This comprehensive handbook designed for the general public explains the structure of the United Nations how the Organization works the main issues it addresses and its importance for people everywhere. In addition to setting out the various roles played by principle UN organs and related organizations Basic Facts about the United Nations documents the Organization’s contributions to international peace and security economic and social development 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 latest edition published in 2017 has been revised to take account of significant developments in the world and the Organization itself since 2014.

This comprehensive handbook designed for the general public sets forth the structure of the United Nations how the Organization works the main issues it deals with and its importance for people everywhere. Along with explaining the role played by its principal organs and the family of UN organizations individual chapters explore UN contributions to international peace and security economic and social development human rights; humanitarian action international law; and decolonization. A series of appendices documents UN membership peacekeeping operations budget and contact information for UN information centers services and offices. This new edition of the work has been substantially revised featuring significant developments worldwide and in the United Nations itself since the last edition (previously titled The UN Today) in 2008.

The Basic Facts about the United Nations reflects the multitude of ways in which the United Nations touches the lives of people everywhere. It chronicles the work of the Organization in such areas as peace development human rights humanitarian assistance disarmament and international law. In describing the work of the United Nations family of organizations this book provides a comprehensive account of the many challenges before the international community as well as the joint ongoing efforts to find solutions.