Which Countries Are Not Part Of The United Nations?

Which two countries aren’t UN members?

Vatican City (Holy See) and the State of Palestine are the only two sovereign states not in the United Nations as of 2026.

Right now, just two countries sit in a diplomatic gray zone—they’re not official UN members, yet they’re not exactly excluded either. Instead, they participate as non-member observer states. It’s a unique arrangement that gives them some privileges without full membership rights.

Where are these countries located?

The Holy See is an enclave within Rome, Italy, while the State of Palestine is in the Middle East, primarily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Vatican City isn’t its own country in the traditional sense—it’s actually an independent city-state tucked entirely within Rome, Italy. Think of it like a tiny country inside a bigger one. The State of Palestine, on the other hand, sits in the Middle East, mostly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Ramallah serves as its administrative hub, though East Jerusalem is claimed as its capital. (That claim, though, remains a major point of contention.)

What does observer status actually mean?

Observer status allows these entities to attend UN meetings and receive documents but denies them voting rights on resolutions.

Observer status is like getting an invitation to the party without being asked to vote on the playlist. Both the Holy See and Palestine can attend UN meetings, receive official documents, and even join certain conferences—but they don’t get a say in passing resolutions. It’s a way for the UN to recognize their global roles without giving them full voting power.

What are the key differences between these two entities?

Vatican City covers 0.49 sq km with a population of ~800, while the State of Palestine spans ~6,020 sq km with ~5.5 million people.

How did these countries get observer status?

The Holy See received observer status in 1964; the State of Palestine upgraded from PLO observer mission status in 2012.

The Holy See has had its observer status since 1964, when the UN General Assembly first granted it a permanent observer mission. Palestine’s journey was a bit longer—it operated under a “Palestine Liberation Organization” observer mission since 1974 before finally upgrading to observer state status in 2012. Both have since built strong diplomatic networks, maintaining relations with over 100 countries each. Honestly, the Holy See’s longevity here is pretty impressive—it’s had this status for over six decades.

Do these countries issue their own passports?

Yes—Vatican City issues diplomatic and clergy passports; the State of Palestine issues Palestinian Authority passports.

They sure do. The Holy See issues Vatican passports mainly to its clergy and diplomats, while the State of Palestine issues Palestinian Authority passports to its citizens. These documents help them function as independent entities on the world stage, even without full UN membership.

Which international organizations do they belong to?

The Holy See is in the OSCE; the State of Palestine participates in regional organizations like the Arab League.

Beyond their UN observer roles, both entities hold memberships in other international bodies. The Holy See, for instance, is a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The State of Palestine participates in various regional organizations, reflecting its unique political situation.

Can these countries vote in the UN General Assembly?

No—observer states cannot vote in the UN General Assembly.

Nope. Observer states can attend meetings and receive documents, but they don’t get voting rights. That’s one of the key differences between them and full UN members. It’s a practical limitation, but it doesn’t stop them from having a voice in other ways.

What kind of access do they have to UN resources?

Both can attend UN conferences, receive documents, and participate in treaty negotiations but cannot vote.

Both countries get access to UN documents and can participate in conferences and treaty negotiations. That access lets them stay informed and engaged with global issues, even without full membership. It’s a limited but meaningful level of involvement.

What can visitors see in these countries?

Vatican City offers St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel; Palestine features Bethlehem, Jericho, and Hebron.

Vatican City is a major cultural and religious site—think St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. The State of Palestine offers equally compelling destinations like Bethlehem (birthplace of Jesus), Jericho (one of the world’s oldest cities), and Hebron, all rich in religious and historical significance. If you’re into history or religion, both places are absolutely worth visiting.

Are there travel advisories for these areas?

The U.S. State Department advises caution in the West Bank and Gaza due to ongoing political tensions as of 2026.

Absolutely. The situation in the Middle East remains sensitive, especially in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. As of 2026, the U.S. Department of State still warns travelers to check current conditions before planning trips. Safety can change quickly in these regions, so it’s smart to stay updated.

How do these countries handle diplomacy without UN membership?

They rely on bilateral relations and participation in other international organizations like the OSCE and Arab League.

They rely on bilateral relations and participation in other international organizations. Both maintain embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide, allowing them to engage with other countries directly. It’s not the same as having a vote in the UN, but it still gives them a platform to be heard.

What’s the political significance of their observer status?

Observer status reflects their unique global roles: the Holy See’s spiritual influence and Palestine’s contested statehood claim.

Their status reflects their unique positions in global affairs. The Holy See’s observer role acknowledges its spiritual influence across millions of Catholics, while Palestine’s status recognizes its contested but widely supported claim to statehood. Neither could realistically become full UN members right now, so observer status gives them a way to participate without resolving their underlying political challenges.

Could these countries ever become full UN members?

Full membership remains unlikely in the near term due to legal and political obstacles for both entities.

It’s possible, but unlikely in the near future. For the Holy See, becoming a full member would require redefining its role as both a religious entity and a sovereign state—something that’s legally complicated. For Palestine, full membership would depend on resolving its long-standing territorial disputes with Israel. Both situations would need major political breakthroughs before the UN could consider expanding its membership.

The United Nations recognizes the State of Palestine’s observer status through UN Resolution 67/19. The Holy See’s observer mission is documented in UN General Assembly records. Population and area figures are based on CIA World Factbook estimates.

How many countries are members of the UN?

Right now, the United Nations has 193 Member States as its core members. These countries work together under the UN Charter, which has guided the organization since it was founded back in 1945.

What nations belong to the United Nations?

What countries are included in UN?

Who controls the UN?

The UN’s top executive is the Secretary-General , currently António Guterres, a Portuguese politician and diplomat who started his first term on 1 January 2017 and was re-elected on 8 June 2021. The organization runs on money from its member states, both through required payments and voluntary contributions.

Can a country leave the UN?

The UN Charter doesn’t actually spell out a way for countries to leave. Some legal experts have wondered if it’s even allowed under the current rules.

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Who are the big 5 in the UN?

The Security Council’s most powerful members are the five permanent ones— China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States . Each can block any resolution with a veto.

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Is Syria member of UN?

Syria rejoined the United Nations on 13 October 1961 after regaining its independence. It had originally been a founding member back in 1945.

Why is China allowed in the UN?

China earned its place as a permanent Security Council member because of its long fight against aggression during World War II. Despite some pushback—especially from Winston Churchill—it became one of the UN’s founding members in 1945.

Is Iran in the UN?

Yes, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been an active UN member since the organization’s early days. The UN opened an office in Tehran back in 1950, making it one of the first information centers worldwide. Iran has worked closely with the UN on development programs through agencies like UNICEF.

Is America in the UN?

The United States was there from the very beginning—it’s one of the UN’s original charter members and holds one of the five permanent Security Council seats. From mid-2016 to mid-2017, the U.S. covered nearly 29% of the peacekeeping budget. It’s played a key role in shaping the organization since its creation.

Did the US withdraw from the UN?

Not from the UN itself, but under President Trump the U.S. did pull out of two UN-related bodies: UNESCO in October 2017 and the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018. Both decisions were later reversed by President Biden.