The United Nations (UN) stands today as one of the most significant institutions for international cooperation, diplomacy, and global governance. Established in the aftermath of the most destructive conflict in human history, the UN represents a shared commitment by nations to prevent war, promote human rights, and foster economic and social progress. Its creation was not inevitable; it arose from the failures of earlier efforts, the devastation of the Second World War, and a renewed determination to build a more stable world order.
Origins in the Aftermath of War
The roots of the United Nations lie in the interwar period and the troubled legacy of the League of Nations. Formed after the First World War, the League aimed to resolve disputes peacefully but lacked the authority, participation, and mechanisms needed for effective global governance. Major powers such as the United States never joined, and the League’s inability to prevent aggression in the 1930s—particularly the invasions by Japan, Italy, and Germany—highlighted its structural weaknesses. When the Second World War erupted, the need for a stronger, more cohesive international body became clear.
The turning point came in 1941 with the signing of the Atlantic Charter by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. This document outlined principles for a peaceful postwar world, including self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom from fear. It laid the philosophical groundwork for a future international organization. In 1942, 26 nations signed the Declaration by United Nations, pledging to work together against the Axis powers. This document marked the first official use of the term “United Nations.”
As the war progressed, Allied leaders shaped the framework for a new organisation designed to succeed where the League had failed. The Moscow and Tehran Conferences began outlining its structure, while the 1944 Dumbarton Oaks Conference created the foundation for the modern UN, including the General Assembly, Security Council, and International Court of Justice. In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco for the United Nations Conference on International Organization and drafted the UN Charter, which came into force on 24 October 1945.
The First Meeting: London, January 1946
Although the Charter was signed in San Francisco, the newly formed United Nations held its first official meeting in London. On 10 January 1946, the UN General Assembly convened for the first time at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. Delegates from 51 nations gathered to begin the practical work of building an international system dedicated to peace and cooperation.
This London meeting was historic: it marked the transition from wartime alliance to peacetime institution. The delegates elected the first President of the General Assembly, adopted the rules of procedure, and began addressing the organisation’s initial priorities, including nuclear energy, refugees, and the establishment of the Security Council. The choice of London reflected the city’s political importance after the war and its symbolic role as a centre of resistance against tyranny.