Achieving Diversity
UN System
United Nations Secretariat’s workforce is an organizational imperative which spans over a broad array of characteristics, reflecting equitable geographical distribution and gender balance as well as generational and multilingual perspectives and the perspectives of persons with disabilities.This is not only by mandates but also owing to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The complexity of the global United Nations presence and mandates must be matched by a diverse, geographically balanced, gender balanced, international and multitalented workforce that serves as a role model for the communities it serves. At the core of our ability to deliver on our mandates are the thousands of personnel who serve the United Nations with pride and dedication
Our work touches lives in every corner of the globe and our daily operations are complex, multifaceted and extended directly and indirectly to our 193 Members States.
The United Nations Secretariat which commenced operations in early 1946 was staffed with a mere 300 people working primarily for the Preparatory Commission and engaged in providing conference services for a fledgling world body that was beginning to chart a course to positively change the world. From that nucleus, it expanded within six months to about 3,000 employees. Three years later, in October 1949, the cornerstone was laid for what would evolve into the Organization’s sprawling Headquarters in midtown Manhattan in New York.
Today, the United Nations has evolved beyond the conference management services it provided in its early days and is now actively on the ground around the globe seeking solutions to the three thematic areas outlined in its Charter: peace and security; the protection and promotion of human rights; and human development. Since 1946 the Organization has gradually transformed itself into a global Secretariat with a workforce that now numbers some 36,000 staff, 9,000 interns, consultants and other experts, about 69,000 troops and 8,000 police personnel.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 and committed to maintaining international peace and security; developing friendly relations among nations; promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization takes action on a wide range of issues and provides a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.
The work of the United Nations touches every corner of the globe and focuses on a broad range of fundamental issues, like sustainable development, protection of the environment and refugees, disaster relief and mitigation, counter terrorism, as well as disarmament and non-proliferation.
The UN Family of Organizations
The United Nations family of organizations consists of the United Nations Secretariat, the Funds and Programmes such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the specialized agencies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as other related organizations.
The Funds and Programmes are subsidiary bodies of the General Assembly. The specialized agencies are linked to the United Nations through special agreements and report to the Economic and Social Council and/or the General Assembly.
United Nations Secretariat
The Secretariat carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the Organization. It services the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programmes and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for five-years, with the option of one renewable term. The duties carried out by the Secretariat are as varied as the problems dealt with by the United Nations. These range from administering peacekeeping operations to mediating international disputes; from surveying socio-economic trends as well as problems to preparing studies on human rights and sustainable development. Secretariat staff members also inform the world’s media about the work of the Organization; organize international conferences on issues of worldwide concern; and interpret speeches as well as translate documents into the Organization’s six official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.