Published since 1947, Basic Facts about the United Nations serves as the definitive introduction to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and its family of related institutions and agencies. The volume represents an invaluable tool for diplomats, students, researchers and the general public. Popular with candidates preparing for the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) exam as well as Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ tour guides wanting to bolster their repertoire of knowledge, the book gives a comprehensive overview of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and its activities. While the flagship reference publication Yearbook of the United Nations provides such information on an annual basis from an historical perspective, Basic Facts describes recent significant developments within the Organization and its funds, programmes and specialized agencies.
In the Foreword to the latest edition, Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres, who took office on 1?January 2017, remarks that as Basic Facts provides a window into the work of the Organization, he hopes anyone interested in the United Nations will find it a useful resource, as well as a call to action as we strive to realize the objectives of the Organization's founding Charter.?
The 296-page forty-second edition comprises six chapters: Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ charter, structure and system; international peace and security; economic and social development; human rights; humanitarian action; and international law. It also contains the updated Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system chart and appendices with the list of Member States, past and present peacekeeping operations, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ observances, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ information centres, selected Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ websites, and territories that have achieved independence or self-determination or have become integrated or associated with independent states.
Released for the first time in colour¡ªunderscoring in particular the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs)¡ªBasic Facts chronicles the launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which mark a new course for the Organization towards ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. The SDG icons appear in colour along with a description of the relevant goal. Coverage of SDG?4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong opportunities for all, contains statistics and trends on education, describes the global Education 2030 agenda, and highlights Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ initiatives to promote education, such as the United Nations Academic Initiative. This latest volume of Basic Facts also features an increased number of website links to access current information, including Twitter and Facebook locators for most Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ entities, and the Foreword by new Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres who took office on 1 January 2017.
For free access to the forty-second edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations or to purchase a copy click . Basic Facts about the United Nations, 42nd edition, (xvi + 280 pp., Sales No. E.17.I.2, ISBN: 978-92-1-101350-4, eISBN: 978-92-1-058490-6), can also be ordered from United Nations Publications, PO Box 960, Herndon, Virginia 20172, United States of America, or by e-mail: order@un.org, or website: shop.un.org.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI member institutions may wish to note that translation of this latest edition of Basic Facts into Chinese has already begun with the voluntary assistance of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI member, Shanghai International Studies University. While arrangements are already underway to translate the publication into the other four official languages (Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish), we invite Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAI member institutions interested in providing translation in additional languages or with any other questions or comments to contact Senior Editor Lawri Moore: moore1@un.org or tel. +1-212-963-3854.