GZERO World Clips
Explaining: the history of the UN headquarters
The History of the UN Headquarters | GZERO World
September 24, 2022
Before it became the headquarters of global cooperation, the site of the UN headquarters in New York was known for its foul smell. That's because slaughterhouses lined the block.
The UN buildings were designed by 11 architects and built in 1947 for the equivalent of $130.2 million in today's money. The territory belongs to no government, and it has its own police force, Ian Bremmer explains on GZERO World.
UN headquarters also features the famous Hall or Flags or the huge General Assembly Hall, where South Korean boy band BTS performed last year, and a first-rate art collection.
Watch the GZERO World episode: How a war-distracted world staves off irreversible damage
More For You
Most Popular
The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, on December 29, 2025.
REUTERS/Juan Carlos Hernandez
There have been several geopolitical shocks this year, yet none have stopped oil prices from plunging, showing how oil markets have become more risk tolerant.
- YouTube
In this "ask ian," Ian Bremmer analyzes Trump’s recent meeting with Zelensky and how close (or far) Russia and Ukraine are from a peace deal.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.