Celebrate World UN Day on October 24th by planning to visit one of many destinations around the world associated with the international organization. Here is a partial list –
Founded in 1945, just after the Second World War, The United Nations (UN) aims to provide a platform for dialogue between countries, preventing conflict between nations and generally being the world’s peacekeepers.
Now comprising 192 representatives from nearly every sovereign state, the UN is made up of a large number of administrative bodies including The World Health Organization, The World Food Programme and of course, everyone’s favorite, The World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva. And UNESCO, which helps protect the cultural heritage of sites around the wold.
Note – Expect to find airport-level security when you visit a UN destination, so be sure to have a government issued photo ID with you, such as a driver’s license or your passport.
UN Headquarters, New York City
Visit the UN building in New York for an overview of the history and structure of the organization.
My hometown has been home to UN headquarters since 1952, including welcoming dozens of presidents and prime ministers every September to speak at the UN General Assembly.
There also are many Permanent Missions and Observers to the UN, including the diplomatic officials and staff in the area around the headquarters, in NYC’s Midtown East area.
There are FREE tours including artwork donated by member states, and a tour of The General Assembly Hall.
- Visitors must register in advance. Click here to register.
- There also are virtual tours for those not visiting in person.
Palais des Nations, Geneva
This is the UN’s European headquarters. Around 100,000 visitors a year take the one hour tour of the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Tours can be arranged in any of fifteen languages and guests can see the Assembly Hall as well as the Council Chamber with its impressive collection of murals.
- Information about upcoming tours are released on the 20th of each month.
UN Complex, Nairobi, Kenya
The UN complex in Nairobi is its headquarters in Africa, and the largest UN compound in the world, covering 56 hectares (140 acres). In addition to offices, there are miles of nature trails for employees and visitors to enjoy.
600 indigenous African trees are planted in the area and it is renowned for attracting exotic bird life, making it the best UN complex for avid twitchers to visit.
- Tours are Monday-Friday, except for UN holidays. Click here for more information,
UN Vienna, Austria
The Austrian capital is home to several UN organizations including the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Their headquarters offer guided tours to visitors where you can see exhibitions, conference rooms and discover more about the UN’s work in fields of drugs and crime, outer space and peaceful uses for nuclear energy.
- Tours are available in twelve languages and lectures can be arranged for groups of twenty or more. Click here for more information.
International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands
The judicial arm of the UN is based in the Netherlands and has been the setting for some famous trials – notably of war criminals.
Interested members of the public can even attend hearings, both as a group or individually, and briefings on the courts can be arranged by prior request.
International Maritime Organization, London, England
This center is the custodian of all things maritime and holds documents dating back to 1959.
The SeaLibrary, the IMO’s bibliographic catalogue containing thousands of books, articles and DVDs is available online, so you can plan what you want to look at in advance.
Visitors are welcome, by appointment, to visit the Maritime Knowledge Centre from 10:00-17:00 on Mondays to Thursdays.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, France
UNESCO daily visits can be arranged by request, with a film screening and a guided tour.
There is also the opportunity see works of art by such luminaries as Picasso, Moore and Giocometti, as well as visiting the Noguchi garden of peace, the Nagasaki Angel and the Square of Tolerance.
And if you can’t make it to Paris, you can take a virtual tour via their website.
The International Monetary Fund, Washington, DC, USA
The IMF exists to foster global monetary cooperation and secure financial stability.
You can visit the IMF to discover more about its role in the global economy and see exhibits, a theatre with educational videos.
Briefings can also be organized on international money matters related to the organization.
Thanks to Skyscanner.com for supplying some of the information for this article.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
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