The United Nations Headquarters in New York is the principal administrative and diplomatic centre of the United Nations. The complex brings together the UN Secretariat and provides the main meeting venue for bodies such as the General Assembly and Security Council, while representatives of Member States work through their permanent missions in New York. People searching for the UN headquarters address often need practical information for official correspondence, public inquiries, guided visits, media work, academic research or institutional communication. Because the United Nations has major offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi as well, it is important to distinguish the New York Headquarters from those other UN duty stations. This guide gives the current headquarters address, location, main telephone details, public-inquiry email, visitor guidance and the correct way to route different types of questions.
Quick About UN Headquarters
| Details | Information |
| Organisation | United Nations |
| Short Name | UN |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters City | New York City, United States |
| Main Headquarters Address | 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA |
| Main Telephone | +1 212 963 1234 |
| Public Inquiries Email | Inquiries2@un.org |
| Official Website | un.org |
| Office Type | Global Headquarters |
UN Headquarters Address
The United Nations Headquarters is located in Manhattan on the East Side of New York City, along the East River. Official UN documents use 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 as the Headquarters mailing address. The wider complex occupies the area around First Avenue and includes the Secretariat Building, General Assembly Building, Conference Building and other facilities used for diplomatic and administrative work.
| Particular | Details |
| Office Name | United Nations Headquarters |
| Street Address | 405 East 42nd Street |
| Borough | Manhattan |
| City | New York City |
| State / ZIP | New York 10017 |
| Country | United States of America |
Postal Address: United Nations Headquarters, 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA.
Official mail should identify the relevant department, office or staff member whenever possible. Sending a general letter simply to ‘United Nations Headquarters’ can delay routing because the UN Secretariat contains many departments and specialised contact points.
UN Headquarters Location
The headquarters stands in Midtown East, one of Manhattan’s main diplomatic and commercial areas. The site is beside the East River and close to Grand Central Terminal, making it relatively easy to reach by public transport from other parts of New York City.
- Area: Midtown East, Manhattan, New York City.
- Main approach: First Avenue and the East 42nd Street area.
- Nearby transport hub: Grand Central Terminal provides subway and rail connections.
- Visitor access: Public tours and visitor entry follow separate security and ticketing procedures, so visitors should check the UN Visitors website before travelling.
UN Headquarters Contact Number
The main United Nations Headquarters telephone number published on official UN material is +1 212 963 1234. It functions as a central switchboard rather than a universal helpdesk for every UN agency, programme or application.
| Contact Purpose | Contact Details |
| UN Headquarters Main Telephone | +1 212 963 1234 |
| Public Inquiries | Use the UN Public Inquiries contact form or Inquiries2@un.org |
| Wrongdoing / OIOS Hotline | +1 212 963 1111 |
| Official Website | un.org |
For questions involving a specific UN agency such as UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP or UNHCR, contact that organisation directly. Those bodies maintain their own offices, telephone numbers and inquiry channels even though they are part of the wider UN system.
UN Headquarters Email Id and Online Contact
For general questions about the United Nations, the Public Inquiries team provides an official web contact form. UN pages also identify Inquiries2@un.org for general inquiries. Employment applications, media requests, permissions and misconduct reports should not be sent to the general inbox when a dedicated channel exists.
- General questions: Use the UN Public Inquiries form or Inquiries2@un.org.
- Jobs: Apply through the official UN Careers portal; do not email resumes to general inquiries.
- Media: Use the UN Spokesperson and media accreditation contact channels.
- Misconduct or fraud: Use the Office of Internal Oversight Services reporting system rather than the general inbox.
How to Reach UN Headquarters
New York’s public transport network is usually the most practical way to reach Midtown East because parking around the UN area can be limited and traffic conditions change throughout the day.
- By Subway/Rail: Travel to the Grand Central-42 Street area and continue east toward First Avenue.
- By Bus: Several Manhattan bus routes serve First Avenue, Second Avenue and the 42nd Street corridor.
- By Taxi/Ride-hailing: Use the exact destination and confirm whether you need the visitor entrance or an official meeting entrance.
- For Tours: Check the current UN Visitors information before arrival because reservation, identification and security requirements apply.
UN Headquarters vs Other Major UN Offices
The New York Headquarters is the UN’s principal headquarters, but it is not the only major United Nations duty station.
| UN Headquarters – New York | Other Major UN Offices |
| Principal political and administrative headquarters | Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi host major UN offices |
| Home to the General Assembly and Security Council meeting facilities | Other offices focus on important regional and specialised functions |
| Main Secretariat leadership is based here | Many UN agencies and programmes have separate headquarters elsewhere |
A person’s correct contact point depends on the organisation and issue. For example, UNESCO is headquartered in Paris and UNICEF has its own headquarters offices in New York.
When Should You Contact UN Headquarters?
- General public inquiries about the United Nations and its work.
- Official correspondence intended for a UN Secretariat department based in New York.
- Questions specifically directed by an official UN page to a New York headquarters office.
- Visitor, meeting or media matters handled through the relevant headquarters service.
Do not use the UN Headquarters switchboard for emergencies, visa matters, immigration questions or routine customer-service issues belonging to another organisation.
Important Points Before Contacting the UN
- Identify the exact UN department, agency or programme before sending a message.
- Use official un.org pages to confirm current contact details.
- For visits, check security and reservation requirements in advance.
- Do not pay anyone who claims they can secure a UN job or appointment for a fee.
- Include a clear subject and relevant reference number in official correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva or New York?
The principal United Nations Headquarters is in New York City. Geneva is one of the UN’s major offices and hosts many international organisations and UN activities, but it is not the main UN Headquarters. Vienna and Nairobi are also major UN duty stations.
Q. Can the public visit UN Headquarters in New York?
Yes, the UN offers visitor programmes and guided tours, subject to current schedules, ticket availability and security procedures. Visitors should check official visitor information before travelling rather than assuming that ordinary office access is available without registration.
Q. Is Inquiries2@un.org used for every UN-related problem?
No. It is a general public-inquiry contact. Job applications, media requests, agency-specific questions, procurement matters and misconduct reports have separate channels. Using the specialised contact point usually leads to a faster and more appropriate response.
Q. Are UNICEF and UNESCO offices inside the UN Headquarters?
They are part of the wider UN system but have their own headquarters arrangements. UNICEF has global headquarters functions in New York at UNICEF House, while UNESCO is headquartered in Paris, France.
Q. What should I write on a letter being sent to UN Headquarters?
Include the recipient’s department, office or name where known, followed by United Nations Headquarters and the full New York postal address. A specific recipient helps the UN mail system route correspondence more efficiently than a letter addressed only to the organisation.
