A woman sows rice by hand, scattering the grains across a field.
UN Women, Agriculture and Food

Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature

Rural women feed communities, sustain livelihoods, and safeguard natural resources, yet their rights, resources and decision-making power fall short of their contributions. Under the theme “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature”, this International Day of Rural Women (15 October) celebrates their work conserving seeds, protecting biodiversity, managing water and restoring land. In the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the day calls for direct investment in rural women, equal rights and resources, and greater leadership in shaping agricultural and environmental policies.

Rural Women´s rights, resources and power must match their contributions to food systems, land, water, and biodiversity.
Photo:© FAO/Ivan Barros
A woman and a young child sit on a bed in a simple room. The woman, wearing a patterned dress and headwrap, looks at the camera while holding the child, who is resting against her.

DR Congo: Cholera cases spike amid fight against Ebola

14 October 2026 — The cholera epidemic continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 125,000 suspected cases and 3,644 suspected deaths were recorded between...

A man carries a large white United Nations World Food Programme sack on his shoulder outside an aid facility in Yemen while people queue near a banner for emergency assistance to displaced populations.

Yemen: WFP warns of potential ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ as fighting blocks aid delivery

14 October 2026 — Intensifying fighting in Yemen has cut off life-saving assistance to 800,000 people as shifting frontlines, blocked roads and growing insecurity severely restrict access to the...

A young woman in a hijab focuses on an accounting software program on her laptop during a training session at a UNICEF-supported center in Jaramana, Damascus, Syria, aimed at improving employment opportunities for youth.

800 million young people face a future without jobs

13 October 2026 — Approximately 800 million young people entering the labour market in developing economies over the coming years will not find jobs unless countries act, the head of the UN...

UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 Goals to transform our world

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

hands holding megaphone and speech bubble

ActNow Campaign

The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Find new inspiring actions on the app and at un.org/actnow.

Act Now for a Peaceful World

Today, half the world is under 30, and this generation is a powerful force for peace. The UN "Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World" campaign, launched on the International Day of Peace, aims to include, invest in, and partner with young people to build lasting peace. 

outline of a drop over a blue background

2026 UN Water Conference

Coming up in December! The 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and the Republic of Senegal, takes place 8 to 10 December in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Conference is an opportunity to strengthen investment, foster innovation, and galvanize political will to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Goal of the month

 

Goal 15: Life on Land

Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

More about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More from the
United Nations

Featured stories from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A woman walking in the street with devastated buildings in the background. OHCHR

After 14 years of war, Syrians seek truth and justice

For more than a decade, Samah Almardini has searched for answers about her missing brother. Her story reflects the anguish of thousands of Syrian families seeking justice after 14 years of conflict that displaced more than 13 million people. As Syria begins rebuilding, survivors are demanding accountability, answers about the disappeared and support for former detainees. With UN Human Rights assistance, new national institutions are advancing Syrian-led transitional justice efforts, including investigations and trials. But lasting peace requires more than rebuilding homes: it means confronting past abuses, restoring dignity and ensuring they never happen again.

A teacher in a classroom writing on the chalkboard. UNDP, Ending Poverty

Global poverty rises for the first time in 16 years

For millions of families, poverty means more than a lack of income. It means going without food, clean water, electricity or education — often all at once. The 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index reveals that nearly 1.2 billion people face overlapping hardships, with children accounting for almost half. For the first time in 16 years, global multidimensional poverty is rising. Yet progress is possible: 33 countries have halved their poverty index values in less than 15 years. The United Nations Development Programme calls for urgent action to reverse setbacks and ensure a life of dignity for all.

A man is looking at a solar panel inside a house. World Bank, Economic Development

Turning development into jobs and opportunity

A young person finding their first job. A small business expanding. A farmer protecting their livelihood from drought. These are the real measures of development. The World Bank Group’s latest Scorecard highlights how investments in education, healthcare, electricity and financial services are helping create opportunities worldwide. From renewable energy in Uzbekistan to small business financing in Ecuador, progress is taking shape. Yet shrinking aid budgets, rising debt and climate shocks threaten these gains. The challenge now is to turn institutional reforms into more and better-paid jobs, especially for those most at risk of being left behind.

Two young girls holding each other.
SDG 4: Quality Education, UNESCO

Advancing girls’ education

UNESCO’s community of practice empowers education professionals across Africa to tackle gender inequalities, strengthen policies and expand girls’ access to quality education.

A mother with her children sitting on the ground looking at a phone.
Displaced Persons and Refugees, IOM

Gaza’s mothers carry on

Displaced mother Sumoud struggles to raise six children alone after losing her husband, amid ongoing violence, repeated displacement and severe humanitarian hardship in Gaza.

Two workmen standing on top of a building looking out at the horizon.
Trade and Commerce, UNCTAD

Geoeconomics reshapes global trade

UNCTAD projects global growth to slow to 2.6% in 2026, urging developing economies to diversify trade, strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate renewable energy adoption.

A driver speeds past flames burning alongside a road in frontline Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.
Crisis and emergency response, WFP

Aid convoys under fire

WFP drivers in Ukraine risk deadly drone attacks to deliver life-saving aid to frontline communities, with 120 security incidents recorded since 2023.

