Advertisement

Image: Frank Franklin II/dpa/picture allianceImage: Frank Franklin II/dpa/picture alliance

United Nations (UN)

The UN has 193 members. Its objectives include promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, humanitarian aid, and providing peacekeeping missions.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Palestinian Mahfoz Safi (L), resident of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, sits in an armchair in his home and speaks to DW's Emily Gordine.

Palestinian Mahfoz Safi (L), resident of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, sits in an armchair in his home and speaks to DW's Emily Gordine.

Why is UNRWA aid agency so important to Palestinians?

Palestinians in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, tell DW how important the UN aid agency is in their lives.

An adult female hedgehog follwed by a hoglet in underbrush

An adult female hedgehog follwed by a hoglet in underbrush

Hedgehogs being decimated by human behavior: report

The latest Red List of Threatened Species paints a grim picture of alarming rates of plant and animal extinction.

A United Nations security team member stands in front of a helicopter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A United Nations security team member stands in front of a helicopter in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Haiti: Gangs attack UN helicopter as violence surges

Haiti has been wracked by unrest since 2021. But a recent wave of violence by gangs has raised new alarm and concern.

'Quantum leap' in climate ambition needed, says UN report

A UN report says the world is on track for catastrophic global heating but we have the technology to turn things around.

A local fisherman navigates past a boat carrying Rohingya refugees anchored near the Indonesian coast

A local fisherman navigates past a boat carrying Rohingya refugees anchored near the Indonesian coast

Indonesia leaves Rohingya refugees trapped at sea

United Nations refugee agency urges Indonesian government to rescue over 100 Rohingya refugees stranded off its coast.

A Haitian police officer stands guard during a patrol in Port-au-Prince in April 2024

A Haitian police officer stands guard during a patrol in Port-au-Prince in April 2024

Haiti's violent gangs spreading 'fear and terror,' UN says

Despite an international support mission for Haiti's beleaguered police, the UN warns that gang activity is expanding.

Palestinians carry belongings as they flee areas north of Gaza City in the Gaza Strip

Palestinians carry belongings as they flee areas north of Gaza City in the Gaza Strip

Is Israel using 'surrender or starve' strategy in Gaza?

Israel has been accused of implementing a "surrender or starve" plan to force Hamas out of northern Gaza.

UN peacekeeping soldiers sitting and listening to a person speak

UN peacekeeping soldiers sitting and listening to a person speak

UNIFIL: Why are UN peacekeepers in Lebanon?

DW looks into the background of the UN mission in southern Lebanon, its mandate and why it faces criticism.

A woman with red hand face paint

A woman with red hand face paint

UNICEF: Over 370 million girls have faced sexual violence

The issue of sexual violence cuts across geographic, economic, and cultural boundaries, a new UNICEF report has found.

Ethiopia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Taye Atske-Selassie Amde addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Ethiopia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Taye Atske-Selassie Amde addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Ethiopia: New president signals willingness to dialogue

The newly-appointed President Taye Atske Selassie has vowed to pursue peace in Ethiopia and beyond.

Sister Rosita Milesi at a refugee shelter in Pacaraima

Sister Rosita Milesi at a refugee shelter in Pacaraima

Brazilian nun wins UN refugee prize

Sister Rosita Milesi has worked with refugees and the internally displaced within Brazil for the last 40 years.

Residents run for cover following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon.

Residents run for cover following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon.

Can UN Resolution 1701 help end the Hezbollah-Israel fight?

Any diplomatic solution to fighting in Lebanon may involve an 18-year-old UN Security Council resolution.

USA | Was bedeutet der neue „Pakt für die Zukunft“ der UNO für Afrika?

USA | Was bedeutet der neue „Pakt für die Zukunft“ der UNO für Afrika?

What does the new UN 'Pact for the Future' mean for Africa?

World leaders have adopted a "Pact for the Future" to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

AfricaLink News: 25 September 2024

Nigeria seeks debt forgiveness at UN General Assembly +++ Israel intercepts missile fired at Tel Aviv by Hezbollah +++

US President Joe Biden addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York

US President Joe Biden addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York

Biden calls for end to global conflicts in final UN speech

In his final UN address, Biden appealed for diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a speech during United Nations Security Council at the United Nations Headquarters in New York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a speech during United Nations Security Council at the United Nations Headquarters in New York

Ukraine's Zelenskyy to address UN General Assembly

Zelenskyy drums up support for his "victory plan" in New York as fighting continues in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.

Indian PM Modi will focus on strengthening ties between diaspora Indians to those at home in India.

