UNA-China in Brief-中国联合国协会

About Us

UNA-China in Brief

About the UNA-China

I. Overview

The United Nations Association of China (UNA-China) is the only nationwide non-governmental organization in China devoted to the promotion of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Its membership is open to the general public and social entities that are enthusiastic about the cause of the UN. UNA-China’s Board consists of senior diplomats, renowned scholars, entrepreneurs and social activists who are keen on promoting the cause of the UN.

UNA-China is one of the founding members of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA), and the first NGO in China granted General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is associated with the Department of Global Communication (DGC) of the UN and also a full member of the Conference of the Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO).

The purposes of UNA-China are to promote the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to disseminate the UN knowledge, to promote understanding, research and popularity of UN endeavors and activities, to enhance mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among peoples of all nations, and to contribute to the maintenance of world peace and common prosperity. In 2021, UNA-China was awarded the title of “National Advanced Social Organization”.

UNA-China is headquartered in Beijing and headed by a president and a vice-president. The Secretariat, led by the Director-General and his/her Deputy, is responsible for the daily work. The current President of the UNA-China is Amb. WU Ken, who is President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The current Vice-President and Director-General of UNA-China is Ms. HU Wenli, who was the Deputy Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

II. Focus of Work

1. Conducting research on the UN issues

Each year, UNA-China holds seminars to conduct research on hotspot issues such as peacekeeping operations, the UN reform, sustainable development, human rights, exchange and mutual learning of civilizations etc. In recent years, UNA-China has held international seminars focusing on the UN Peacekeeping Operations, the 75th Anniversary of the UN: Strengthening Multilateralism for a Better Future, Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN with the theme of “Join Hands for a Shared Future”, Reviewing Historical Moments & Upholding Equity and Justice - the Significance of A/RES/2758 (XXVI), Green Recovery in Post-Pandemic Era, Promoting Global Development Initiative for a Shared Future. Besides, UNA-China has also held side events of the Human Rights Council, topics including “Racism against Asian Americans: Scapegoating and Double Standards”, “Protection of the Right to Life and Health in the context of COVID-19 Pandemic”, “Practise Democracy Based on National Conditions, Respect the Right to Choose a Democratic Model”, “Strengthen Global Human Rights Governance, Promote the Common Values of Humanity”, “Promote Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, Build an Open and Inclusive World”, “Global Human Rights Governance and China’s Experience”, “Contribution of the Chinese Modernization to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”, etc.

To strengthen friendship with other countries, UNA-China exchanged visits with UNAs and think tanks of more than 10 countries, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Inida and Ethiopia etc.

UNA-China has published a series of books on the UN and multilateral diplomatic issues, such as United Nations: Towards a Harmonious World (2008), China’s UN Diplomacy (2009), United Nations (2009), Diplomacy Leads to World Harmony (2012), The 70 Years of UN: Achievements and Challenges (2015) and A Practical Guide to China National Model UN Conference (2019 Edition) and The Road of Cooperation: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China Restoring Its Lawful Seat at the United Nations (2021) etc. UNA-China translated and published the United Nations Guide to Model UN in 2025.

2. Participation in activities of the UN and international NGOs

UNA-China actively participates in the work of the WFUNA and leaders of UNA-China have been the member of the WFUNA Executive Committee. Ms. HU Wenli, Vice-President and Director-General of UNA-China, is the current member of the WFUNA Executive Committee. In addition, UNA-China attended international conferences such as the Annual NGO Meeting of the DGC of the UN, the Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), the BRICS Civil Society Forum, the G20 Civil Society Conference, the Asia-Europe People’s Forum, and the East Asian Forum on the UN Peacekeeping Operations etc.

UNA-China has established a regional exchange mechanism with UN research institutions from Japan and the ROK. UNA-China, UNA-Japan and UNA-ROK hold the Trilateral Presidents’ Meeting and the Youth Forum in rotation. UNA-China, Japan Association of UN Studies (JAUNS) and Korean Academic Council on the UN System (KACUNS) take turns to host the East Asian Seminar on the UN System.

3. Disseminating the UN knowledge and promoting the general public’s engagement in UN affairs

In order to promote the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, UNA-China actively supports nationwide universities and high schools to hold the Model UN activities. Since 2004, UNA-China has held 21 consecutive China National Model United Nations Conferences (CNMUN), with the participation of more than 6,000 students from over 200 universities. UNA-China also co-hosted the China National Model UN Conference for High School Students with the Central Committee of the Communist Young League. UNA-China has been holding National UN Knowledge Contest for College Students annually since 2016.

To cultivate more reserve talents of international civil servants, UNA-China has co-hosted 14 consecutive China International Civil Servants Capacity Building Programmes since 2011. UNA-China invited senior diplomats, UN officials, experts and scholars to give lectures on the UN to the trainees and college students across the country. They brief the UN knowledge, analyze international hotspot issues and share their own diplomatic experience, from which young students strengthen their understanding of the UN affairs and China’s multilateral diplomacy.

In addition, UNA-China also proactively mobilizes the Board Members to give lectures to college students and address at seminars. In these activities, UNA-China Board Members actively promote Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, as well as China’s foreign policies. As such, UNA-China helps universities and think tanks to enhance research on the UN issues and international organizations and further advances the training work of reserve talents for international organizations.

(January, 2026)