un building visit

United Nations Headquarters

• Grand Central – 42nd St • 10 min walk
• Grand Central • 10 min walk

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United Nations Headquarters - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Welcome to the United Nations

Take a tour of the Palais des Nations and learn about the United Nations and the UN's work in Geneva. Our tour guides will inform you about the organization and its activities to maintain world peace, foster international relations and development.

You will discover the Palais des Nations, a unique building, formerly the headquarters of the League of Nations. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Due to the ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. Please read the below information carefully and check this page regularly for updates. 

Important Information

During the renovation work, guided tours are temporarily not suitable for persons with reduced mobility., please be informed that tours for individual visitors are currently limited and sell out very quickly. we encourage you to check our website regularly. thank you for your understanding..

Before the tour

Once you have your ticket(s).

As soon as you receive your ticket(s), every person in your group needs to register for an access badge. The registration link for access badges is on the ticket(s). Please register as soon as your receive your ticket(s). Participants will then receive a digital badge with a QR code sent to their email address which they can print out and bring along or store on their mobile phone. The QR code will be scanned on the day to enter the Palais des Nations.

On the tour day

• All visitors must carry a valid passport (UN Member or Observer State). ID cards from the Schengen Zone are also accepted. Passports or ID cards will be checked at the entrance gate.
• Please be at the meeting point  mentioned in your booking confirmation,   30 minutes before your tour to allow time for security screening and transfer to the Visitors’ Center.  

The guided tour lasts for approximately one hour.

Groups can reserve a tour in numerous languages, including Bulgarian, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German (and Swiss German), Italian, Japanese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Slovak. 

• Adults  (Ages 18+): 22 CHF
• University students, senior citizens and disabled persons  (University students must show valid student ID): 18 CHF
• School Children and Youth  (Aged 14 to 17): 12 CHF
• School Children and Youth  (Aged 6 to 13): 11 CHF
• Teachers  (For every 10 school children booked, - 1 teacher is free. Extra teachers should be booked as adults)
• Private VIP Tour : 280 CHF
• The Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, decorated by famous artist Miquel Barcelò.
• The library of the Palais des Nations and the UN Museum.
• Part of the Ariana Park and the monument commemorating the conquest of outer space.
• A film about the history and features of the Assembly Hall, the largest room in the Palais des Nations.
• The plaza and entrance of our new state-of the-art and sustainable Building H.
• You will discover the Sustainable Development Goals.
• You will learn how a conference works at the United Nations.

Visitors Entrance Palais des Nations - Pregny Gate 14 Avenue de la Paix 1211 Genève, Suisse

+41 (0)22 917 48 96 [email protected]

Palais des Nations transit stop is  Appia .

Enter the Palais des Nations through the Visitor's entrance at Pregny Gate, on 14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross building and next to the Geneva Hotel School (please see  map  here).

The United Nations Office at Geneva is a workplace. Delegates hold their meetings where visitors go on guided tour. Visitors are therefore kindly reminded to stay with the tour guide at all times, to keep noise levels down, and to respect the professional working environment of the United Nations.

Please arrive 45 minutes before your tour.

​​​​​​​Public transport

Transports Publics Genevois Palais des Nations transit stop are Appia and Nations. Access from Cornavin railway station:

• Bus lines 8, 20, 60 ("Appia" stop)
• Bus line 5 or tram line 15 (“Nations” stop), then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate

Access from Cointrin airport:

• Bus line 5 (“Nations” stop), then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate

Other bus lines with stop at “Nations”: 11 and 22, then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate

In Geneva, unireso public-transport tickets must be purchased prior to boarding a tram, bus or ferry. Ticket machines are available at most stops. Travel cards or passes can be purchased at the main TPG centres (Rive, Cornavin and Bachet de Pesay).  Please note tickets are not available on the bus itself. Hotels, youth hostels or campsites typically offer a Geneva Transport Card, which allows use of public transport in Geneva free of charge during the period of stay.

Geneva public transport

Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to park inside the premises of the Palais des Nations. A large underground parking is available at the Place des Nations, next to the United Nations, and can be accessed via Rue de Varembé.

Additional Information

Accessibility.

The Palais tour is approximately 2KM (1.24 Miles) of walking and can be difficult for youth or those with mobility issues.

As the Palais des Nations undergoes a complete renovation, areas of the tour will be difficult to access for those who need assistance.

Holiday Calendar 2024

Official Holidays for  2024  at the United Nations Office at Geneva:

Download UN Geneva 2024 holiday schedule

Renovations of the Palais des Nations

The Palais des Nations is currently under renovation but guided tours continue in a limited capacity. We build on your understanding that the tour routes may change. 

Security Information

Visitors should plan for approximately 40 minutes for security screening upon arrival.

Visitors should not be carrying luggage or large bags.