Indian PM Modi will focus on strengthening ties between diaspora Indians to those at home in India.

India's Modi to prioritize diaspora community on trip to US

Indian PM Modi will focus on strengthening ties between diaspora Indians to those at home in India.

A water tap.

A water tap.

Half the world lacks access to safe drinking water

Less than half of people around the world have access to safe drinking water.

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett seen during a United Nations' press conference

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett seen during a United Nations' press conference

Taliban ban UN human rights rapporteur in Afghanistan

The Islamist regime has claimed Richard Bennet was spreading "propaganda."

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Aid workers suffered deadliest year in 2023, says UN

The Gaza Strip, South Sudan and Sudan were the deadliest regions for humanitarian workers, according to a UN report.

People carry Venezuela's national flag to protest the election results that awarded Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro with a third term.

People carry Venezuela's national flag to protest the election results that awarded Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro with a third term.

Venezuela elections lack 'integrity,' says UN

A panel of experts said the way the recent presidential vote was carried out "had no precedent."

Children play near stagnant pools of water in Lilanda township in Lusaka, Zambia

Children play near stagnant pools of water in Lilanda township in Lusaka, Zambia

End of world hunger by 2030 increasingly unlikely, UN report

Conflict, economic instability and extreme weather contributed to the hunger 733 million people suffered in 2023.

external

UN court ruling on Israeli settlements: DW's Lucia Schulten

The ICJ has ruled that Israel's settlements in the Palestinian territories break international law.

Nelson Mandela - 10. Todestag

Nelson Mandela - 10. Todestag

Nelson Mandela Day: An opportunity to return to the ideals

Mandela Day offers an opportunity to return to the ideals that he stood for as the country builds a new coalition.

Mid-shot of a female figure in a black hijab, a bag over one shoulder, a book in the other arm. She stands in front of a white wall; her face has been erased, as if you can see through her.

Mid-shot of a female figure in a black hijab, a bag over one shoulder, a book in the other arm. She stands in front of a white wall; her face has been erased, as if you can see through her.

Afghan women taking the initiative against the Taliban

Afghan women are the ones who suffer most under Taliban rule. They are establishing networks to fight for their rights.

Kenya's President William Ruto speaking to police officers at the National Police College prior to their departure for Haiti,

Kenya's President William Ruto speaking to police officers at the National Police College prior to their departure for Haiti,

Haitians welcome arrival of Kenyan peacekeeping troops

Hundreds of Kenyan troops have arrived in Haiti on a peacekeeping mission backed by the UN.

A standoff between migrants and Polish soldiers on Kuznica Bialostocka-Bruzgi border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border, November 8 2021.

A standoff between migrants and Polish soldiers on Kuznica Bialostocka-Bruzgi border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border, November 8 2021.

Poland, Baltics step up border controls amid migrant crisis

Since 2021, migrants have made nearly 150,000 attempts to illegally cross into the EU from Belarus, DW analysis shows.

Children stand near a crater caused by Israeli bombardment in a street in Rafah

Children stand near a crater caused by Israeli bombardment in a street in Rafah

UN puts Israel, Hamas on blacklist for harming children

Israel has condemned a UN decision to include its army on the list of organizations harming children in conflict zones.

Yemeni Houthi fighters carrying arms and sitting on the back of miltiary truck

Yemeni Houthi fighters carrying arms and sitting on the back of miltiary truck

Yemen's Houthis reportedly detain several UN staff members

Yemeni officials say the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have detained 9 UN employees.

Europawahl 2024 | Trockenheit & Hitze

Europawahl 2024 | Trockenheit & Hitze

UN Secretary-General issues wakeup call on climate change

Antonio Guterres accused fossil fuel companies of being "the godfathers of climate chaos."

MONUSCO blue helmet peacekeeper deployed near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

MONUSCO blue helmet peacekeeper deployed near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

UN 'Peacekeepers Day' remembers the lives lost

This year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers honors more than 4,000 blue helmets who have died in service.

DW Reporter | Bangladesch 2024 | Vom Folterkeller auf UN-Friedensmissionen

DW Reporter | Bangladesch 2024 | Vom Folterkeller auf UN-Friedensmissionen

Bangladesh: How torturers become UN peacekeepers

Soldiers from a Bangladeshi unit accused of torture serve as blue helmet soldiers.

A view of several uniformed men with large RAB emblems on their backs

A view of several uniformed men with large RAB emblems on their backs

Human rights abusers dispatched as UN peacekeepers, DW finds

Officers from a controversial Bangladeshi elite unit are being sent on United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a special session of the UN General Assembly

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a special session of the UN General Assembly

UN votes to strengthen status of Palestinians

The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Palestinian bid to become a full member.

