United Nations
The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights. It has 193 member states and is headquartered in New York City, with additional main offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi. The organisation comprises six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General. The Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, with five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) holding veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The UN system includes numerous specialised agencies, funds and programmes covering areas such as health, labour, agriculture, education, finance and development. African nations constitute the largest regional bloc within the General Assembly and play an active role in debates on development, peacekeeping and reform of the Security Council. The organisation's work in Africa includes peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, development programmes and support for regional integration initiatives. The UN collaborates closely with the African Union on peace and security matters, particularly in conflict zones such as the Great Lakes region and the Sahel. Funding comes from assessed contributions from member states and voluntary donations for specific programmes.
United Nations Updates
Strong exploration system essential to mining’s future, Junior Indaba points out
By: Martin Creamer Updated 7 hours ago A strong and vibrant exploration system is essential to the future of the mining sector, and to advancing transformation, inclusion, and long-term... →
Presidency notes ICJ Order on South Africa and Israel case
3rd June 2026 On 21 May 2026, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an Order setting a deadline of 22 November 2027 for South Africa to file its Reply... →
SA: Paul Mashatile: Address by Deputy President, on the conclusion of the first leg of his working visit to India (02/06/2026)
2nd June 2026 During the first leg of our Working Visit, we had high-level bilateral meetings with His Excellency Vice President Chandrapuram... →
Iran war disruption threatening delivery of lifesaving supplies for children, UN says
By: Reuters 2nd June 2026 Surging global transport costs and supply chain disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis are threatening the delivery of lifesaving aid to... →
SAHRC meets police in KZN and the United Nations agencies to address issues linked to recent marches on immigration and related concerns
2nd June 2026 The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has continued its strategic intervention programme following the Virtual Human... →
Mashatile arrives in India for ‘reaffirming’ bilateral visit
By: Reza Creamer 29th May 2026 Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrived in India’s capital of New Delhi, on Friday, for a five-day trip aimed at strengthening the diplomatic and... →
SA: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni: Address by Minister in The Presidency, at the Opening Session of the International Security Forum 2026 on challenges and threats to international security in the context of the emergence of the multipolar world (26/05/2026)
29th May 2026 The emergence of a multipolar world is reshaping the international security landscape. While the diffusion of power creates opportunities for... →
SA: Ronald Lamola: Address by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the International Relations and Cooperation Dept Budget Vote 2026/27, Parliament, Cape town (26/0/2026)
29th May 2026 That victory paved the way for the legislative machinery of apartheid, intensifying racial segregation and stripping most of the people of this... →
Crackdown on Chad’s opposition threatens a return to one-party rule
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 28th May 2026 Rather than learning from Chad’s history of coups and deadly conflicts, current leaders seem determined to repeat the cycle. Just two weeks after... →
UN sends emergency funds and staff to tackle Congo Ebola crisis
By: Reuters 22nd May 2026 The United Nations is releasing around $60-million from an emergency fund to help contain an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and... →
