United Nations member states

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.

Contents

1 Current Members

2 Seat of China

3 Observer States and Non-members

4 Former Members

5 Naming Conventions and Notes

6 External Links

Current Members

There are currently 191 member states.

Template:AFG - November 19, 1946
Template:ALB - December 14, 1955
Template:DZA - October 8, 1962
Template:AND - July 28, 1993
Template:AGO - December 1, 1976
Template:ATG - November 11, 1981
Template:ARG - October 24, 1945
Template:ARM - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:AUS - November 1, 1945
Template:AUT - December 14, 1955
Template:AZE - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:BHS - September 18, 1973
Template:BHR - September 21, 1971
Template:BGD - September 17, 1974
Template:BRB - December 9, 1966
Template:BLR - October 24, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 1}
Template:BEL - December 27, 1945
Template:BLZ - September 25, 1981
Template:BEN - September 20, 1960
Template:BTN - September 21, 1971
Template:BOL - November 14, 1945
Template:BIH - May 22, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 9}
Template:BWA - October 17, 1966
Template:BRA - October 24, 1945
Template:BRU - September 21 1984 ^{Naming Note: 2}
Template:BGR - December 14, 1955
Template:BFA - September 20, 1960
Template:BDI - September 18, 1962
Template:KHM - December 14, 1955
Template:CMR - September 20, 1960
Template:CAN - November 9, 1945
Template:CPV - September 16, 1975
Template:CAF - September 20, 1960
Template:TCD - September 20, 1960
Template:CHL - October 24, 1945
Template:CHN - October 24, 1945 (originally the Republic of China until 1971)
Template:COL - November 5, 1945
Template:COM - November 12, 1975
Template:COD - September 20, 1960 ^{Naming Note: 3}
Template:COG - September 20, 1960 ^{Naming Note: 4}
Template:CRI - November 2, 1945
Template:CIV - September 20, 1960
Template:HRV - May 22, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 9}
Template:CUB - October 24, 1945
Template:CYP - September 20, 1960 ^{Naming Note: 5}
Template:CZE - January 19, 1993 ^{Former Members Note: 1}
Template:DNK - October 24, 1945
Template:DJI - September 20, 1977
Template:DMA - December 18, 1978
Template:DOM - October 24, 1945
Template:ECU - December 21, 1945
Template:EGY - October 24, 1945 ^{Former Members Note: 6}
Template:SLV - October 24, 1945
Template:GNQ - November 12, 1968
Template:ERI - May 28, 1993
Template:EST - September 17, 1991 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:ETH - November 13, 1945
Template:FJI - October 13, 1970
Template:FIN - December 14, 1955
Template:FRA - October 24, 1945
Template:GAB - September 20, 1960
Template:GMB - September 21, 1965 ^{Naming Note: 6}
Template:GEO - July 31, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:DEU - October 3, 1990 ^{Former Members Notes: 2, 8}
Template:GHA - March 8, 1957
Template:GRC - October 25, 1945
Template:GRD - September 17, 1974
Template:GTM - November 21, 1945
Template:GIN - December 12, 1958
Template:GNB - September 17, 1974
Template:GUY - September 20, 1966
Template:HTI - October 24, 1945
Template:HND - December 17, 1945
Template:HUN - December 14, 1955
Template:ISL - November 19, 1946
Template:IND - October 30, 1945
Template:IDN - September 28, 1950 ^{Naming Note: 7}
Template:IRN - October 24, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 8}
Template:IRQ - December 21, 1945
Template:IRL - December 14, 1955 ^{Naming Note: 9}
Template:ISR - May 11, 1949
Template:ITA - December 14, 1955
Template:JAM - September 18, 1962
Template:JPN - December 18, 1956
Template:JOR - December 14, 1955
Template:KAZ - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:KEN - December 16, 1963
Template:KIR - September 14, 1999
Template:PRK - September 17, 1991 ^{Naming Note: 10}
Template:KOR - September 17, 1991 ^{Naming Note: 11}
Template:KWT - May 14, 1963
Template:KGZ - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:LAO - December 14, 1955 ^{Naming Note: 11}
