Frequently Asked Questions

The Secretary-General is the organization’s top administrator and public face, but the UN is ultimately directed by its 193 Member States. Countries set priorities, approve budgets and make decisions through bodies like the General Assembly and Security Council.

The UN is also much bigger than its headquarters in New York (in fact, about 90% of UN personnel operate in the field). It includes dozens of agencies, funds and programs — each with its own governing structure and budget. Some, like UNICEF and the World Food Programme, were created within the UN system. Others, like the Universal Postal Union, predate the UN itself but became part of the organization because international coordination works better through a common global framework.  

In short: the Secretary-General manages the UN, but Member States govern it. 

Read more about the UN system.

As a permanent member of the Security Council and the largest financial contributor, the U.S. helps shape resolutions, negotiate agreements, elect the Secretary-General and set priorities on issues ranging from sanctions to humanitarian aid. 

Americans also hold well over 5,000 jobs at the organization, including many of the top posts in the most influential agencies in the world, like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The UN Charter doesn’t contain a formal withdrawal process, though countries can choose to stop participating in or funding bodies, which the U.S. has done in the past in regards to UNRWA and the Human Rights Council. In practice, nations stay engaged because the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Read more on the only country that ever (briefly) stepped away. 

The UN Charter allows for the suspension or expulsion of a Member State under certain circumstances, but doing so requires action by the Security Council and the General Assembly and has never happened. Because permanent members of the Security Council can veto such actions, the U.S. would have to agree to any expulsion.  

Countries that fall two or more years behind on their assessed contributions can lose their voting rights in the General Assembly under Article 19 of the UN Charter. While exceptions can be made for countries facing circumstances beyond their control, the provision is intended to encourage all Member States to meet their financial obligations. Chronic nonpayment can create significant budget shortfalls, forcing the UN to delay payments, freeze hiring, scale back programs and limit operations ranging from peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance to health and development initiatives.

In short, when countries do not pay their dues, the UN’s ability to carry out the work Member States have asked it to perform is weakened. 

The UN is designed to be universal, meaning every Member State has a seat at the table, regardless of its political system or human rights record. Many UN bodies operate on a rotating basis, including the Security Council presidency, which means countries such as Russia or China periodically assume leadership roles. These arrangements were established by Member States — including the U.S. — through the UN Charter and subsequent agreements. Other UN bodies elect or appoint their own representatives according to their governing rules.

While universality can be frustrating at times, it reflects the UN’s core mission of bringing all nations together to address shared challenges, and is the basis of the unique role of the UN in the international system.

Bottom line: for countries that want their values and priorities reflected in the organization’s work, continued engagement remains the most effective way to influence outcomes. 

No. UN peacekeeping missions are not a standing UN army. They’re temporary operations established by the Security Council and given specific mandates, such as monitoring ceasefires, protecting civilians, supporting peace agreements or ensuring humanitarian access. While peacekeepers receive standardized, rigorous UN training and operate under UN rules and codes of conduct, the personnel themselves are contributed by Member States. They remain members of their national uniformed forces serving under a UN command structure for the duration of the mission. 

Read more about UN peacekeeping missions.d

Because many of today’s biggest threats to peace and stability don’t stop at national borders. Climate change can fuel resource shortages and displacement. Cyberattacks can disrupt critical infrastructure. Disease outbreaks can spread globally in a matter of days. International communications networks, aviation systems and financial markets all depend on shared rules and cooperation.

While the Security Council often gets the most attention, much of the UN’s work takes place through its technical agencies, which help countries coordinate on these cross-border challenges. By developing common standards, these agencies help reduce risks that can undermine economic stability, national security and international peace. 

Read more about the technical agencies of the UN.

Among the most important principles of the UN Charter is sovereignty.

In practice, that means decisions involving the United Nations ultimately remain in the hands of individual governments. Even treaties negotiated through UN bodies are not legally binding in the U.S. until ratified by the Senate and signed by the President.

More broadly, the UN typically develops frameworks, standards and agreements that countries voluntarily negotiate and adopt, while leaving implementation and enforcement to national governments.

No. The UN does not operate any global abortion program. Multiple UN agencies work on maternal and reproductive health, but no UN organization performs abortions.  

The UN has a range of tools to respond to violations of international law and human rights abuses, including imposing sanctions, authorizing investigations, documenting violations, supporting international justice mechanisms and mobilizing diplomatic pressure.

While it cannot always compel countries or armed groups to change their behavior, it can increase the political, economic and reputational costs of misconduct. Just as importantly, the UN can help coordinate responses among nations and lay the groundwork for future accountability efforts.

Many policymakers view financial leverage as a legitimate way to encourage reform and improve accountability at the UN. Others argue that while targeted pressure can be effective, broad funding cuts often have unintended consequences.

Because influence and investment often go hand in hand, however, when the U.S. reduces its engagement or financial support, it can also reduce its ability to shape decisions, build coalitions and advance reform efforts from within.

Fact is, it’s difficult to steer an institution’s direction when you are stepping back from the table, potentially creating opportunities for other countries to fill the leadership vacuum. 

Specific UN employees have limited legal immunity when performing official duties — a protection designed to allow them to work independently in difficult political and security environments. These protections are a safeguard for UN operations, but immunity does not shield against criminal conduct. In cases involving serious wrongdoing, the UN can and does waive immunity, conduct investigations, terminate employees and cooperate with national authorities.

Learn more about the UN’s immunities and privileges.