United Nations member states
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The following article helps to explain the structure of the United Nations General Assembly, the universal decision-making body of the United Nations. By definition, only states can be members, so any other intergovernmental or legal entity must be an observer - allowing them to speak, but not vote in Assembly meetings. For information on observers, see United Nations General Assembly observers.
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Current Members
There are currently 191 member states.
Afghanistan - November 19, 1946
Albania - December 14, 1955
- Algeria - October 8, 1962
Andorra - July 28, 1993
Angola - December 1, 1976
Antigua and Barbuda - November 11, 1981
Argentina - October 24, 1945
Armenia - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Australia - November 1, 1945
Austria - December 14, 1955
Azerbaijan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Bahamas - September 18, 1973
Bahrain - September 21, 1971
Bangladesh - September 17, 1974
Barbados - December 9, 1966
- Belarus - October 24, 1945 Naming Note: 1
Belgium - December 27, 1945
Belize - September 25, 1981
Benin - September 20, 1960
Bhutan - September 21, 1971
Bolivia - November 14, 1945
Bosnia and Herzegovina - May 22, 1992 Former Members Note: 9
Botswana - October 17, 1966
Brazil - October 24, 1945
Brunei Darussalam - September 21 1984 Naming Note: 2
Bulgaria - December 14, 1955
Burkina Faso - September 20, 1960
Burundi - September 18, 1962
Cambodia - December 14, 1955
Cameroon - September 20, 1960
Canada - November 9, 1945
Cape Verde - September 16, 1975
Central African Republic - September 20, 1960
Chad - September 20, 1960
Chile - October 24, 1945
People's Republic of China - October 24, 1945 (originally the Republic of China until 1971)
Colombia - November 5, 1945
Comoros - November 12, 1975
Democratic Republic of the Congo - September 20, 1960 Naming Note: 3
Republic of the Congo - September 20, 1960 Naming Note: 4
Costa Rica - November 2, 1945
Côte d'Ivoire - September 20, 1960
Croatia - May 22, 1992 Former Members Note: 9
Cuba - October 24, 1945
Cyprus - September 20, 1960 Naming Note: 5
Czech Republic - January 19, 1993 Former Members Note: 1
Denmark - October 24, 1945
Djibouti - September 20, 1977
Dominica - December 18, 1978
Dominican Republic - October 24, 1945
Ecuador - December 21, 1945
- Egypt - October 24, 1945 Former Members Note: 6
El Salvador - October 24, 1945
Equatorial Guinea - November 12, 1968
Eritrea - May 28, 1993
- Estonia - September 17, 1991 Former Members Note: 7
Ethiopia - November 13, 1945
Fiji - October 13, 1970
Finland - December 14, 1955
France - October 24, 1945
Gabon - September 20, 1960
Gambia - September 21, 1965 Naming Note: 6
- Georgia - July 31, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
- Germany - October 3, 1990 Former Members Notes: 2, 8
Ghana - March 8, 1957
Greece - October 25, 1945
- Grenada - September 17, 1974
Guatemala - November 21, 1945
Guinea - December 12, 1958
Guinea-Bissau - September 17, 1974
Guyana - September 20, 1966
Haiti - October 24, 1945
Honduras - December 17, 1945
Hungary - December 14, 1955
Iceland - November 19, 1946
India - October 30, 1945
Indonesia - September 28, 1950 Naming Note: 7
Iran - October 24, 1945 Naming Note: 8
Iraq - December 21, 1945
Ireland - December 14, 1955 Naming Note: 9
Israel - May 11, 1949
- Italy - December 14, 1955
Jamaica - September 18, 1962
Japan - December 18, 1956
Jordan - December 14, 1955
- Kazakhstan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Kenya - December 16, 1963
Kiribati - September 14, 1999
Democratic People's Republic of Korea - September 17, 1991 Naming Note: 10
Republic of Korea - September 17, 1991 Naming Note: 11
Kuwait - May 14, 1963
Kyrgyzstan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Laos - December 14, 1955 Naming Note: 11
Latvia - September 17, 1991 Former Members Note: 7
Lebanon - October 24, 1945
Lesotho - October 17, 1966
Liberia - November 2, 1945
Libya - December 14, 1955 Naming Note: 12
Liechtenstein - September 18, 1990
Lithuania - September 17, 1991 Former Members Note: 7
Luxembourg - October 24, 1945
- Macedonia - April 8, 1993 Former Members Note: 9, Naming Note: 13
Madagascar - September 20, 1960
Malawi - December 1, 1964
Malaysia - September 17, 1957 Naming Note: 14
Maldives - September 21, 1965
