What is the United Nations (UN)?

The UN formed after Word War II to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The UN has a representative from nearly every commonly recognized country in the world. This structure provides all member nations a forum to voice concerns about threats to peace and stability. Collectively, the UN focuses on measures and collaborative efforts to identify threats to peace among member nations. 

A select group of 15 nations make up the UN Security Council. This body analyzes potential threats to world peace and has the authority to intervene through diplomatic efforts and recommend military action. The council may also undertake investigations of situations that could potentially affect world peace. Five countries hold permanent seats on the council (United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom), where other members rotate on and off. Each of the permanent counsel countries has the power to veto any counsel proposal made to the greater UN body.

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Related Topics

• United Nations
• United Nations Commission on International Trade law
• United Nations Conference on Trade Development
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• International Monetary Fund
• Other Economic Development Organizations
• World Bank
• World Trade Organization
• European Union
• What international courts exist and what are their functions?