Annan: HK trade talks secured only limited gains for development
23 Dec '05
2 min read
Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 191 countries.
When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations.
According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes: to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.