Mali - September 28, 1960
- Malta - December 1, 1964
- Marshall Islands - September 17, 1991
- Mauritania - October 27, 1961
Mauritius - April 24, 1968
Mexico - November 7, 1945
Federated States of Micronesia - September 17, 1991 Naming Note: 15
Moldova - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7, Naming Note: 16
Monaco - May 28, 1993
- Mongolia - October 27, 1961
Morocco - November 12, 1956
Mozambique - September 16, 1975
Myanmar - April 19, 1948 Naming Note: 17
Namibia - April 23, 1990
Nauru - September 14, 1999
Nepal - December 14, 1955
Netherlands - December 10, 1945 Naming Note: 18
- New Zealand - October 24, 1945
Nicaragua - October 24, 1945
Niger - September 20, 1960
Nigeria - October 7, 1960
Norway - November 27, 1945
Oman - October 7, 1971
Pakistan - September 30, 1947
Palau - December 15, 1994
Panama - November 13, 1945
Papua New Guinea - October 10, 1975
Paraguay - October 24, 1945
Peru - October 31, 1945
Philippines - October 24, 1945
Poland - October 24, 1945
Portugal - December 14, 1955
- Qatar - September 21, 1971
Romania - December 14, 1955
Russia - December 24, 1991 Former Members Note: 7, Naming Note: 20
Rwanda - September 18, 1962
Saint Kitts and Nevis - September 23, 1983
Saint Lucia - September 18, 1979
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - September 16, 1980
Samoa - December 15, 1976
San Marino - March 2, 1992
São Tomé and Príncipe - September 16, 1975
Saudi Arabia - October 24, 1945
Senegal - September 28, 1960
- Serbia and Montenegro - November 1, 2000 Former Members Note: 9
Seychelles - September 21, 1976
Sierra Leone - September 27, 1961
Singapore - September 21, 1965
Slovakia - January 19, 1993 Former Members Note: 1
Slovenia - May 22, 1992 Former Members Note: 9
Solomon Islands - September 19, 1978
Somalia - September 20, 1960
South Africa - November 7, 1945
Spain - December 14, 1955
Sri Lanka - December 14, 1955
Sudan - November 12, 1956
Suriname - December 4, 1975
Swaziland - September 24, 1968
Sweden - November 19, 1946
Switzerland - September 10, 2002
Syria - October 24 1945 Former Members Note: 6, Naming Note: 22
Tajikistan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Tanzania - April 26, 1964 Former Members Notes: 5, 10, Naming Note: 23
Thailand - December 16, 1946
East Timor - September 27, 2002
Togo - September 20, 1960
Tonga - September 14, 1999
Trinidad and Tobago - September 18, 1962
Tunisia - November 12, 1956
Turkey - October 24, 1945
Turkmenistan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
- Tuvalu - September 5, 2000
Uganda - October 25, 1962
Ukraine - October 24, 1945 Naming Note: 24
United Arab Emirates - December 9, 1971
United Kingdom - October 24, 1945 Naming Note: 25
- United States - October 24, 1945 Naming Note: 26
- Uruguay - December 18, 1945
- Uzbekistan - March 2, 1992 Former Members Note: 7
Vanuatu - September 15, 1981
Venezuela - November 15, 1945
Vietnam - September 20, 1977 Naming Note: 27
Yemen - September 30, 1947 Former Member Notes: 3, 4
Zambia - December 1, 1964
Zimbabwe - August 25, 1980
Seat of China
Main article: China and the United Nations
The Republic of China was one of the five original founders of the UN in 1945. However, at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Kuomintang-controlled ROC government fled to Taiwan, with the Communist government of the newly declared People's Republic of China taking control of most of the country. Representatives of the Nationalist government continued to represent China at the UN, though it was often alleged that this was somewhat unfair, given the size of the ROC's jurisdiction of Taiwan (and other outlying islands) compared to the PRC's jurisdiction of mainland China. In October 1971, Resolution 2758 was passed by the General Assembly, effectively expelling the ROC from all UN organs and replacing the China seat on the Security Council with the PRC. Multiple attempts by the Republic of China to re-join the UN, no longer to represent "China" as a whole but the "twenty-three million people of Taiwan," have not made it past committee.
Observer States and Non-members
In addition to the member states discussed above, there is also a non-member observer state: the Holy See (Vatican City State), which maintains a permanent observer mission at the UN headquarters. For several years, Switzerland was also an observer, but it became a full member on September 10, 2002 after a national referendum.
