The United Nations (UN) was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War by the victorious Allied powers to maintain international peace and security. The main organs of the UN, all established in 1945, are the General Assembly (UNGA), Security Council (UNSC), Economic and Social Council (UNESC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), and Secretariat. The UN also administers a series of specialised agencies. Between 1945 and 1961, these included the World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). 

This volume contains records relating to the UN and its activities during the same period. These records come from British government departments—the Board of Customs and Excise, Board of Trade, Central Office of Information, Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, International Labour Division and Overseas Department, and War Office—the Brussels Treaty Organisation, and the UN itself.