The headquarters of the United Nations (UN) is a very tall building that stands on First Avenue, on the east side of Manhattan. Although it is located in the heart of New York, the UN is considered to be an independent territory.
The UN in New York is an international organisation that was created on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco, in the aftermath of the Second World War. It replaced the former League of Nations, whose inability to prevent 2 world wars sealed its fate.
The UN’s mission is to maintain peace and security in the world. To achieve this, it fosters friendly relations between nations, develops cooperation between states and ensures that the borders of each state are respected.
The history of the UN in New York
The UN headquarters was inaugurated on 9 January 1951. It stands on the banks of the East River. The 3 buildings that make up this organisation are a 39-storey tower that houses the United Nations Secretariat, the General Assembly Building and the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
The UN was built by 11 different architects. These include the American Walace Harrison, the Brazilian Oscar Niemeyer and the French Le Corbusier. The work was carried out thanks to a donation from John Davison Rockefeller Jr.
Inside, in the areas open to the public, visitors can admire other works. The best known are Foucault’s pendulum (1955), the Japanese Peace Bell (1958), the sculpture “From our swords, let us forge hoyaux” by the Russian Evgeny Vutchétich (1959), the Peace Stained Glass Window by Marc Chagall (1964), and the bronze sculpture “Non-violence” by the Swedish Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, which represents a revolver with a knotted barrel (1988).
To achieve its mission, the UN relies on specialised bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), based in Geneva (Switzerland), the International Court of Justice, based in The Hague (Netherlands), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), based in Paris (France), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna (Austria), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), based in Montreal (Canada).
To ensure that it functions properly, the UN has various structures, including the General Assembly of Member States, the General Secretariat, the Trusteeship Council and the Security Council.
Visiting the UN in New York
When you plan to visit the United Nations headquarters in New York, there are a few arrival and security procedures you should be aware of.
Arrival procedures
All visitors aged 18 and over (and unaccompanied children aged 12 and over) must present valid photo identification issued by a UN Member State or non-Member Observer State to enter UN Headquarters. The identity document must be original (no photographs or photocopies accepted):
- Passport
- Driving licence
- National identity card
- IDNYC card
All visitors to the UN headquarters require a UN security pass to enter the UN building. This security pass must be obtained from the visitors’ registration office.
If you have already purchased your ticket for a guided tour online, be sure to bring a paper copy of your ticket confirmation, the e-ticket visible on your mobile phone or a screenshot of the ticket to show at the visitor registration desk in the General Assembly Hall.
Visitors without a ticket reservation are allowed. Start your visit at the visitors’ registration desk (801 1st Avenue at 45th Street, opposite the UN visitors’ entrance). Plan to arrive 60 minutes before your visit. After receiving your security pass/wristband, cross the street to the UN Visitors Entrance (46th Street and 1st Avenue) for the security check and access to UN Headquarters.
Security check
All visitors to the UN headquarters must pass through a security check (as at the airport), after the check please proceed to the General Assembly building and walk to the cash desk at the back of the lobby to register for your visit before visiting the exhibitions or browsing the shops and café in the lower concierge area.
The following items are strictly prohibited:
- All liquids, including water
- Cans and bottles
- Food or drink
- Backpacks and bags over 14″ (35 cm) wide x 13″ (33 cm) high x 4″ (10 cm) deep
- Scooters, skateboards, bicycles
- Aerosol containers and non-aerosol sprays (medical prescriptions are permitted)
- Any sharp object other than pens and pencils (i.e. knives, knitting needles, letter openers, razors, etc.)
- Stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
- Firearms, replica firearms, ammunition, fireworks, mustard gas or pepper spray
Standard guided tour
Visit the United Nations in the heart of New York City! A one-hour guided tour offers an exciting opportunity to discover the UN headquarters. A multilingual tour guide will take visitors on a journey through the corridors of international diplomacy. They will learn more about the history and work of the United Nations and visit the famous halls:
General Assembly Hall: This is one of the most recognisable rooms at UN headquarters. It houses the General Assembly, where all the Member States meet to discuss and vote on important issues.
Security Council Chamber: This is where the United Nations Security Council meets, a body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The room is known for its large round table and the seats reserved for the five permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China) and the ten non-permanent members.
ECOSOC Room (Economic and Social Council): This room is used for meetings of the Economic and Social Council, which deals with economic, social and environmental issues.
International Court of Justice Room: The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is based at the Peace Palace in The Hague, but also has a room at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Guided tour in English
A guided tour lasts approximately one hour. Tours are offered in the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish), as well as in additional languages that are in great demand. It is essential to book your guided tour in English in advance. The UN can offer up to 4 tours a day during the holidays, but they are quickly booked up. Outside the holidays, a daily slot is available.
The United Nations headquarters is accessible to people with disabilities or reduced mobility. It is possible to request the use of a wheelchair when checking in.
Prices and payment
Individual tickets
Prices for individual tickets to take part in the guided tours in person at UN headquarters are as follows:
- Adult: $26.00
- Student (aged 13 and over with student card): $18.00
- Senior (60 and over): $18.00
- Children (aged 5 to 12): $15.00
A 6% reservation fee will be charged.
How do I get to UN headquarters in New York?
To get to the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, located at 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017, in the United States, several transport options are available:
Métro
It is often the quickest and cheapest way to get around the city. The nearest metro station is Grand Central-42nd Street, served by lines 4, 5, 6, 7 and S. From the station, the UN headquarters are a short walk to the east.
Bus
Several bus routes stop close to the UN, offering a good alternative to the metro. Lines M42 and M15 are among the most convenient, stopping close to headquarters.
What can you visit near the UN headquarters?
Grand Central Terminal : Just a stone’s throw from the UN, this historic station is famous for its impressive architecture and is home to a variety of shops, restaurants and exhibitions.
Chrysler Building : one of New York’s most iconic skyscrapers, known for its Art Deco architecture, is also close to the UN.
East River Waterfront Esplanade : For a leisurely stroll or jog, this promenade offers magnificent views of the East River.