Due to certain events, Visitors’ Service may need to close at short notice, this will not concern pre-registered groups.  Our tour route and schedule may be affected by certain meetings, meaning some rooms may not be accessible, without prior notice.

Please check the updated security information before your tour. 

Find out more

Tour the United Nations Headquarters in NYC

Ben Hider/Getty Images

Strolling through the fascinating corridors of international diplomacy at Manhattan's United Nations Headquarters is an educational journey not to be missed. Interestingly, while set on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, fronting the East River, the U.N.'s 18-acre parcel of land is considered "international territory" that belongs to members of the United Nations and is, therefore, not technically part of the United States. An hour-long tour here offers enriching insight into the important work of the United Nations organization.

What Will I See?

The best (and only) way to see the inner workings of the United Nations Headquarters is via guided tour. Approximately hour-long guided tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:45 pm. Tours start in the General Assembly building and afford a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the organization, including a visit to the General Assembly Hall. The General Assembly Hall is the largest room in the United Nations, with seating capacity for more than 1,800 people. In this room, representatives of all 193 Member States gather to discuss pressing issues that require international cooperation.

Tours also take in the Security Council Chamber, as well as the Trusteeship Council Chamber and the Economic and Social Council Chamber (note that access may be limited to rooms if meetings are in progress). En route, tour participants will learn more about the history and structure of the organization, including the scope of issues that the United Nations regularly deals with, including human rights, peace and security, disarmament, and more.

Note that a kid-friendly Children's Tour, geared towards children ages 5 to 12, is also available for booking with advance online purchase; all participating kids must be accompanied by an adult or chaperone.  

What Is the History?

The United Nations Headquarters complex was completed in New York City in 1952 on land donated to the city by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The buildings contain chambers for the Security Council and General Assembly, as well as offices for the Secretary-General and other international civil servants. The complex received an extensive overhaul in celebration of the United Nations' 70th anniversary in 2015.

Where Is It Located? 

Fronting the East River, the United Nations Headquarters is located on 1st Avenue between East 42nd and East 48th Streets; the main visitors' entrance is at 46th Street and 1st Avenue. Note that all visitors need to first get a security pass to visit the complex; passes are issued at the check-in office at 801 1st Avenue (at the corner of 45th Street).

Guided tours are available on weekdays only; the UN Visitors Lobby with exhibits and UN Visitor Center remains open on weekends (though not in January and February). It's highly recommended to book your tickets for guided tours online in advance; a limited number of tickets may be available for purchase at the United Nations on the day of your visit. Note that children under 5 years of age are not permitted on the tours. (Tip: Plan to arrive at least an hour in advance of your scheduled tour to allow for time to go through the security screening.) There is a Visitors Café serving food and beverages (including coffee) on-site.

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The UN Headquarters in New York

Visiting the united nations headquarters in new york.

You've probably seen meetings at the United Nations headquarters on television – that’s where the 15 member states of the Security Council meet. But not many people know that this large building, located in New York City along the East River in Manhattan, is actually open to the public. It is possible to take a tour of the UN headquarters in New York, and it is even one of the most visited places in the city, welcoming more than a million people every year. 

In this post, you will find out everything you need to know to prepare your visit to the UN headquarters in New York . This is an activity you can unhesitatingly add to your list of things to visit, especially if you don't know what to do in New York yet.

THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS

The United Nations was founded in 1945 , in the aftermath of the Second World War, by the representatives of 51 countries. The purpose of this organisation is to help coordinate international operations, ensure the maintenance of peace, and improve security, economy and respect for human rights.

There are currently 193 member states of the UN, and the organisation’s headquarters are located in New York. The headquarters, however, are not U.S. territory – the territory belongs jointly to all member states.

The UN headquarters are actually composed of 4 major buildings:  the General Assembly, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, the Secretariat Building and the Conference Hall Building . In front of the entrance to the complex are the 193 flags  of the UN member countries, which are arranged in alphabetical order and form a large arc. To symbolise the equality of all member states, all of these flags share the exact same distance between them. 

THE ENTRANCE TO THE UN HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

You do not need a ticket to access the building's inner courtyard and main lobby – but should you want to go further, you must first go to the  visitors' desk , which is located at the corner of First Avenue and 45th Street. You will be asked for your reservation and a valid ID. You will need to arrive at this desk at least 45 minutes before your visit.

Once you have passed through security, you will receive your Security Pass, after which you can cross the street to the main building. More security checks await you before the tour begins, but in the central  hall  you will already see many works of art that have been donated to the UN by heads of state. You can also see photo exhibits  and videos that showcase the work of the UN and address issues such as children's rights and global warming.

Your guided tour will begin from this central hall.

THE GUIDED TOUR OF THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS

The visits of the UN buildings are done during the week and last about one hour. The tour begins in the lobby with a brief presentation of the United  Nations , including its history, member states and missions.

