World organisations · Updated September 2026
United Nations facts
United Nations facts: 193 members, HQ in New York, six official languages, six principal organs. What the UN can and cannot do.
The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II. In 2026 it has 193 member states. Headquarters are in New York City, with major offices in Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna.
Six official languages are used: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The six principal organs are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
The UN cannot tax countries or send a standing army of its own. Peacekeepers are borrowed from members. Resolutions matter most when powerful states agree — which is why the Security Council veto is the page people open next.
United Nations facts — key facts (2026)
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Founded | 24 October 1945 (UN Day) |
| Members (2026) | 193 |
| Observers | Holy See and State of Palestine |
| Headquarters | New York, USA |
| Official languages | 6 — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish |
| Secretary-General (2026) | António Guterres (term running through 2026) |
| ICJ seat | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Newest member | South Sudan (2011) |
Figures are the usual classroom and news-desk numbers for 2026. Border disputes and membership votes can change a count by one or two.
People also ask
How many countries are in the UN?
193 members. Two observer states sit in the General Assembly but cannot vote as members.
Where is the UN headquarters?
New York City. The land is international territory used by the UN, inside the United States.
What does the UN Secretary-General do?
Leads the Secretariat, speaks for the organisation, and can bring threats to peace to the Security Council. The role is diplomatic, not a world president.