The United Nations Headquarters, New York

If you ever have the chance to go to New York City, don’t pass up the opportunity to tour the United Nations Headquarters.

In 1945, 51 countries joined together to form the United Nations. Today, virtually every country in the World is a member.

The front courtyard of the UN Complex, flying the Colours of the World – flags of member nations
In the distance is the Chrysler Building, my favourite skyscraper in NYC

New York was chosen as the headquarters for the newly formed UN. A site formerly occupied by a slaughterhouse was obtained on the banks of the East River in Manhattan using money donated by John D. Rockefeller.

The United Nations Headquarters as seen from New York’s East River

As it is often referred to as the UN Building, it is unsurprising that most people believe the 39-storey Secretariat Building is the UN HQ.

Over 16,000 people from all over the World work in the United Nations Secretariat Building

However, it is actually just one building in a large complex of structures covering an area of 18 acres. That said, the Secretariat Building is where the day-to-day running of the UN takes place.

Gardens within the UN Complex, including a piece of the Berlin Wall

The primary goal of the United Nations is ‘to maintain international peace and security’, but it does a whole lot more besides. According to it’s charter the UN’s other aims include ‘developing friendly relations among nations’, ‘achieving international co-operation in solving international problems’ and ‘being a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations’.

Display on one of the UN’s global projects

To achieve these aims, the United Nations has three Councils and a General Assembly. Sadly, during our tour in 2013, the General Assembly Building was closed for renovations, but we were able to visit the Chambers of the three Councils.

The General Assembly Chamber may have been closed…

…But the chambers of the Economic and Social Council…

…The Trusteeship Council…

…And the Security Council, were still really interesting

Our tour of the UN complex was absolutely fascinating, which I can’t recommend highly enough. Personally, I can’t wait to return one day to see the General Assembly Chamber, where so many important and historic events have taken place.

The United Nations’ latest peace keeper

This post was inspired by the photo themes of Indoor Seating from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and One Love from Anne of The Daily Post.

Mural inside the UN

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