You will then have the opportunity to discover the famous conference rooms that can be seen during television news. It is there that meetings and debates on often very difficult topics are held. One of the most famous of these rooms is the Trusteeship Council Room , one of the six major organs of the UN, which is responsible for making decisions regarding the territories under the UN's trusteeship.

During your visit, you will not be able to visit the rooms that are occupied by parliamentarians – but never fear: a projection screen will have been placed at the entrance of the rooms concerned, thereby allowing you to follow live the sessions in progress.

The highlight of your visit will be the United Nations General Assembly Hall , which has received many world leaders, and where important decisions are regularly taken on international security issues.

To finish your visit, you can go to the store, where you can find books and souvenirs of all kinds. This store is located in the basement, and you can also find a restaurant and the post office right next to it.

In this post office you can find UN stamps, which are only usable in the territory of the United Nations, and which can be used to send a most original postcard to your relatives.

BOOK YOUR GUIDED TOUR OF THE UN BUILDING

The tours are offered in six official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). If you wish to take a guided tour in one of these foreign languages , I recommend booking your tour at least 2 months prior to your visit .  You should know that for security reasons, the tours are done in small groups only, and due to the building’s popularity, you will have a hard time finding a place in a tour, if you wait too long before booking one.

Even if you want to take a tour in English, I advise you to book a few weeks before the date of your choice.

Reservations are made online on the official UN website . As you make your reservation, you will have to choose the time of your visit. The United Nations building is open to the public   from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4:45 pm.

RATES FOR THE UN HEADQUARTERS TOUR

• For adults, the price of the visit is   $ 22 (£17) per person
• For people over 60 years old and students (upon presentation of their student card), the visit costs $ 15 (£11.50)
• For children aged 5 to 12, the tour costs $ 12 (£9)
• Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to visit

HOW TO GET TO THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS?

The UN headquarters is located in Manhattan 's Midtown neighbourhood, right on the East River. To get there, you can take the 42nd Street bus or the underground to the iconic Grand Central Station, from which you can walk down 42nd Street.

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Tours of the United Nations Building in New York

This post has all the information needed to take a tour of the United Nations Headquarters, including information about tickets, directions, what you will see there, and nearby sights.

• Guided Tours of the UN
• How to Get Tickets
• Plan Your Visit
• Nearby Sights and Activities
• Things to Do in NYC
• Free Tours By Foot

GUIDED TOURS OF THE U.N.

United Nations' guided tours are a great way to learn more about the organization and its contributions to the world order.

You must purchase tickets for the tour.

If you prefer to visit the United Nations for free, you can, but you will not see any of the significant parts of the Headquarters.

See below to find out what you can see without taking a tour. 

Pre-booked tickets and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination are strongly recommended but not required for entry. All visitors are recommended to wear mask but not required.

Tour Schedule

Tours are offered Monday-Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and last between 45 minutes to an hour. 

There are no weekend tours .

The Visitors Center is open on the weekends, but you will not be able to see any other areas of the building.

Tours are offered in the six official languages of the United Nations, which are English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian.

Tours are also sometimes offered in German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Swedish.

If for some reason a booked language tour is not available when you arrive, the tour will be conducted in English.

About the Tour 

On the tour, you will visit the 

• General Assembly Hall
• Security Council Chamber
• Trusteeship Council Chamber
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber
• and much more!

About the Guides

• There are 24 United Nations Tour Guides.
• The guides are from 15 different countries and speak a combined 12 languages.
• Tour Guides are referred to as United Nations Ambassadors to the Public because of their direct contact with millions of visitors.
• The guides are briefed every morning so that they will be current on the ongoing work of the organization.
• Guides also sometimes wear the native dress of their home country.

Kids Tour - Thematic Guided Tours

Since 2019, the UN started offering tours for children ages 5 through 10.

The tour includes a visit to the kid-friendly UN Kids Corridor".  

Guides interact with children and role-play so that young visitors learn how the UN relates to their lives.

The Corridor has huge world maps on the walls, mounted flags of the countries that are included in the Security Council, and even an actual refugee tent. 

To know more about the Kids tour, click here .

Standard Guided Tour

In the centre of New York City, visit the UN! An intriguing chance to learn about UN Headquarters is provided by a one-hour guided tour.

You'll go on a brief tour of the halls of world affairs with one of the multilingual Tour Guides.

You will gain knowledge of the UN's past and current activities while touring its renowned General Assembly Hall and Security Council Chamber. (meetings permitting).

To know more about the tour, visit .

Garden Tour

In the autumn, Wednesdays at 2:30 pm offer special tours of the UN's North Lawn.

Learn about the history of the "George and the Dragon" statue, see a real section of the Berlin Wall, and find a "hidden gem" honouring Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most significant women in the history of the United Nations, as you stroll through the gardens with their exceptional rose collection and recognizable cherry trees.

Thematic Guided Tour - Black History Tour

Take the unique Black History Tour to commemorate Black History at the UN!

