| Frequently Asked Questions about the UN |
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Q: What is the term of the Secretary-General? A: The Secretary-General's term is five years. Although there is technically no limit to the number of five-year terms the top official and chief administrative officer of the United Nations may serve, no Secretary-General so far has held office for more than two terms. The current Secretary-General, Kofi Annan of Ghana will complete his second term in office in December 2006. Q: How many countries are permanent members of the Security Council? Which ones are they? A: The Security Council is made up of 15 members. The 5 permanent members - China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States can block any proposal brought before the Council by casting a negative vote. The ten non-permanent members are periodically elected by all Member States for a two-year term. Q: I would like to send an E-mail to the Secretary-General to propose an idea for how to achieve global unity. What is his E-mail address? A: E-mails addressed to the Secretary-General should be sent to inquiries@un.org . Proposals can only be taken up by the United Nations when presented by an official representative of a Member State and after being duly inscribed on the agenda of the Organization and voted by its Membership. Q: How many countries are there in the world? A: We are not an authority on this topic. We suggest you visit a public library in your area, consult an encyclopedia or a world almanac. The United Nations, however, has 191 Member Countries Q: How does a new State or Government obtain recognition by the United Nations? How does a country join the UN as a Member State? A: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS2.HTM Q: What is the meaning of the UN emblem and flag? Are there any restrictions on their use? A: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS4.HTM Q: What is the UN doing to combat terrorism? A: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS8.HTM Q: Does the UN have a hymn or national anthem? A: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS9.HTM Q: I am an artist and would like to display my art works at the United Nations. What should I do? A: http://www.un.org/geninfo/faq/factsheets/FS15.HTM Q: What are the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)? A: As of 2000, Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Dem. Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Dem. Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Island, Somalia, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Rep. of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia. Q: What is the Story of the United Nations Headquarters? |