EU-UN relations: UN Info

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote. The UNGA also makes key decisions for the UN, including:
- appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council
- electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council
- approving the UN budget

All members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to member states, only the Security Council has the power to make decisions that member states are then obligated to implement under the Charter. It gives primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council, which may meet whenever peace is threatened.
Includes the programme of work, decisions and outcomes, meetings and documents, information on sanctions and research tools.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. Includes information on the Court, the Registry, cases, jurisdiction, press, basic documents and publications.

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals. It serves as the central mechanism for activities of the UN system and its specialized agencies in the economic, social and environmental fields, supervising subsidiary and expert bodies.

The Trusteeship Council, one of the main organs of the UN, was established to supervise the administration of trust territories as they transitioned from colonies to sovereign nations. The Council suspended its activities in 1994, when Palau, the last of the original 11 trust territories, gained its independence.

The secretariat is the UN's executive arm. It has an important role in setting the agenda for the deliberative and decision-making bodies of the UN, and the implementation of the decision of these bodies.

The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations. It was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.

The United Nations can take action on a wide variety of issues due to its unique international character and the powers vested in its Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As such, the UN Charter is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it. The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

Since the UN's founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organization have been guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter, which has been amended three times in 1963, 1965, and 1973.

The UN in Brussels works together to present a unified voice to the EU and the Belgian Government. The team, supported by the UN Coordination Office, works to build understanding and support for UN system activities and global agendas such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, both within the EU institutions and amongst a wider public in Europe.

The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) are working together in most countries around the world, promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human rights, and humanitarian action. The EU is committed to multilateralism with a strong United Nations at its core. In view of multiple crises and large-scale challenges affecting sustainable development, a solid partnership between the UN and the EU is more important than ever. This document contains basic information on how the UN-EU relations function, examples of engagements and the priorities for 2024.

The week ahead at the United Nations in Brussels/Belgium.

The Brussels Office promotes and facilitates cooperation between UNEP and key EU Institutions, stakeholders and major groups on relevant political processes such as the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the regional environment ministerial fora and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

The UN/UNDP office in Brussels maintains, nurtures and develops the partnership between the UN and the institutions of the European Union. The Director of the UN/UNDP Office in Brussels is designated by the United Nations Secretary-General as his representative in Brussels and is also accredited to the Government of Belgium.

The IOM Regional Office for the EEA, the European Union and NATO (RO Brussels) supports policies, programmes and operations that pursue the well-being of migrants and societies through a rights-based approach to the governance of human mobility, to, from and within the region, which is coherent, holistic and balanced. The Regional Office acts as IOM’s liaison and coordination office to the European Union (EU) and NATO and other key Brussels-based stakeholders.

The European Union (EU) and UNDP are natural partners, sharing the same values and objectives for advancing peace and security, human rights and development. We are both committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to supporting countries’ progress and investing in their efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and build prosperity for all.