Relocation of UN Headquarters

Background

The headquarters of the United Nations is currently located in New York City. Built in 1948, it is a 16-acre site that is considered international territory, meaning that it belongs to no specific nation. The complex contains four main buildings: the General Assembly building, the Secretariat building, the Conference building, and a library. It has been a popular tourist destination since its construction; over 37 million people total have taken guided tours (3+4).

A treaty between the United Nations and the United States allowed for the construction of the headquarters in New York City. Section 23 of the treaty states, “The seat of the United Nations shall not be removed from the headquarters district unless the United Nations should so decide.” Section 24 of the treaty states,

This agreement shall cease to be in force if the seat of the United Nations is removed from the territory of the United States, except for such provisions as may be applicable in connection with the orderly termination of the operations of the United Nations at its seat in the United States and the disposition of its property therein (6).

Hence, the United Nations has discretion as to where its headquarters is located, and United Nations Headquarters may be moved out of the United States.

At a global summit on hunger in September of 2005, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez questioned the legitimacy of the United States’ war with Iraq, and stated that the United Nations should move out of the United States based on accused violations of United Nations resolutions. "That's why we propose to this assembly that the United Nations leave this country, which is not respectful of the very resolutions of this assembly," Chavez said. Chavez proposed that United Nations Headquarters be moved to an international city, preferably in the Southern Hemisphere where many of the world’s developing countries are located (1).

UN Action

In November of 2005, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed renovations to the United Nations Headquarters to be completed by 2014 (2). If the plan is approved by the General Assembly, then it is implied that United Nations Headquarters will not be moved for some time to come.

Possible Solutions

There are two possible solutions to the question of moving United Nations Headquarters. First, the status quo could be maintained, and the United Nations Headquarters would remain in New York City. Second, the United Nations Headquarters could be moved out of New York City and likely out of the United States. If the latter occurs, then a new location would be needed, funding would be needed to build it, and a plan would need to be created for the transition period between the headquarters.

Study Questions

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of moving United Nations Headquarters out of the United States?

2. Are there any other possible solutions to this issue other than the one mentioned above? Be creative.

3. If a new UN Headquarters were to be built, what would be the ideal location for it? Should it be in a developing country or in an industrialized country?

Resources-All Accessed on December, 1st, 2005

1. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002500782_chavez17.html

“Chávez wins applause at UN after slap at US”

A news report summarizing Hugo Chavez’s call for the relocation of United Nations Headquarters.

2. http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20051118-124457-6120r

“Annan Suggests UN Headquarters Update”

A news report summarizing the renovation plan offered by Kofi Annan.

3. http://www.un.org/tours

United Nations Guided Tours

The website that provides information about guided tours of United Nations Headquarters also provides some more general information and photos of United Nations Headquarters.

4. http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/untour/subunh.htm

United Nations Cyberschoolbus Tour of United Nations Headquarters

Addresses some of the history of United Nations Headquarters and contains photographs of some of the interesting features of it.

5. http://www.nfpl.library.on.ca/nfplindex/show.asp?id=95751&b=1

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Public Library

An alternate proposed site to United Nations Headquarters was on Navy Island between the United States and Canada near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

6. http://www.un.int/usa/host_hqs.htm

United Nations Headquarters Agreement

The full treaty between the United Nations and the United States regarding the location of United Nations Headquarters is located here.