This photo shows the interior of the United Nations building with the photos of the Secretary Generals. The most recent were Kofi Annan of Ghana (1997-now), the 7th Secretary General of the United Nations and Boutrous Boutrous Ghali (1992-1997). Previous leaders came from Norway, Sweden, Burma, Austria, Peru, and Egypt. The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 with 51 original members. Today it has 191 member nations.
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.