Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, San Marino, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan join the United Nations.

The Republic of Armenia, often simply called Armenia, is a captivating landlocked country nestled within the rugged Armenian Highlands of Western Asia. It’s an integral part of the broader Caucasus region, sharing its borders with a tapestry of nations: Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and a complex eastern frontier with Azerbaijan, which includes the Lachin corridor under a Russian peacekeeping force. To the south, Armenia meets Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan. Its vibrant capital and largest city is Yerevan, a place brimming with history and modern life.

A Deep Dive into Armenia's Enduring History

Armenia stands as a unitary, multi-party democratic nation-state, renowned for its profoundly ancient cultural heritage. The earliest Armenian state, Urartu, emerged around 860 BC, eventually giving way to the Satrapy of Armenia by the 6th century BC. The ancient Kingdom of Armenia reached its zenith under the formidable rule of Tigranes the Great in the 1st century BC. A pivotal moment in world history occurred in 301 AD when Armenia became the very first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion, a testament to its enduring faith. This ancient kingdom was later partitioned between the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires in the early 5th century. Resilience, however, defined its spirit, and the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia was restored in the 9th century under the Bagratuni dynasty. Yet, struggles with the Byzantines led to its decline and eventual fall in 1045, soon followed by an invasion by the Seljuk Turks. A subsequent Armenian principality, and later the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia, thrived on the Mediterranean coast between the 11th and 14th centuries, marking another significant chapter in its storied past.

Modern Crossroads and Cultural Pillars

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the traditional Armenian homeland, comprising Eastern and Western Armenia, found itself repeatedly under the sway of either the Ottoman or Persian empires. By the 19th century, Eastern Armenia had been annexed by the Russian Empire, while the majority of Western Armenia remained under Ottoman control. A dark chapter unfolded during World War I, as 1.5 million Armenians living in their ancestral lands within the Ottoman Empire faced systematic extermination in the horrific Armenian Genocide. In the wake of the Russian Revolution and the dissolution of the Russian Empire in 1918, the First Republic of Armenia declared its independence. By 1920, it was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and in 1922 became a founding member of the Soviet Union. In 1936, the Transcaucasian state was dissolved, elevating the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic to a full Union republic. Finally, the modern Republic of Armenia became independent in 1991, coinciding with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Today, Armenia is a developing country, ranking 81st on the Human Development Index (2018), with an economy largely driven by industrial output and mineral extraction. While geographically situated in the South Caucasus, Armenia is largely considered geopolitically European, aligning itself with Europe in numerous respects. It is a member of organizations like the Council of Europe, the Eastern Partnership, Eurocontrol, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Armenia also plays a role in regional groups across Eurasia, including the Asian Development Bank, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the Eurasian Development Bank. The nation actively supports the de facto independent Artsakh, which proclaimed its autonomy in 1991. Culturally, Armenia recognizes the Armenian Apostolic Church, the world's oldest national church, as its primary religious establishment. A unique and profound element of its identity is the distinctive Armenian alphabet, ingeniously created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, a script that continues to shape its language and heritage.

The United Nations: A Global Endeavor for Peace and Progress

The United Nations (UN) stands as the world's largest and most recognizable intergovernmental organization, dedicated to a profound mission: maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation, and serving as a vital center for harmonizing global actions. Its headquarters occupy international territory in New York City, with other significant offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague, which famously houses the International Court of Justice.

Forging a Path for Global Harmony

The UN was conceived in the crucible of post-World War II, born from a collective desire to prevent future conflicts and to succeed the rather ineffective League of Nations. A pivotal moment arrived on April 25, 1945, when 50 governments convened in San Francisco to begin drafting the foundational document, the UN Charter. This historic charter was adopted on June 25, 1945, and officially took effect on October 24, 1945, marking the formal commencement of UN operations. Pursuant to the Charter, the organization's overarching objectives include safeguarding international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering crucial humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law. At its inception, the UN comprised 51 member states; with the addition of South Sudan in 2011, its membership has expanded to 193, representing nearly every sovereign state globally.

Evolution, Structure, and Impact

The UN's early decades saw its mission to preserve world peace complicated by the ideological divisions of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Its peacekeeping operations primarily involved unarmed military observers and lightly armed troops focused on monitoring, reporting, and confidence-building. UN membership experienced significant growth following widespread decolonization efforts beginning in the 1960s, leading to the independence of 80 former colonies. By the 1970s, the UN's budget for economic and social development programs impressively surpassed its spending on peacekeeping efforts, indicating a shift in focus. After the Cold War's end, the UN further expanded its field operations, undertaking a diverse array of complex global tasks.

The UN is structured around six principal organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. Beyond these core organs, the broader UN System encompasses a multitude of specialized agencies, funds, and programs, such as the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme, UNESCO, and UNICEF. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations can be granted consultative status with ECOSOC and other agencies, allowing them to participate in the UN's vital work.

The chief administrative officer of the UN is the Secretary-General, a role currently held by Portuguese politician and diplomat António Guterres, who commenced his first five-year term on January 1, 2017, and was re-elected on June 8, 2021. The organization is financed through assessed and voluntary contributions generously provided by its member states. While the UN, its officers, and agencies have been honored with numerous Nobel Peace Prizes, evaluations of its overall effectiveness have been mixed. Some commentators hail the organization as an indispensable force for peace and human development, while others, conversely, have criticized it as ineffective, biased, or even corrupt, sparking ongoing debates about its role and impact in a complex world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Armenia

Where is Armenia located?
Armenia is a landlocked country situated in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia, within the Caucasus region.
What is the capital of Armenia?
The capital and largest city of Armenia is Yerevan.
When did Armenia adopt Christianity as its official religion?
Armenia famously became the first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD.
When did modern Armenia gain independence?
The modern Republic of Armenia gained its independence in 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Who created the Armenian alphabet?
The unique Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD.

Frequently Asked Questions About The United Nations

What is the main purpose of the United Nations?
The UN's main purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
When was the UN established?
The UN was established on October 24, 1945, after its Charter was adopted on June 25, 1945.
Where is the UN headquarters located?
The UN is headquartered on international territory in New York City.
How many member states does the UN have?
The UN currently has 193 member states, with South Sudan being the most recent addition in 2011.
Who is the current Secretary-General of the UN?
The current Secretary-General is Portuguese politician and diplomat António Guterres.