What we do

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, including:

A UNIFIL peacekeeper from Spain on a regular patrol in the vicinity of Al Wazzani, south-eastern Lebanon as the sun sets in the horizon. Since 1948, more than a million women and men have served as UN peacekeepers.

Maintain International Peace and Security

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.

Students at Butkhak High School in Kabul, Afghanistan, cheer in unison on the last day of Global Action Week, an international campaign advocating free, quality education for all.

Protect Human Rights

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.  Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.

A child has a meal at a food distribution centre in the Rwanda camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), near Tawila, North Darfur. More than 8,000 women and children living in the camp benefit from nutrition programmes run by the World Food Programme

Deliver Humanitarian Aid

One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."  The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.  The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.

Grace, a farmer from Kipilat village, and a leading member of the forest community in Ainabkoi, Kenya, planting a tree in 2012.

Promote Sustainable Development

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”  Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN. The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have agreed that sustainable development offers the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures filed by Nicaragua on 11 October 2013 in the case concerning Construction of a Road in Costa Rica along the San Juan River.

Uphold International Law

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained."  Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the Organization.  This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.  These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty.  As such, it 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.

Structure of the
United Nations

The main parts of the UN structure are the General Assembly, the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.

Security Council

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

Economic and Social Council

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.

Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America).

Secretariat

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization's other principal organs.

More about the structure of the United Nations

Learn more

Podium of the General Assembly Hall seen from below with the gold wall and the golden UN logo behind

Selecting the next Secretary-General

The United Nations process to appoint the next Secretary‑General continues with interactive dialogues guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity. Watch the dialogues with the candidates: Ivonne A-Baki (20 August), Michelle Bachelet Jeria (21 April), María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (15 June), Rafael Mariano Grossi (21 April), Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (22 April), Olara Otunnu (19 August), Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (18 June) and Macky Sall (22 April).

 

A group of people carrying their few belongings, walking in front of buildings in ruins, at sunset.

The Spotlight series

This series shines a light on communities facing conflict, displacement, public health emergencies and other humanitarian challenges around the world. Drawing on reporting from across the UN system, it amplifies voices from countries including Haiti, Gaza, DR Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan and Myanmar, to foster understanding, encourage engagement, and help mobilize support, assistance, and protection for the most vulnerable people.

Climate Change

Climate Change is one of the defining issues of our time and we are at a pivotal moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Taking decisive action today will make adapting to these impacts in the future more effective and less costly.

General Assembly hall with the Secretary-General at the podium

The Essential UN

The United Nations is the only place on Earth where all the world's nations come together to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. Learn about the main areas of the UN’s activities; how it makes a difference to the world’s people; and how every citizen can get involved and make a contribution. 

Watch and Listen

Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

We can be the generation to eliminate cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is preventable and curable when detected early, yet it claimed nearly 350,000 women’s lives worldwide in 2022, with 94% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO’s 90–70–90 strategy aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem through HPV vaccination, regular screening, and effective treatment by 2030.

Soil science tackles El Niño drought

Through FAO’s SoilFER programme, soil analysis and fertility mapping help farmers in Guatemala and Honduras improve crop productivity, soil health and resilience to drought.

Legal aid for equal justice

Legal aid ensures equal access to justice, protects vulnerable people’s rights, prevents wrongful convictions, and promotes fairness and accountability within the criminal justice system.

UN Podcasts

A golden copyright symbol near silver notes.

Intellectual property and the music industry

Who owns the music we love—and how can musicians protect their work? In WIPOD – Page Points, a podcast from the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Knowledge Center, author Hayleigh Bosher explores her book Copyright in the Music Industry: A Practical Guide to Exploiting and Enforcing Rights, explaining why copyright matters for musicians and how digital technologies and policy changes are reshaping the industry.

Latest Audio from UN News

The United Nations in Pictures

Images from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A rack of bikes in a community-driven green enterprise designed to integrate biodiversity conservation, sustainable ecotourism, and youth employment.
Photo:UNDP/Boo Mountain Bike Park

Blazing new trails for nature and opportunity in Armenia

Emma Petrosyan almost gave up on her dream of turning cycling into a force for nature conservation in Armenia. Instead, with support from a UNDP-implemented programme, she created the country's first mountain bike park in Vanadzor, transforming degraded forests into trails for ecotourism and environmental education. Since opening in 2023, Boo Mountain Bike Park has welcomed more than 45,000 visitors, creating jobs for young people while protecting biodiversity. Her journey shows how one woman's determination, backed by international support, can turn a local idea into a model for sustainable development.

A group of women singing and clapping hands in the Gambia’s West Coast Region.
Photo:© UNFPA

Protecting childhood, one girl at a time

Married at 16, Fatou Bah was determined her daughters would have a different future. Today, she helps protect other girls from child marriage in The Gambia. Through United Nations Population Fund-supported initiatives, mothers’ clubs, religious leaders and community advocates are challenging harmful traditions, keeping girls in school and defending their right to choose their future. With thousands of girls still at risk, their message is clear: “Marriage should never be the reason her childhood ends.”

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