Tour is available at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

You will get a special opportunity to see the Ark of Return, a permanent monument to those who perished in enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade, on the United Nations Visitors Plaza as part of the Black History-themed Tour of the UN.

Access to the General Assembly Hall, Trusteeship Council Chamber, and Security Council Chamber will also be included in the special visit.

With a focus on decolonization, visitors will learn about the contributions made by people of African origin to the UN's work in areas like peace and security and human rights.

Thematic Guided Tour - Focus on Women Tour

The Focus on Women Tour highlights the important contributions made by women to UN efforts in the areas of peace and security, human rights, and development.

More than half of the world's population are women, and even though their opinions have frequently been muted, their tenacity and wisdom have made them change agents!

This tour will discuss women who have had a significant impact on the history of the UN, as well as issues like Security Council resolution 1325, which emphasises the critical role that women play in conflict prevention and resolution, the distinctive and expanding role that women play in peace operations, Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment, and other General Assembly milestones that have improved the status of women globally.

A traditional Mola tapestry created by Kuna women from Panama will also be on display as part of the tour in the General Assembly Lobby.

If there are no meetings scheduled, the Focus on Women Tour will also have entry to the General Assembly Hall, Economic and Social Council Chamber, and Security Council Chamber.

To learn more, click here .

Other Things to See at the UN

Whether you take a tour or not, there is plenty to do at the United Nations.

The lobby and atrium are open for visits and you can see their permanent and changing  exhibits .

You can also browse their  bookshop ,  purchase a souvenir , and send a postcard with a  UN stamp!

You can also dine alongside UN delegates at the  Delegates Dining Room . You must make a reservation by calling 1-917-367-3314.

For a less expensive meal, try the casual Visitor’s Café in the Visitor’s Center.

NOTE:   The UN no longer offers the opportunity to have your passport stamped.

Instead, the UN Post Office sells souvenir passports for $1.00 which you can have stamped for free. 

Also, they will stamp any type of paper product, such as postcards, pamphlets, or even blank paper. This makes for a unique one-of-a-kind souvenir. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online at the UN's Visitor Center website page .

Note that tickets are sold through this site via an online vendor. If you purchase with a credit card, Vendini Tickets is the name that will appear on your statement.)  

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Visitors Center for the next available tour that day.

Because of limited availability, it is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.

Prices 

• Seniors (60 and up): $18
• Students (with ID): $18
• Children (5-12 years old): $15
• Children under 5 years old are not permitted on tours but are allowed inside the UN building.
• Kids Tours are offered for children 5-10 years old. For the Kids Tour, see above .

Purchase tickets here .

PLAN YOUR VISIT

The Visitor Entrance is at First Avenue and 45th Street.

You can use this link to Google Maps to get exact directions from your departure location to the U.N. 

By subway:   Take the 4/5/6 trains to Grand Central-42nd Street Station).

Exit Grand Central Station on 42nd Street (look for signs that say "42nd Street Exit". 

Once on the street, you can walk along 42nd Street to 1st Avenue and then walk north 4 blocks to the Visitor Entrance. 

If you don't want to walk from Grand Central, you can take the M42 bus heading east on 42nd Street. It is a free transfer from the subway.

TIP:  You may find our posts on  navigating the NYC subway  and choosing the right subway pass helpful.

By bus:   The crosstown M42 bus heading east. The Uptown M15 bus along 1st Avenue stops in front of the U.N. 

By ferry: The East River ferry has a stop at 34th Street and 1st Avenue. It costs the same as the subway and you will have fantastic views during your ride. See our post about the  East River Ferry .

By car: We advise you to not drive to the UN, as there is no visitor parking and traffic in Midtown is very heavy. 

When you arrive

Be sure that everyone in your group who is 18 years or older (and unaccompanied children 12 years and older) has their government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license.

Go to the Visitor Check-in Office at 801 First Avenue at 45th Street, across the street from the UN.

For 9:30 am and 9:45 am ticket holders, please be advised that the Check-in Office opens at 9:00 am.

Because you must go through a security screening, which may take some time, the UN asks that you arrive  an hour prior to your tour so you will not be late.

You won't be able to bring in big bags or tripods. We have great suggestions for where to store your bags for under $6.

Note:  If you are more than 15 minutes late your reservation may not be honored.

For more information about what to expect when you arrive, see the UN website .

Good to Know

• Tours take place during working hours, so groups are asked to keep quiet while walking in between stops.
• There are no restrooms along the tour route, so take care of any needs before the tour begins.
• TIP: If you have bags and would like to store them somewhere during your visit to the UN, look at our post on  where to store luggage in NYC .

What you can and cannot bring

The UN takes security seriously. Check their long list of prohibited items here .

You CAN bring the following:

• battery-operated electronic devices, as well as medical devices
• cameras, video recorders, or any type of recording device
• creams, lotions, or perfumes
• strollers (not permitted on the tour route)

NEARBY SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

You may want to link your trip to the United Nations with a few other activities. 

