The United Nations (UN) is a global organization founded in 1945 with the goal of promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations. As of January 2025, the UN has 193 member states, representing almost every recognized sovereign country in the world. These member states work together to address pressing global challenges, including conflict, poverty, human rights, climate change, and humanitarian crises.
In this post, we will explore who the UN member states are, what it means to be a member, and who is not a member state of the United Nations.
What Does It Mean to Be a UN Member State?
Being a UN member state means a country has agreed to uphold the principles outlined in the UN Charter, which includes promoting peace, maintaining international law, and protecting human rights. Member states can participate in all activities of the UN, such as voting in the General Assembly, contributing to peacekeeping missions, and being part of specialized UN agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
How Are UN Member States Selected?
For a country to become a UN member state, it must undergo a two-step process:
- Recommendation by the UN Security Council: The country must first be recommended for membership by the Security Council, which consists of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
- Approval by the General Assembly: The recommendation is then put to a vote in the General Assembly, where a two-thirds majority is required for admission.
Who Is Not a Member State of the United Nations?
While the UN has 193 members, there are a few countries and territories that are not recognized as UN member states:
- Taiwan: Despite being a self-governing and democratically elected government, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) claims Taiwan as part of its territory, and the UN follows the “One China” policy, which recognizes the PRC as the sole representative of China in the UN. As a result, Taiwan has been excluded from UN membership.
- Kosovo: Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by over 100 countries. However, it is not a member of the UN due to opposition from countries like Russia and China, as well as Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty.
- Vatican City: Although it is an independent sovereign state, Vatican City is not a UN member. Instead, it holds the status of a permanent observer state, allowing it to participate in many UN activities but without voting rights.
- Western Sahara: The status of Western Sahara remains disputed. It is claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. As of now, Western Sahara is not a UN member, though it is recognized by some countries and has the status of a non-member observer.
- Other Non-UN Members: Some other countries and regions that are not UN members include South Ossetiaand Abkhazia, both of which declared independence from Georgia but are only recognized by a few nations. North Cyprus is another example, which declared independence in 1983 but is only recognized by Turkey.
The Case of the State of Palestine
The State of Palestine is another unique case. While it is not a full UN member state, it has been a non-member observer state since November 2012. As of June 2024, Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193 UN member states, or just over 75% of all UN members. This recognition reflects significant international support for Palestine’s claim to statehood, although the issue remains contentious.
In June 2025, the UN will host a High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, aimed at advancing the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A Final Note on the UN Member States
The United Nations is home to 193 member states that collaborate on a wide range of issues, from global peace and security to sustainable development and climate action. While the vast majority of countries are members, there are a few states and regions, such as Taiwan, Kosovo, and Vatican City, that are not part of the UN due to political or territorial disputes.
The ongoing efforts of the UN to include more nations, resolve conflicts, and foster international cooperation are central to its mission. Understanding which countries are and are not members of the UN is key to comprehending the organization’s global influence and its role in shaping world affairs.
Have a thought on the UN Member States? Drop a comment or explore more resources on The Global Humanitarian.
You can also follow me on Instagram @the.global.humanitarian.
Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.