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The credibility of the United Nations Organization was badly damaged
early in the century, when it proved helpless to prevent several major wars
and international conflicts. This process culminated in 2025 when the United
States withdrew from the organization entirely. U.N. headquarters relocated
to Geneva, but the organization never recovered. The final meeting of
the Security Council was held in 2034.

In 2100, many people would be surprised to learn that the United
Nations still exists. In fact the organization never officially disbanded. Many
nations continue to regard at least some U.N. institutions as useful, and are
willing to maintain their existence. The General Assembly continues to meet
to this day, with about one-third of the world’s nations regularly sending delegates.
According to the U.N. Charter, the Assembly decides most questions
by the agreement of those present and voting – so even though many member
nations no longer send delegates, those that do can still carry on the
Assembly’s business. Specifically, the Assembly continues to hold regular
elections for the post of Secretary-General, and it manages the budget of the
truncated organization.

Several U.N. agencies still operate, maintained by the Secretariat’s international
civil service. The U.N. no longer recruits peacekeeping forces from
its member nations, but when the budget permits it sometimes hires military
force. Such employment of mercenaries is often controversial (and represents
a significant departure from earlier U.N. policy), but it has effectively
resolved several small conflicts.