The United Nations Office at Nairobi
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is one of the four major duty stations of the United Nations, alongside Headquarters in New York and the Offices at Geneva and Vienna.
Established in 1996, UNON serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Kenya and provides administrative, conference and operational support services to United Nations entities based in Nairobi.
As the only UN headquarters in Africa and the Global South, UNON plays a vital role in advancing sustainable development, multilateral cooperation and global dialogue.
The UN Family Based in Nairobi
Nairobi is home to one of the largest United Nations communities in the world and serves as the UN headquarters in Africa and the Global South.
The city hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), as well as numerous UN agencies, funds and programmes operating nationally, regionally and globally.
The proximity of UN entities in Nairobi fosters collaboration, innovation and coordinated action on global priorities such as sustainable development, climate action, urbanization, humanitarian response and economic transformation.
Through shared services, conference facilities and common premises, UNON supports the work of the UN family in Kenya and beyond.
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The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Kenya and is one of the four major duty stations of the United Nations, alongside Headquarters in New York and the Offices at Geneva and Vienna.
As the only United Nations headquarters in Africa and the Global South, UNON plays a central role in supporting multilateral cooperation, international dialogue and sustainable development. The Office maintains liaison with permanent missions, the host Government, regional organizations, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other entities of the United Nations system based in Kenya and across the region.
UNON provides administrative, conference and operational support services to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), while also delivering joint and common services to other United Nations organizations operating in Kenya. Through these functions, UNON enables the effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities at the national, regional and global levels.
As a major convention and conference centre, UNON manages and coordinates meetings, conferences and intergovernmental processes, facilitating dialogue and decision-making on some of the world's most pressing challenges. The Office also provides security and safety services for United Nations personnel and facilities and supports public information and outreach activities that promote awareness of the work of the United Nations.
UNON was established on 1 January 1996 and is headed by a Director-General at the level of Under-Secretary-General, who is accountable to the Secretary-General and provides overall leadership and management of the Office.