Why is UN headquarters in New York?

[Armenum]

I always wondered this, wouldn't it be more logical for the headquarters of the UN to be in a truly neutral country, like Switzerland or Austria? (I know UN has a centre in Switzerland but it isn't the same). Switzerland is non-NATO, non-EU, constitutionally neutral, and also highly developed; it makes in my opinion a perfect place to have the international territory and world headquarters of the UN. Also, Switzerland is closer to most countries than New York so there's an advantage there to.

[Farnan]

The UN was not always as it is now.

The UN was founded as a way to make permanent the WWII Alliance. Switzerland was not a member of the Alliance (and wasn't in the UN till 1999).

[MAXlMUS]

besides, there's not much to do in swiss except skiing

[pchalk]

Switzerland was not a member of the Alliance (and wasn't in the UN till 1999).

tells how little i ever cared to know about the UN. the last time i checked the swiss still were never members. but then again the last time i checked was probably before 1999

[Davebob]

I hate Switzerland, someone should invade them and see how neutral they stay.

[justicar5]

I hate Switzerland, someone should invade them and see how neutral they stay.

good luck with that plan, considering the entire country is a natural fortress, and armed to the teeth. Anyway AFAIK i's in New York because the Rockafela's gave them the land.

[Davebob]

good luck with that plan, considering the entire country is a natural fortress, and armed to the teeth. Anyway AFAIK i's in New York because the Rockafela's gave them the land.

Ever heard of bombs?

[Stavroforos]

Because as was said, it started off as the victors of WWII, and the US was the main victor of the Western front.

Why is it there now? Because it's the capital of the world, so it makes sense.

[Armenum]

Because as was said, it started off as the victors of WWII, and the US was the main victor of the Western front.

Why is it there now? Because it's the capital of the world, so it makes sense.

But should an outdated decision still stand? I understand New York is a international city itself, but the country has a whole has to be also considered not only the city. Switzerland has both a history and identity based on neutrality, truly international territory should exist in such a country. What about in a microstate such as Luxembourg or Lichtenstein?

[Stavroforos]

But should an outdated decision still stand? I understand New York is a international city itself, but the country has a whole has to be also considered not only the city. Switzerland has both a history and identity based on neutrality, truly international territory should exist in such a country. What about in a microstate such as Luxembourg or Lichtenstein?

If you want the UN to reverse outdated decisions, they should be getting rid of the Security Council as well.

[Tiberios]

But should an outdated decision still stand? I understand New York is a international city itself, but the country has a whole has to be also considered not only the city. Switzerland has both a history and identity based on neutrality, truly international territory should exist in such a country. What about in a microstate such as Luxembourg or Lichtenstein?

It's too much trouble and would take years to accomplish. There's simply too little to gain from such a move when compared to the costs and time.

[Armenum]

Yes, I forgot that the UN is in a bad financial state. How good can you be if your income is donations based...

[removeduser_4536284751384]

Yes, I forgot that the UN is in a bad financial state. How good can you be if your income is donations based...

Eu is donations based

[Farnan]

That would require Millions of dollars, a ton of negotiations, and years to get done. There is no major issues with it being in NYC, and the UN is cash strapped as is.

[Jaketh]

why does it matter? NYC is the capital of the world so it makes sense for the UN to be there

[Armenum]

why does it matter? NYC is the capital of the world so it makes sense for the UN to be there

As I said, it's not the city that should really be accounted for but the country. The symbolism of Untied Nation best suits it in a country like Switzerland than US.

[Jaketh]

As I said, it's not the city that should really be accounted for but the country. The symbolism of Untied Nation best suits it in a country like Switzerland than US.

The US runs the UN so it makes sense for the UN to be in the US

[skh1]

The US runs the UN…

This would be news to the United States.

[Boyar Son]

This would be news to the United States.

Old news that is

[xcorps]

The US runs the UN so it makes sense for the UN to be in the US

Interesting.
What facts do you have to back this up?
The Secretary General isn't from the US.
First Committee has no Americans on its chairs.
Second Committee has no Americans on its chairs.
Third Committee has no Americans on its chairs.
Fourth Committee has no Americans on its chairs.
Fifth Committee has no Americans on its chairs.
No Americans on the Board of Auditors.

How is the US running the UN if it isn't running the UN?
Maybe you meant that the US is providing the most funding.