In order to answer the question of why the flags of almost all existing world states are waving in front of the UN building, it is important to understand what this organization is.
The history of the UN
Even before the end of World War II, the leaders of the countries united in the anti-Hitler coalition set the task of creating an interstate organization whose goal would be to ensure peace and resolve international conflicts. The main founders of the UN are 50 countries that at that time took part in the war against Germany, Japan and their allies.
The principles that guide the organization are also the basis of universal law - this is the sovereignty and equality of all participating countries that are recognized by the international community, and the prohibition of resorting to force or threats in order to resolve any international disputes. International cooperation standards explain why flags from around the world are waving in front of the UN building.
What functions does it perform?
The UN is a structure that essentially replaced the League of Nations, which did not fulfill its tasks and was abolished in 1946. Although it was created by the states that won the Second World War, subsequently all states, including Germany and Japan, as well as the newly formed territories that arose as a result of decolonization, were able to join the union.
The UN obliges its members to resolve all kinds of disputes, both interstate and domestic, at the diplomatic level, through negotiations. In addition to the recommendations and resolutions issued by the General Assembly, in the event of a serious threat to peace, the association is able to take measures to prevent and resolve conflicts.
In order to avoid manipulation by certain blocks of states, a Security Council has been created in the organization, in which a vote is taken on certain decisions. The UN Security Council consists of five permanent representatives - this is Russia, to which this right has passed as the successor to the USSR, China, the USA, France and Great Britain. Also, once every two years, the General Assembly elects six non-permanent members to the Security Council, which allows other countries of the association to also participate in the adoption of particularly important decisions.
Beyond Securing World Peace
The competence of the organization includes not only ensuring peace on the planet, the association also deals with other issues related to international cooperation in the social, humanitarian and economic fields. A number of interstate institutions have the status of specialized organizations that are guided by the basic principles of the UN.
UNESCO, WHO, IMF, WTO, WOT, WIPO, IAEA - this is not a complete list of organizations that are part of the UN common system, but even from this list it is clear how closely international cooperation is developed within the organization - that's why flags are waving in front of the UN building all participating States.
UN countries
Today in the world there are 194 independent states, of which 193 are permanent members of the association. In addition, the organization presents and has a special status of observer countries, the independent state of the Holy See (Vatican) and Palestine, which is de jure independent, but only partially recognized, which prevents it from becoming a full member of the association.
The tallest UN building is a 39-story skyscraper, and the organization itself, of course, is the largest interstate institution. This is an independent structure, whose headquarters is located in New York, but at the same time its territory does not belong to the United States and has international status. Why are the flags of all the states of the world waving in front of the UN building? Because the UN is our common effort to achieve peace and prosperity.