The United Nations (UN) is an international intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations on 26 June 1945 with the articulated mission of maintaining international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among states, to promote international cooperation, and to serve as a centre for harmonizing the actions of states in achieving those goals. The Nobel Peace Prize 2001, announced October 12, 2001. United Nations and Kofi Annan, “for their work for a better organized and more peaceful world”. Kofi Annan: born 1938, Kumasi, Gold Coast (now Ghana). Wiki link Wiki link Data: the Nobel Foundation (CC0).