As of September 2021, there are 193 member states in the United Nations. These member states are recognized as sovereign nations by the international community and have chosen to align themselves with the UN and its principles. Each member state has an equal voice and vote in the General Assembly, which is the main deliberative and policymaking body of the UN.
The journey to become a member state of the UN typically involves a two-stage process. First, an aspiring nation must submit an application to the UN Secretary-General, who will then forward it to the Security Council. The Security Council reviews the application and makes a recommendation to the General Assembly. If the recommendation is approved by a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly, the nation is admitted as a member state.
It’s important to note that there are also two observer states within the UN system: the Holy See, which is represented by the Vatican City, and Palestine. They are not full member states but have been granted non-member observer status, allowing them to participate in certain UN activities.
Over the years, the number of member states in the UN has grown steadily. When the organization was first established in 1945, it began with only 51 founding member states. Since then, as the process of decolonization and the recognition of newly independent nations took place, the number has gradually increased.
The admission of new member states is often a reflection of significant global political changes. South Sudan, for example, became the newest member state of the UN in 2011 after gaining independence from Sudan. Similarly, Montenegro and Timor-Leste joined as member states in 2006 and 2002 respectively, following their separation from Serbia and Indonesia.
However, it is worth noting that there are a few recognized sovereign states that are not members of the UN. For various reasons, some nations, such as Vatican City and Kosovo, have chosen not to apply for UN membership. Additionally, Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, lost its UN seat in 1971 when the People’s Republic of China took its place as the representative of “China” in the organization. Taiwan has since made unsuccessful attempts to regain its membership.
In conclusion, as of September 2021, there are 193 member states in the United Nations. These member states comprise the majority of recognized sovereign nations worldwide. The process of becoming a member state involves applying to the UN Secretary-General, receiving a recommendation from the Security Council, and obtaining approval from the General Assembly. While there are a few recognized sovereign states that are not UN members, the organization continues to serve as a platform for global diplomacy and cooperation among nations.