United nations how many member states

These, as well as international organizations and non-governmental organizations NGOs can only become United Nations General Assembly observers, allowed to speak, but not vote, in General Assembly meetings. It hasn't still been admitted to the UN as a full member. In a letter dated 10 December , its Permanent Representative informed the Secretary-General that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic would cease to exist on 31 December and that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, as successor States, would apply for membership in the United Nations.

Following the receipt of its application, the Security Council, on 8 January , recommended to the General Assembly that the Czech Republic be admitted to United Nations membership. On 17 May , its name was changed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following a plebiscite on 21 February , the United Arab Republic was established by a union of Egypt and Syria and continued as a single Member. On 13 October , Syria, having resumed its status as an independent State, resumed its separate membership in the United Nations.

Additionally, the UN also protects human rights, delivers humanitarian aid, upholds international law, and promotes sustainable development. The Charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26, , by 50 countries, with Poland being the 51st country, signing on October 15, Since , some of the founding members have been dissolved, and new states have succeeded them, and others have changed their names.

Both are considered non-member states of the United Nations, allow them to participate as permanent observers of the General Assembly, and are provided access to UN documents. Permanent observers of the United Nations often join the United Nations eventually as full members.

This happens when member states recognize their independence and their governments and economies are stable enough to support the initiatives set forth by the UN. The Holy See, known as Vatican City , is the only independent nation to choose not to be a member of the United Nations despite being an independent state since The Holy See does not get to cast a vote in the General Assembly, mostly because the Pope prefers not to directly affect international policy.

The General Assembly added Arabic as an official language in a resolution adopted in Arabic was added as an official language of the Security Council in He has been in office since January The term for a Secretary-General is five years.

Although there is technically no limit to the number of five-year terms the top official and chief administrative officer of the United Nations may serve, no Secretary-General has held office for more than two terms.

At the invitation of the Government of Austria, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization established their headquarters in Vienna in and , respectively.

In the s, the Government provided a permanent residence for those two organizations: the Vienna International Centre VIC , which was officially opened on 23 August More than 4, staff members from over countries work for the organizations based at the VIC.

About one third of those staff members are Austrian nationals. The organizations located at the VIC include:. In , a competition was held in which architects from 50 countries participated.

The design of Johann Staber of Austria was chosen. The outer walls of each of the six Y-shaped towers are concave. Every office has at least three windows and the lifts are at the centre of each tower. Altogether, there are 24, windows in the VIC. Guided tours of the VIC are open to everyone. Multilingual guides from different countries will inform you about the work of the United Nations and the Vienna-based organizations.

During your tour, you will visit exhibitions and usually a conference room and get to know the fascinating world of the United Nations. Tours are available for individuals from Monday to Friday at 11 a. For groups, prior registration is required.