One activity is to join us for one of our pay-what-you-like tours of Midtown Manhattan or Grand Central Terminal .

Explore  Grand Central Terminal  (also a great place to grab food!). 

You can enhance your visit to Grand Central by using our  self-guided Grand Central tour  or our audio tour . 

For a stunning view of the NYC skyline, ride the aerial tram to Roosevelt Island.  Once you are on Roosevelt Island it is a lovely place to spend an hour or 2.

See our  Self-Guided Roosevelt Island Tour  for information on what to do on the island. 

You can also visit the New York Public Library . They offer free tours daily. 

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Stephen Pickhardt

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United Nations Guided Tours Celebrates 70 years in New York City

The United Nations Department of Global Communications celebrates today the seventieth anniversary of its Guided Tours operation, the same day that the doors of the Organization’s Headquarters in New York City were opened to the public in 1952.

To mark the occasion, an exhibit on the history and the role of the tour guides as “Ambassadors to the Public” is on view in the United Nations Visitors Lobby, available also in digital format.  The United Nations Postal Administration has issued a special commemorative stamp sheet for purchase at the stamp shop.

For seven decades, visitors from around the world have toured United Nations Headquarters, giving them the opportunity to see, hear and feel diplomacy in action.  Escorted by guides well-versed in international affairs, visitors walk through corridors buzzing with diplomats and international civil servants, learn about pressing geopolitical issues, and while seated in the General Assembly Hall, reflect on our world’s need for international cooperation.

“Our multilingual tour guides have been the face and voice of the United Nations to over 42 million visitors from around the world,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.  “We celebrate their seventieth anniversary and honour their vital ongoing mission to enhance understanding of the essential work of the United Nations.”

The one-hour Guided Tour is conducted in 13 languages by a team of tour guides from 17 countries.  As per tradition, the tour guides have been clothed by leading designers, from Edith Head, Christian Dior and Benetton in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, to Elie Tahari from 2017 to the present.

Access to a multi-media kit about the United Nations Guided Tours can be found here ; and the digital version of the seventieth anniversary exhibit at:  www.un.org/en/exhibits/ambassadors-to-the-public .  During the Unit’s anniversary month of November, visitors can also request a United Nations tour, or an interview with a tour guide in a foreign language, Monday through Friday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., by reaching out to the media contacts below.

United Nations Guided Tours offer an exciting opportunity to discover United Nations Headquarters on a brief journey through the corridors of international diplomacy, all while admiring the unique collection of artworks on display in the United Nations compound.  During the hour-long tour, visitors will learn from a multilingual tour guide about the history of the Organization, as well as the work of its 193 Member States in the areas of peace and security, development and human rights .  Guided Tours are also available at United Nations Offices in Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna.  For more information, please visit www.un.org/visit .

Media Contacts:  Vincenzo Pugliese, Acting Chief, Visitors Services, New York, at email:  [email protected] , tel.:  +1 212 963 6984; or Rula Hinedi, Chief, United Nations Guided Tours, New York, at email:   [email protected] , tel.: +1 212 963 5052.

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United Nations Visitors Centre

• New York City
• Things to Do

Every year, the United Nations Headquarters in New York welcomes over 1 million visitors from around the world. Book a Guided Tour of the UN Headquarters and visit their fascinating exhibits!

Photo courtesy of the United Nations Visitors Center

Standing on the eastern shore of Manhattan Island, on the banks of the East River, the United Nations Headquarters remains both a symbol of peace and a beacon of hope. Representatives of the earth’s seven billion people converge at the UN Headquarters to discuss and decide issues of peace, justice and economic and social well being.

Every year, the United Nations Headquarters in New York welcomes over 1 million visitors from around the world. You may book a Guided Tour of the UN Headquarters, visit the  exhibits , browse the  UN Bookshop , ask a question,  purchase a souvenir , and send a postcard with a  UN stamp . The  Delegates Dining Room  accepts lunch reservations during the week. Call 1-917-367-3314 for additional details.

Visit the United Nations – it’s your world!

9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.  Monday through Sunday.

Guided tours are only available from Monday through Friday.

Take Amtrak to the United Nations Visitors Centr e  

Experience the United Nations Visitors Centr e   via Amtrak to Penn Station in New York City —Don’t forget to use the Amtrak  See New York and Save 15% discount!

From 34th Street-Penn Station, take the A, C, or E subway train to ride one stop to 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal Station. From 42 Street Station, walk (about four minutes) to the Times Sq – 42 St Station and take the 7 subway train. Ride three stops to the Grand Central – 42 St Station. Head  south  on  East 42nd St  toward  3rd Ave toward  United Nations Secretariat Building (about a ten-minute walk).

