United Nations Visitors Centre

Inside the Security Council Chamber, every seat tells a story.

Pictured is UN tour guide Allie ( 🇺🇸) explaining the unique seating arrangement around the iconic horseshoe-shaped table, a design created to encourage dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy among Member States.

Fifteen members of the Security Council meet around this table: five permanent members and ten elected members serving two-year terms. Here, representatives discuss some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from maintaining international peace and security to responding to conflicts and humanitarian crises.

Join a guided tour of UN Headquarters and discover the spaces where global diplomacy happens.

Hope has the power to inspire action, strengthen communities, and bring people together.

On 12 July, the United Nations marks the International Day of Hope, recognizing hope as a universal value that supports peace, dignity, solidarity and sustainable development.

In a rapidly changing world, hope reminds us that cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding remain essential to building a better future for all.
Pictured is the Kwibuka Flame of Hope, a gift from symbolizing resilience, courage, and the urgent need to stand against hate.

Visit United Nations Headquarters to learn more about the work of the United Nations and the principles that continue to guide international cooperation.

Experience United Nations Headquarters through an accessible Guided Tour.

Selected English-language Guided Tours of United Nations Headquarters will include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation from 9–24 July, expanding accessibility for visitors wishing to learn about the work and history of the United Nations.

A 20% discount is available for ASL-interpreted tours during this period. To request a tour, please contact [email protected].

📅 9–24 July
📧 [email protected]

Two visits. One shared spirit of discovery.

This past weekend, the United Nations Visitors Services team and cadets from the Italian Navy’s training ship Amerigo Vespucci had the opportunity to learn from one another through a unique exchange of visits.

Members of the UN Guided Tours team were welcomed aboard the historic vessel while it was in , gaining insight into its long-standing tradition of training future naval officers.

The following day, approximately 160 cadets visited United Nations Headquarters, where they explored iconic spaces, including the General Assembly Hall, and learned about the history of the United Nations, its work around the world, and the importance of international cooperation.

These exchanges reflect the value of dialogue, mutual understanding and learning from one another across different fields of public service.

United Nations Visitors Centre extends its sincere appreciation to the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations - New York and the officers and crew of the Amerigo Vespucci for making this memorable exchange possible.

The General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters is the principal deliberative space of the Organization, where all Member States are represented.

Its design reflects the principle of sovereign equality, ensuring that each Member State participates on equal footing in discussions on global issues.

The Hall remains central to the functioning of the United Nations system.

to view this space in person and learn more about the role of the General Assembly within the United Nations 👉 un.org/visit⁠

Experience United Nations Headquarters through an accessible Guided Tour.

Selected English-language Guided Tours of United Nations Headquarters will include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation from 9–24 July, providing more visitors with the opportunity to explore the work and history of the United Nations.

A 20% discount is available for ASL-interpreted tours during this period. To request a tour, please email [email protected].

📅 9–24 July
📧 [email protected]

Guided Tour tickets 🎟 are now available through 31 December 2026!

Visit the United Nations Headquarters and explore the spaces where global conversations take place. Join a guided tour to learn more about the work of the United Nations, its history, and the issues shaping our world.

Book your visit today 👉 un.org/visit⁠

Tours are available in all six official languages of the United Nations 🇺🇳 ( ), with additional language options available upon request. For tours in languages other than English, please contact [email protected].

The United Nations Headquarters complex in represents one of the earliest purpose-built international institutional sites developed after the Second World War ( ).

Its placement along the East River was selected to provide both visibility and accessibility, while its modernist design emphasized openness and transparency in international affairs.

Key buildings, including the Secretariat and General Assembly, continue to serve as active spaces for diplomatic engagement among Member States.

Experience these landmark spaces through guided tours of in

Book your tour to today 👉 un.org/visit

Human rights shape everyday experiences, from living with dignity and security to accessing opportunities and participating fully in society. These universal principles remain relevant across generations and communities worldwide.

At the United Nations, visitors can engage with stories and exhibitions that reflect the continued importance of human rights. On view are artworks by Brazilian artist Otavio Roth, created to illustrate each of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, the Declaration continues to serve as a global reference point for human rights.

Visitors can also explore past UN exhibitions that have addressed themes including Indigenous Peoples’ rights, remembrance of the Roma and Sinti genocide, conflict-related sexual violence, and perspectives on the experiences of the Palestinian people: https://shorturl.at/cDvBu

Plan your visit and discover more 👉 un.org/visit⁠

The Security Council, made up of 15 Member States, is the United Nations body tasked with maintaining international peace and security. Each month, the presidency of the Council rotates among its members. In July 2026, Democratic Republic of the 🇨🇩 holds the presidency.

Want to learn more about how the Security Council works? Take a guided tour of United Nations Headquarters or book an expert briefing to explore this and much more: 👉 www.un.org/visit



📸: UN Photo