The United Nations is an international organisation central to global efforts to solve problems which challenge humanity. More than 30 affiliated organisations, cooperating together, constitute the UN system.

The UN and its family of organisations work together to promote respect for human rights, protect the environment, fight disease, foster sustainable development and reduce poverty.

UN agencies define the standards for safe and efficient transport by air and sea, help improve telecommunications and enhance consumer protection, work to ensure respect for intellectual property rights and coordinate allocation of radio frequencies.

The United Nations leads the international campaigns against drug trafficking and terrorism.

Throughout the world, the UN and its agencies assist refugees and set up programmes to clear landmines, help improve the quality of drinking water and expand food production, make loans to developing countries and help stabilise financial markets.


More information is available from the United Nations website and the United Nations News Service.


UN CALENDAR Current International Decades and Years

International Heliophysical Year 2007

International Polar Year 2007

International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)

United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012)

Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001-2010)

Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa (2001-2010)

International Decade for Action: Water for Life (2005-2015)

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005- 2014)

Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (2005-2014)

Upcoming

United Nations International Year of Planet Earth 2008

International Year of the Potato 2008