United Nations: Key Facts & Overview
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| Aspect | Key Information & Exam Notes |
| Origin of Name | Coined by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. |
| Key Conferences | • Dumbarton Oaks Conference (Aug 21 – Oct 7, 1944; Washington, D.C.) to draft the UN format. • San Francisco Conference (April 25 – June 26, 1945) where the UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945. |
| Founding Members | 51 original founder members. 50 signed at San Francisco; Poland signed later as the 51st founder member. |
| Official Formation | October 24, 1945 (celebrated annually as UN Day). |
| Membership Strength | 193 Member States (South Sudan joined as the 193rd member in 2011). 2 Observer States: Holy See & Palestine. |
| Headquarters & Land | New York City, USA (Land donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr. on Manhattan Island). Headquarters building opened in 1952. |
| Preamble & Charter | Preamble drafted by Field Marshal Jan Smuts (South Africa). The Charter serves as the UN’s constitution. |
| UN Flag & Emblem | White UN emblem (world map framed by two olive branches, symbolizing peace) centered on a light blue background. |
| Official Languages | 6 Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish. • Working Languages: English and French. |
| 6 Major Organs | 1. General Assembly (GA) – “Town Hall of the World” 2. Security Council (UNSC) – “Policeman of the World” 3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 4. Trusteeship Council (Operations suspended in 1994 following Palau’s independence) 5. International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Located at The Hague, Netherlands (All other organs are in NYC) 6. Secretariat |
| UN Security Council (UNSC) | 15 Members Total: • 5 Permanent Members (P5) with Veto Power: USA, UK, France, Russia, China. • 10 Non-Permanent Members: Elected for 2-year terms by a 2/3 majority of the General Assembly. |
| Added Key High-Yield Details | • First Secretary-General: Trygve Lie (Norway). • Current Secretary-General: António Guterres (Portugal). • ICJ Details: Consists of 15 judges elected for 9-year terms. |