Or rent a car with Enterprise! Pick up your reserved  NYTRAIN  Enterprise Rent-a-Car right at the Penn Station.  Click here to reserve your car  or call the New York City office today at:  845-485-2222 .

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Every year, the United Nations Headquarters in New York welcomes over 1 million visitors…

THE PUBLIC TRAVELER

• May 2, 2023

The United Nations Building: A Must-Visit Destination for History Buffs and Architecture Enthusiasts

Updated: May 27, 2023

Greetings, fellow travelers! I'm Stephen Stromberg, also known as The Public Traveler, and I'm excited to take you on a journey to explore one of the world's most fascinating buildings: The United Nations Headquarters. From its rich history to its vibrant culture, this is a destination you won't want to miss. Join me as we delve into this iconic landmark and discover all that it has to offer.

Detailed History:

The United Nations was established in 1945, after World War II, as a way to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The organization's founding document, the United Nations Charter, was signed by 50 countries, including the United States, on June 26, 1945. The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, when the Charter was ratified by the majority of its signatories.

The building was designed by an international team of architects, including Wallace K. Harrison of the United States, Le Corbusier of France, and Oscar Niemeyer of Brazil. Construction began in 1949, and the building was completed in 1952.

Since its completion, the United Nations Building has served as a symbol of global cooperation and diplomacy. The building has hosted countless meetings and events, including the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.

Today, the United Nations Building remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Visitors can take guided tours of the facility, which include visits to the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council Chamber, and the famous Rose Garden.

If you're interested in history, architecture, or global affairs, the United Nations Building is a must-visit destination. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, and come prepared to learn and be inspired by the power of international cooperation.

As you enter the UN Building, you'll be struck by its vibrant and diverse culture. The UN is a melting pot of languages, cultures, and ideas, and this is reflected in everything from the artwork on display to the languages spoken by its staff. Take a moment to appreciate the diverse array of flags flying outside the building, each one representing a member nation of the UN. As you make your way through the building, you'll be transported to different regions of the world, each with its own unique character and style.

A Day at The United Nations:

A visit to the UN Building is a full-day experience that will leave you with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. From the guided tours to the interactive exhibits, every moment of your visit will be filled with new discoveries and insights. As you explore the building, take note of the sensory experiences, such as the sounds of different languages being spoken, the smells of international cuisine, and the sights of iconic landmarks from around the world.

The guided tour of the United Nations Building is a fascinating experience that provides visitors with a unique look into the inner workings of this international organization.

The tour typically begins with an introduction to the history and mission of the United Nations, as well as an overview of the various agencies and bodies that make up the organization. Visitors will then have the opportunity to explore the building's iconic public spaces, including the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber.

During the tour, knowledgeable guides will share insights into the important work that takes place at the United Nations, as well as the challenges faced by the organization in its efforts to promote peace, security, and human rights around the world.

One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the famous Rose Garden, which offers stunning views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Visitors can also explore the art and sculpture on display throughout the building, including works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

Top 10 Reasons Why Visitors Should Visit:

Gain a deeper understanding of global issues and international diplomacy.

Experience the diverse cultures and languages of the world in one place.

Explore an iconic landmark with a rich history and global significance.

Engage with interactive exhibits and displays that showcase the work of the UN.

Attend meetings and conferences that address critical issues facing our world today.

Take a guided tour led by knowledgeable experts who will provide unique insights.

Discover the art and architecture of the building, including the iconic General Assembly Hall.

Visit the UN Bookshop and purchase souvenirs that support the work of the UN.

Participate in events and activities that promote global cooperation and understanding.

Be inspired to take action and make a positive difference in the world.

Top 9 Interesting Facts about The United Nations Building:

The UN Building is located on international territory, meaning it is not subject to the laws of any one country.

The building was designed by a group of international architects, led by Wallace Harrison.

The UN was established in 1945, but the building did not open until 1952.

The UN has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

The iconic General Assembly Hall is where the UN holds its annual meetings, which are attended by heads of state from around the world.

The UN Building has its own post office, which issues stamps and handles international mail.

The building features a collection of artwork from around the world, including works by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall.

The UN employs more than 11,000 staff members from over 160 countries.

The UN Building has been the site of many historic moments, including the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. 10. The UN is committed to sustainability, and the building features a number of eco-friendly initiatives, including solar panels and a green roof.

Helpful Insider Travel Tips:

Plan your visit in advance and book a guided tour for a more immersive experience.

Check the UN website for information on events and meetings that may be open to the public.

Bring a valid photo ID with you for security purposes.

Dress appropriately for the occasion, as the UN has a dress code that prohibits shorts, flip flops, and tank tops.

Allow plenty of time for your visit, as there is much to see and explore.

Top Things to Do for Free in the Surrounding Area:

Take a stroll through the nearby Central Park.

Visit the nearby Museum of Modern Art, which offers free admission on Fridays from 5-9 pm.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy stunning views of the city skyline.

Explore the High Line, a park built on an elevated railway track.

