands.

5. The Secretariat – Led by the Secretary-General (currently António Guterres), runs the UN's day-to-day work.

6. Trusteeship Council – Mostly inactive today, but it used to support colonies becoming independent nations.

We also explore some of the UN’s most well-known agencies:

• UNICEF – Helps children with healthcare, education, and protection.

• WHO – The World Health Organisation supports global public health.

• UNDP – Works on ending poverty and promoting good governance.

• WFP – The World Food Programme provides food aid in emergencies.

Finally, we touch on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—17 goals set for 2030 that aim to build a better, fairer, and more sustainable world.

This episode is a perfect starting point if you’ve ever wondered what the UN does and why it matters. And it’s just the beginning — stay tuned for more as we continue our UN series!