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Peace, dignity and equality
on a healthy planet
The UN Secretariat building (at left) under construction in New York City in 1949. At right, the Secretariat and General Assembly buildings four decades later in 1990. UN Photo: MB (L) ; UN Photo (R)
As World War II was about to end in 1945, nations were in ruins, and the world wanted peace. Representatives of 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, California from 25 April to 26 June 1945. For the next two months, they proceeded to draft and then sign the UN Charter, which created a new international organization, the United Nations, which, it was hoped, would prevent another world war like the one they had just lived through.
Four months after the San Francisco Conference ended, theUnited Nations officially began, on 24 October 1945, when it came into existence after its Charterhad been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories.
Now, more than 75 years later, the United Nations is still working to maintain international peace and security,give humanitarian assistance to those in need, protecthuman rights, and upholdinternational law.
At the same time, the United Nations is doingnew work not envisioned for it in 1945by its founders. The United Nations has set sustainable development goalsfor 2030, in order to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all. UN Member States have alsoagreed to climate action to limit global warming.
With many achievements now in itspast, the United Nations is looking tothe future, to new achievements.
The history of the United Nations is still being written.
Milestones in UN History
Timelinesby decadehighlighting key UN milestones
The San Francisco Conference
The story of the 1945 San Francisco Conference
PreparatoryYears: UN Charter History
The steps thatled to the signing of the UN Charter in 1945
Predecessor: The League of Nations
The UN's predecessor and other earlier international organizations
History of the United Nations
- Overview
- Milestones in UN History
- 1941-1950
- 1951-1960
- 1961-1970
- 1971-1980
- 1981-1990
- 1991-2000
- 2001-2010
- 2011-2020
- 2021-2030
- The San Francisco Conference
- PreparatoryYears: UNCharterHistory
- Predecessor: The League of Nations
- United Nations Emblem and Flag
The United Nations and the Nobel Peace Prize
The United Nations, its specialized agencies, related agencies, funds, programmes and staff have beenawarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize twelve times
Main Bodies
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- Trusteeship Council
- International Court of Justice
- Secretariat
Departments / Offices
- New York
- Geneva
- Nairobi
- Vienna
- UN System Directory
- UN System Chart
- Global Leadership
- UN Information Centres
Resources / Services
- Emergency information
- Reporting Wrongdoing
- UN Journal
- Documents
- Guidelines for gender-inclusive language
- Databases
- Library
- UN iLibrary
- UN Chronicle
- UN Yearbook
- Bookshop
- Publications for sale
- Maps
- Media Accreditation
- NGO accreditation at ECOSOC
- NGO accreditation at DGC
- Visitors’ services
- Exhibits
- Procurement
- Employment
- Internships
- Model UN
- Academic Impact
- UN Archives
- UN Audiovisual Library
- How to donate to the UN System
- Information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
- Africa Renewal
- Ten ways the UN makes a difference
- GA High-level Week 2024
Key Documents
- UN Charter
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Statute of the International Court of Justice
- Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization
Issues / Campaigns
- Global Issues
- Observances
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Our Common Agenda
- The Summit of the Future
- Climate Action
- Peace and Security
- Action for Peacekeeping (A4P)
- Global Crisis Response Group
- Call to Action for Human Rights
- Disability Inclusion Strategy
- Fight Racism
- Hate Speech
- LGBTIQ+ People
- Safety of Journalists
- Rule of Law
- Action to Counter Terrorism
- Victims of Terrorism
- Children and Armed Conflict
- Violence Against Children (SRSG)
- Sexual Violence in Conflict
- Refugees and Migrants
- Action Agenda on Internal Displacement
- Spotlight Initiative
- Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
- Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect
- The Rwanda Genocide
- The Holocaust
- The Question of Palestine
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade
- Decolonization
- Messengers of Peace
- Roadmap for Digital Cooperation
- Digital Financing Task Force
- Data Strategy
- Information Integrity
- Countering Disinformation
- Women Rise for All