Visit the National Museum of the American Indian, which offers free admission.

Money Saving Tips:

Look for discounts on guided tours and events through the UN website.

Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in nearby Central Park instead of eating at expensive restaurants.

Take public transportation instead of driving or taking a taxi.

Look for free admission days at nearby museums and attractions.

Getting There:

The UN Building is located in Midtown Manhattan, near the East River. It is easily accessible by public transportation, including subway and bus. Paid parking is available nearby, but it is recommended to take public transportation.

How Much Time to Spend There:

A visit to the UN Building can vary in length depending on your interests and the activities you choose to participate in. A guided tour typically lasts 45-60 minutes, but you could easily spend a full day exploring the exhibits and attending meetings.

Safety Tips and Tips to Avoid being the Victim of Crime:

Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas.

Keep valuables out of sight and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Stay with a group, especially at night.

Follow all security procedures when entering the building, including bag checks and metal detectors.

Best Place to Eat Nearby and Why:

There are plenty of great restaurants in the nearby Midtown Manhattan area, but one standout is Le Pain Quotidien. This Belgian bakery and café offers fresh and delicious pastries, sandwiches, and salads, and is a great option for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Plus, the rustic-chic atmosphere is the perfect complement to a day spent exploring the UN Building.

Hours and Reservations:

The UN Building is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:45 pm, and guided tours are available by reservation only. It is recommended to book your tour in advance to ensure availability.

Conclusion:

As you can see, a visit to the United Nations Building is an unforgettable experience that offers a window into the world of global diplomacy and cooperation. From the rich history and vibrant culture to the interactive exhibits and events, this iconic landmark has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Come discover the world at the United Nations Building and be inspired to make a difference in our global community.

Disclaimer: The information in this post was factual to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, visitors are encouraged to call the UN Building or visit their website to get the latest and most up-to-date information before visiting.

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How to visit United Nations headquarters in New York (for free)

by Dan Miller | Nov 24, 2016 | all , family travel | 6 comments

(READ MORE: Most Traveled People – tracking places you’ve been )

Where is the United Nations headquarters in NYC?

United Nations Headquarters is in Manhattan (New York City), on the east side of the island.  The UN headquarters building is located off of 1st Avenue between 42nd and 47th streets

While the skyscraper that you THINK is the United Nations headquarters (technically the “United Nations Secretariat Building” is between 42nd and 43rd street, the actual visitor’s entrance into United Nations headquarters building is opposite 45th street.

There is no parking at the UN headquarters building – the UN website recommends walking or taking public transportation. We were staying at the Sheraton Times Square New York , so we walked over.  One advantage of walking is that on your way to visit the United Nations Headquarters, you’ll pass by many countries’ diplomatic missions, so it makes a good game of “spot the flags”

You will see an entrance building on the east side of 1st Avenue opposite 45th street.  It looks like this

If you look closely in the picture, you can see 2 armed guards in front of the UN building who will not let you in… unless…. you get a visitor’s badge.

Getting a (free) visitor’s pass to visit United Nations headquarters

Unless you work there, you will need a Visitor Pass to visit the UN Headquarters building.  The Visitor’s Check-In office for the United Nations headquarters building is (conveniently) right across the street from United Nations Headquarters, on the northwest corner of 45th Street and 1st Avenue (801 First Avenue is the address)

The UN website suggests arriving to check-in at least one hour before any scheduled tours you might have to go through the security process.  The security check in building opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. on weekends.  Every visitor 18 and older needs to show government ID (original; no photocopies) in order to get a visitor pass.  The UN website does not mention this, but there is a sign in the building stating that your identification must be in English

My daughter (10 years old at the time) did not need to show ID but also got a visitor’s pass / bracelet.  Children under 5 years of age are not permitted to visit the United Nations headquarters building (supposedly for “security” but I’m not sure I understand that)

You’ll get a badge that looks something like this

and then you can cross back over 1st Avenue to visit the UN headquarters building

When to visit the United Nations Headquarters building in New York

The United Nations headquarters building is open most days from 9 a.m. (weekdays) or 10 a.m. (weekends) to 5 p.m.  Although the UN building itself closes at 5 p.m. they stop letting people inside at 4:30

• Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
• Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• All visitors must exit the building by 5:30pm

Visiting the UN headquarters building is not allowed on certain holidays – check the UN website for more information.  Another thing to note is that guided tours are only offered on weekdays, while the United Nations headquarters building lobby, shops and Post Office are open on weekends (except January and February)

How to visit United Nations headquarters for free

There are United Nations tours that are guided tours (but only on weekdays; see above).  The current price for United Nations tours is $22 for adults, $15 for “Students” (ages 13+) and Seniors (60+) and $13 for children ages 5-12 (Children under 5 are not permitted on UN tours or in the UN headquarters building at all).

That’s well and good, but we want to visit United Nations headquarters for FREE!

