9/13/2026
The United Nations (UN) works on international peace and security, human rights, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, climate action and international law. Its work is carried out not only by the UN Secretariat but also through a much larger UN system that includes funds, programmes, specialized agencies and related organizations.
The United Nations identifies five broad areas of work.
1. Maintaining international peace and security
One of the UN's most important responsibilities is helping prevent and resolve conflicts. The Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security. UN peacekeeping operations can help countries implement peace agreements, protect civilians and support political transitions.
The UN also supports conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and diplomatic negotiations.
2. Protecting human rights
The UN promotes and protects human rights through international treaties, institutions, monitoring mechanisms and global standards.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and later international human rights treaties established important international principles concerning equality, freedom, dignity and protection from discrimination.
UN bodies and specialized organizations work on issues including children's rights, women's rights, refugees, disability rights and freedom from discrimination.
3. Providing humanitarian assistance
The UN responds to emergencies caused by armed conflict, natural disasters, displacement, food insecurity and other humanitarian crises.
Organizations within the UN system provide food, shelter, health services, clean water, protection and other forms of assistance. For example, UNICEF focuses strongly on children, while the World Food Programme provides food assistance and other forms of humanitarian support.
Humanitarian work is particularly important in countries affected by war, famine, displacement or major natural disasters.
4. Supporting sustainable development
The UN plays a major role in international development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework covering issues such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, decent work, climate action and sustainable cities.
UN agencies and programmes help governments design policies, strengthen institutions, collect data and implement development programmes.
UNDP, for example, works in nearly 170 countries and territories on poverty reduction, governance, resilience and sustainable development.
5. Supporting international law
The United Nations also contributes to the development and implementation of international law. The International Court of Justice, one of the six principal organs of the UN, deals with legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions.
The UN Charter itself is the organization's founding treaty and establishes important principles governing international relations.
Not exactly. This is an important distinction when researching what type of work the UN does.
The UN system includes the UN Secretariat, funds and programmes such as UNDP and UNICEF, and specialized agencies such as WHO, FAO, UNESCO and ILO. These organizations have their own mandates, leadership structures and budgets, although they cooperate closely with the United Nations.
The UN provides a framework through which countries can cooperate on problems that cannot easily be solved by individual governments. Climate change, international conflicts, pandemics, migration, poverty and humanitarian crises frequently cross national borders.
The UN works across peace and security, human rights, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and international law. Its wider system includes many specialized organizations and programmes that focus on specific areas such as health, children, food, labour, development and education.
United Nations – Our Work
United Nations – UN System
United Nations – About Us
United Nations – Family of Organizations
Unchannel - 9/13/2026