( also the United Nations Organization ) ( abbrs the UN , UNO )
an international organization, based in New York, which aims to preserve peace around the world and solve international problems. It was formed in 1945, and replaced the League of Nations. Most of the world’s independent states are members, and each has one vote in the General Assembly . The United Nations Security Council has the power to take military or economic action to settle international disputes. Other branches of the United Nations include the World Bank, the International Court of Justice in The Netherlands, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Secretary General of the United Nations is Kofi Annan.