Members of the United Nations

Members of the United Nations
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Name	United Nations membership
Caption	Emblem of the United Nations
Established	24 October 1945
Members	193 member states (2026)

Members of the United Nations The membership of the United Nations comprises sovereign states recognized as full participants in the organization's activities and organs, including the General Assembly and the Security Council. Membership, grounded in the Charter of the United Nations, reflects post‑World War II decolonization, Cold War diplomacy, and subsequent state succession involving actors such as United Kingdom, France, United States, Soviet Union, China, and emerging states like South Sudan. The composition affects interactions among entities such as European Union, African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and multilateral accords like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions.

Membership criteria

Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations sets criteria: membership is open to all "peace‑loving states" that accept Charter obligations and are able and willing to carry them out. Determinations often reference recognition by states like United States, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China, Japan, and India and consideration of territorial integrity issues involving Kosovo, Palestine, Western Sahara, Taiwan, and Nagorno‑Karabakh. Legal tests draw on precedents from disputes adjudicated by the International Court of Justice and interpretive guidance from the International Law Commission, citing treaties such as the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States and state practice involving the Holy See and Order of Malta.

Admission process

Admission requires a recommendation by the Security Council and approval by a two‑thirds majority in the General Assembly. The Security Council procedure includes a Chapter VII or Chapter VI framing when peace and security issues arise, and permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China) may exercise veto. Historical admissions demonstrate interplay with diplomacy exemplified by the simultaneous admission of Gabon and Cameroon or the negotiated entry of Germany and Japan post‑World War II. Contested applications have invoked resolutions from the General Assembly and targeted deliberations influenced by blocs like the Non‑Aligned Movement and organizations such as Organization of American States.

List of member states

As of 2026, the UN has 193 member states spanning regional groups: the African Group, Asia‑Pacific Group, Eastern European Group, Latin American and Caribbean Group, and Western European and Others Group. Notable entries include founding members such as China (initially represented by the Republic of China), Soviet Union (succeeded by Russian Federation), and post‑colonial entrants such as India, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Later accessions include South Sudan (2011). The roster reflects complex cases of statehood and recognition involving Kosovo, Taiwan, Northern Cyprus, and entities emerging from dissolution like Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia where successor state claims were adjudicated through practice and bilateral recognition among states including Germany and Italy.

Rights and obligations

Member states possess equal sovereignty in the General Assembly with voting rights subject to majority rules for important questions requiring two‑thirds majorities, invoking precedents from resolutions on Palestine and sanctions regimes related to Iraq and Libya. Security responsibilities include compliance with Security Council decisions under Chapter VII, cooperation with organs such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization, and adherence to treaty regimes like the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Rights include nomination to UN offices, election to subsidiary bodies such as the Economic and Social Council, and participation in special sessions convened by actors like the Secretary‑General or coalitions such as the Group of 77.

Suspension and expulsion

The Charter grants the General Assembly authority, upon recommendation by the Security Council, to suspend or expel members for persistent violation of Charter principles. Historic measures include suspension actions related to South Africa during apartheid and procedural considerations during admissions and sanctions against states such as Iraq in the 1990s. Expulsion remains an extraordinary remedy, constrained by political realities and precedents set by debates in the Security Council and votes in the General Assembly, where influential states like United Kingdom, United States, France, and regional coalitions shape outcomes.

Specialized membership categories and observers

Beyond full members, the UN recognizes observer states and entities with participation privileges but without voting in the General Assembly. The Holy See and the State of Palestine hold observer state status; supranational organizations like the European Union possess enhanced observer rights. Specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations such as the World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, International Labour Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization engage via agreements, while entities like the International Committee of the Red Cross and non‑state actors obtain consultative status with bodies including the Economic and Social Council. These categories reflect diplomatic accommodation of actors including Vatican City State, Kosovo* in some forums, and regional organizations such as the African Union.

Category:United Nations