The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 following the end of World War II. Its primary goal is to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations, as well as to foster social and economic development, human rights, and environmental sustainability. The UN's founding charter outlines its four main purposes: to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, to achieve international cooperation in solving global problems, and to serve as a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.