Basic Facts about the United Nations

Official handbook for the use by the general public provides comprehensive information on the structure of the United Nations, how the Organization works, the main issues it addresses and its importance for people worldwide. The volume specifies various roles played by principle UN organs and related organizations, and documents the Organization’s core missions of international peace and security, economic and social development, including the sustainable development goals, human rights, humanitarian action, international law and decolonization. Appendices contain current data on UN membership and peacekeeping operations, as well as contact information for UN information centres, services and offices. This forty-second edition has been revised to take account of significant developments in the world and the Organization itself since 2013.