Template:LVA - September 17, 1991 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:LBN - October 24, 1945
Template:LSO - October 17, 1966
Template:LBR - November 2, 1945
Template:LBY - December 14, 1955 ^{Naming Note: 12}
Template:LIE - September 18, 1990
Template:LTU - September 17, 1991 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:LUX - October 24, 1945
Template:MKD - April 8, 1993 ^{Former Members Note: 9, Naming Note: 13}
Template:MDG - September 20, 1960
Template:MWI - December 1, 1964
Template:MYS - September 17, 1957 ^{Naming Note: 14}
Template:MDV - September 21, 1965
Template:MLI - September 28, 1960
Template:MLT - December 1, 1964
Template:MHL - September 17, 1991
Template:MRT - October 27, 1961
Template:MUS - April 24, 1968
Template:MEX - November 7, 1945
Template:FSM - September 17, 1991 ^{Naming Note: 15}
Template:MDA - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7, Naming Note: 16}
Template:MCO - May 28, 1993
Template:MNG - October 27, 1961
Template:MAR - November 12, 1956
Template:MOZ - September 16, 1975
Template:MMR - April 19, 1948 ^{Naming Note: 17}
Template:NAM - April 23, 1990
Template:NRU - September 14, 1999
Template:NPL - December 14, 1955
Template:NLD - December 10, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 18}
Template:NZL - October 24, 1945
Template:NIC - October 24, 1945
Template:NER - September 20, 1960
Template:NGA - October 7, 1960
Template:NOR - November 27, 1945
Template:OMN - October 7, 1971
Template:PAK - September 30, 1947
Template:PLW - December 15, 1994
Template:PAN - November 13, 1945
Template:PNG - October 10, 1975
Template:PRY - October 24, 1945
Template:PER - October 31, 1945
Template:PHL - October 24, 1945
Template:POL - October 24, 1945
Template:PRT - December 14, 1955
Template:QAT - September 21, 1971
Template:ROU - December 14, 1955
Template:RUS - December 24, 1991 ^{Former Members Note: 7, Naming Note: 20}
Template:RWA - September 18, 1962
Template:KNA - September 23, 1983
Template:LCA - September 18, 1979
Template:VCT - September 16, 1980
Template:WSM - December 15, 1976
Template:SMR - March 2, 1992
Template:STP - September 16, 1975
Template:SAU - October 24, 1945
Template:SEN - September 28, 1960
Template:SCG - November 1, 2000 ^{Former Members Note: 9}
Template:SYC - September 21, 1976
Template:SLE - September 27, 1961
Template:SGP - September 21, 1965
Template:SVK - January 19, 1993 ^{Former Members Note: 1}
Template:SVN - May 22, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 9}
Template:SLB - September 19, 1978
Template:SOM - September 20, 1960
Template:ZAF - November 7, 1945
Template:ESP - December 14, 1955
Template:LKA - December 14, 1955
Template:SDN - November 12, 1956
Template:SUR - December 4, 1975
Template:SWZ - September 24, 1968
Template:SWE - November 19, 1946
Template:CHE - September 10, 2002
Template:SYR - October 24 1945 ^{Former Members Note: 6, Naming Note: 22}
Template:TJK - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:TZA - April 26, 1964 ^{Former Members Notes: 5, 10, Naming Note: 23}
Template:THA - December 16, 1946
Template:TLS - September 27, 2002
Template:TGO - September 20, 1960
Template:TON - September 14, 1999
Template:TTO - September 18, 1962
Template:TUN - November 12, 1956
Template:TUR - October 24, 1945
Template:TKM - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:TUV - September 5, 2000
Template:UGA - October 25, 1962
Template:UKR - October 24, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 24}
Template:ARE - December 9, 1971
Template:UK - October 24, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 25}
Template:USA - October 24, 1945 ^{Naming Note: 26}
Template:URY - December 18, 1945
Template:UZB - March 2, 1992 ^{Former Members Note: 7}
Template:VUT - September 15, 1981
Template:VEN - November 15, 1945
Template:VNM - September 20, 1977 ^{Naming Note: 27}
Template:YEM - September 30, 1947 ^{Former Member Notes: 3, 4}
Template:ZMB - December 1, 1964
Template:ZWE - 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."