Western Sahara maintains diplomatic ties with 70-some states and is a full member of the African Union as the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. Because it has no effective sovereignty, administering a minority of the land in the territory of Western Sahara, with a government-in-exile headquartered in the refugee camps of Tindouf, Algeria, however, it is not represented at the UN.
Some international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, or entities whose statehood/sovereignty has not been precisely defined, such as the Palestinian Authority, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Sovereign Military Order of Malta, have a similar observer status but not as "non-member states." See United Nations General Assembly observers for more information.
Former Members
- Czechoslovakia was a member from October 24, 1945 until December 31, 1992. Its seat has been taken by the Czech Republic and Slovakia. There is no single successor state to Czechoslovakia, and both the Czech Republic and Slovakia had to apply for membership.
- East Germany was originally admitted as the "German Democratic Republic" on September 18, 1973. After the reunification of Germany, its seat was taken on October 3, 1990.
- North Yemen (the Yemen Arab Republic) was admitted on September 30, 1947, under the name "North Yemen." Starting May 22, 1992, it also represented South Yemen (the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen).
- South Yemen (the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) was admitted on 14 December 1967. Starting May 22, 1992, its seat was taken by Yemen.
- Tanganikya was a member from December 14, 1961 until April 26, 1964, when its seat was taken by Tanzania.
- The United Arab Republic was a member from February 21, 1958 through September 2, 1971, when Egypt changed its long-form name to the "Arab Republic of Egypt."
- The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a member from October 24, 1945 through December 23, 1991. Its seat was taken by Russia on December 24, 1991. Belarus and Ukraine had prior membership. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were admitted September 17, 1991. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were admitted March 2, 1992. Georgia was admitted July 31, 1992.
- West Germany was originally admitted as the "Federal Republic of Germany" on September 18, 1973. After the reunification of Germany, its seat was taken on October 3, 1990.
- Yugoslavia (the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) was a member from October 19, 1945 through November 10, 2000. Its seat was taken by Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/46/237 on May 22, 1992. Croatia was admitted by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/46/238 on May 22, 1992. Macedonia was admitted by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/225 on April 8, 1993, with this provision "pending settlement over the difference that had arisen over its name." Slovenia was admitted by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/46/238 on May 22, 1992.
- Zanzibar was a member from December 16, 1963 until April 26, 1964, when its seat was taken by Tanzania.
Naming Conventions and Notes
- Belarus was originally admitted as the "Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic" on October 24, 1945. It informed the United Nations of the change on September 19, 1991.
- Brunei takes its seat under the name "Brunei Darussalam."
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo was originally admitted as "Zaire" on September 20, 1960. It changed its name on May 17, 1997.
- The Republic of the Congo takes its seat under the name "Congo."
- Cyprus as an entire island is represented by the Republic of Cyprus, including the area administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- Indonesia was admitted on September 28, 1950 and temporarily withdrew from January 20, 1965 through September 27, 1966 (inclusive), due to the upheaval of Sukarno by Suharto's coup, and the annexation of West Papua. It announced its intention to rejoin on September 19, 1966.
- Iran takes its seat under the name the "Islamic Republic of Iran."
- Ireland takes its seat under the name the "Republic of Ireland."
- Laos takes its seat under the name the "Lao People's Democratic Republic."
- Libya takes its seat under the name "Libyan Arab Jamahiriya."
- Macedonia takes its seat under the name the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," due to pressure from Greece.
- Malaysia was originally admitted as the "Federation of Malaya" on September 17, 1957.
- Micronesia takes its seat under the name "Federated States of Micronesia."
- Moldova takes its seat under the name the "Republic of Moldova."
- Myanmar was originally admitted as "Burma" on April 19, 1948.
- The Netherlands takes its seat as the "Kingdom of the Netherlands."
- Russia takes its seat as the "Russian Federation."
- Syria takes its seat as the "Syrian Arab Republic."
- Tanzania takes its seat under the name the "United Republic of Tanzania."
- Ukraine was originally admitted as the "Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic" on October 24 1945.
- United Kingdom takes its seat under the name the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
- United States takes its seat under the name the "United States of America."
External Links
- Official list of member states, including membership history (http://www.un.org/Overview/unmember.html)
- Growth in United Nations Membership, 1945-2005 (http://www.un.org/Overview/growth.htm)ar:الدول الاعضاء في الامم المتحدةfr:Liste des États membres de l'ONU
it:Lista degli stati membri delle Nazioni Unite no:FNs medlemsland sq:Lista e shteteve sk:Členské štáty OSN fi:Yhdistyneiden kansakuntien jäsenvaltiot ta:ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபை உறுப்பு நாடுகள் zh:联合国成员国列表