A local Ethiopian farmer collecting sheaves of Teff for threshing

A local Ethiopian farmer collecting sheaves of Teff for threshing

Intellectual property: How to stop Western theft

A new UN pact could help developing countries to stop developed nations from co-opting and patenting their products.

People gather at the side of an explosion in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

People gather at the side of an explosion in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

US condemns attacks on DR Congo camps for displaced people

The State Deparment suggested Rwanda or the M23 rebel group were responsible for the attacks in the North Kivu province.

A destroyed UNRWA school building in Gaza

A destroyed UNRWA school building in Gaza

UNRWA: Review finds 'neutrality' issues, no terror proof

A review of UNRWA's neutrality was prompted by unproven Israeli accusations that aid workers in Gaza were terrorists.

A boy eats freshly-baked Tannoor bread at a camp for displaced people in Libya

A boy eats freshly-baked Tannoor bread at a camp for displaced people in Libya

Libya: UN envoy's resignation diminishes hopes for democracy

Libya's UN envoy quit over "stubborn resistance." His successor must be willing to disrupt the status quo, analysts say.

A health worker measures the arm of a child

A health worker measures the arm of a child

UN raises $600 million for Ethiopia, falls short of target

A UN-led event to secure donations to address Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis fell short of its $1 billion target.

Judges and delegates sit in the courtroom

Judges and delegates sit in the courtroom

Germany faces Gaza genocide charge at top UN court

The suit argues that by defunding UNRWA and supporting Israel, Germany is "facilitating genocide" in the Gaza Strip.

A woman wearing a niqab walks down the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8, 2023, with balloon decorations for International Women's Day in the background

A woman wearing a niqab walks down the street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8, 2023, with balloon decorations for International Women's Day in the background

Why is Saudi Arabia heading top UN women's rights forum?

Despite ongoing repression back home, Saudi Arabia will head the UN Commission on the Status of Women next year.

The Palestinian flag and the flag of Hezbollah wave in the wind on a pole as peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol the border area between Lebanon and Israel

The Palestinian flag and the flag of Hezbollah wave in the wind on a pole as peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol the border area between Lebanon and Israel

Israel denies attacking UN observers in Lebanon

Three observers and a interpreter with the UN peacekeeping mission were wounded while on patrol in southern Lebanon.

Frauen in Saudi-Arabien | Symbolbild

Frauen in Saudi-Arabien | Symbolbild

Saudi Arabia to head UN women’s rights forum

Saudi Arabia is set to take over the UN women's rights forum — despite criticism over its gender equality record.

Antonio Guterres walks, flanked by Egyptian officials, during visit to Gaza border

Antonio Guterres walks, flanked by Egyptian officials, during visit to Gaza border

With Guterres in Egypt, Israel FM says UN is 'anti-Israeli'

Israel's top diplomat, Israel Katz, accused the UN of sheltering terror as the UN chief was visiting Gaza's border.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with Egyptian officals

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres with Egyptian officals

Guterres says 'it is time to silence the guns'

On Egypt's side of the Rafah crossing into Gaza, UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a renewed plea for a ceasefire.

People walk past an advertising placard in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum declaring that "the future is AI," January 16, 2024.

People walk past an advertising placard in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum declaring that "the future is AI," January 16, 2024.

UN General Assembly adopts first AI resolution

The UN General Assembly's resolution on artificial intelligence is meant to be an "important first step."

Mother with son in Chad

Mother with son in Chad

Childhood death rate falls, threats persist: UN report

Despite progress, the report warns, the UN goal of significantly reducing preventable childhood deaths remains distant.

A food store in the Cuban town of Trinidad with a few cucumbers, onions and potatoes as the only products for sale

A food store in the Cuban town of Trinidad with a few cucumbers, onions and potatoes as the only products for sale

Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens

With milk and bread in short supply due to a lack of foreign currency, Cuba has turned to the United Nations for help.

A burned car is seen outside the National Penitentiary in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A burned car is seen outside the National Penitentiary in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti

US urges citizens to leave Haiti as violence escalates

The White House said it was "monitoring Haiti's rapidly deteriorating security situation with great concern."

Men carry the bodies of people killed in an early morning incident when residents rushed toward aid trucks in Gaza City on February 29, 2024.

Men carry the bodies of people killed in an early morning incident when residents rushed toward aid trucks in Gaza City on February 29, 2024.

UN calls for probe into Gaza aid deaths

After more than 100 people were killed during an aid truck delivery in Gaza, the UN is calling for an investigation.