When my daughter and I were at the United Nations headquarters building, we decided not to pay for a UN tour and instead just visit the building.  The good news is that the lobby, shops, Post Office and atrium are open for free and even on weekends (when there are no UN guided tours)

We were there on a Sunday morning – it was super empty and I felt that it was a good time for general reflection.  The atrium in the United Nations headquarters building in NYC is very large and has lots of information about the United Nations itself, UNICEF, and other

I enjoyed this picture of former UN secretary general Boutrous Boutrous Ghali ( thank you Animaniacs !)

The shops were closed because we were there pretty early in the morning, but we spent an hour or so looking at the different displays both inside

and the sculptures outside the United Nations headquarters building

Definitely worth a trip to United Nations headquarters if you’re visiting NYC.

Have you been to the United Nations headquarters building in New York City?  If you took the UN Tour, was it worth it?  Or would you recommend just visiting the lobby and atrium for free?

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Do you have to be in a tour to visit here?

No. We went in without a tour, but I’d imagine if you’re on the tour, you may have better access to things. For my purposes, just walking around the “open” part of the building was more than enough

Thank you for sharing this information.

Had a wonderful visit to United Nations Headquarter yesterday! Thanks

I’m glad you had a good time!

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United Nations

Information service vienna.

• Visit the UN

INDIVIDUAL VISITS

Guided tours for individuals and small groups up to ten people.

Group visits

Various group visit options for children and adults are available.

About guided tours

Tickets and pricing, prices per person (2024): .

Online booking fee included.  

Guided Tours - 1 hour

• Adults   €15.90
• Students, retirees, military, people with disabilities, Vienna Card   €13.78
• School pupils, children   €7.42

Guided Tours - 1 1/2 hours

• Adults   €23.85
• Students, retirees, military, people with disabilities, Vienna Card   €20.67
• School pupils, children   €11.13

Lecture Programmes 

• 1-hour guided tour + a lecture: Adults   €23.85
• 1-hour guided tour + a lecture: Students, retirees, military, people with disabilities:    €20.67
• Second lecture:   €3.18

Private Tours for Small Groups <20 people

• Flatrate equal to the cost of 20 tickets 

Virtual Tours 

• Flatrate for groups up to 30 people    €212

Virtual Lecture Programmes 

• Flatrate for groups up to 30 people    €318

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• You will have to pass a security check. Please do not forget to bring a valid  official identification document  (national ID card, passport or driving license; a copy or digital version of the ID is not acceptable).
• As the security check might get busy, we recommend you to  be at the VIC at least 15 minutes before  the scheduled starting time of the tour.
• Small bags may be carried on tour. For security reasons there is  no possibility to store   luggage  at the VIC.
• The Visitors Service is  closed  on  weekends  and official  UN Holidays , and there are no tours during the  year-end  period (21.12.2024-5.1.2025) . 

The Vienna International Centre (VIC) is located in Vienna's Donaustadt area across the Danube, just seven minutes from the city centre by U-Bahn.

The street address is  Wagramer Straße 5, 1220 Vienna, Austria , with the Visitors Entrance located right next to the "Kaisermühlen/Vienna International Centre" U-Bahn stop.

We recommend the use of public transportation.

• By Underground/Subway: 
• From Vienna city centre (eg Stephansplatz), take the red U1 "U-Bahn" underground/subway line in the direction Leopoldau. Get off at the stop "Kaisermühlen/Vienna International Centre". Exit at the front of the train and proceed to the VIC main entrance (Gate 1) directly next to the station.
• Plan your journey to "UNO City"

• By coach Buses may stop in the side street of Wagramer Straße 5.
• By car Limited private car parking is available for a fee at the  Austria Centre .

What our visitors say

“Fantastic experience!” Tourist (USA)  

“One of the best tours of anything I´ve ever been to!” Tourist (Belgium)    

“Very good guide” Tourist (China)  

“Everything was perfect!” Pupil (Belarus)   

“I loved it!” Student (Mexico) 

“Our guide was amazing. Competent and humorous. She answered all of our questions and we had many.” Vienna resident

The Vienna International Centre

The UN Vienna Tour

Ferienspiel

• Copyright ©2023 UNIS, All Rights Reserved
• Legal Notice
• Fraud Alert

Search the United Nations

• Sustainable Development
• Peace and Security
• Human Rights
• Humanitarian Action
• Climate Action
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• Current Exhibits
• For Visitors
• For Exhibitors

FAQ - Visitors

What kinds of exhibits can i see at united nations headquarters in new york, are the exhibits free and open to the public, is photography permitted.

• Is there a bag check or coatroom?

Are food and beverages allowed?

What else is there to do at the un.

Expect to see photo and multimedia exhibits covering important topics that the UN works on, such as  human rights ,  sustainable development ,  climate action ,  women and girls , peace and security and more . 

Yes, exhibits are free and open to the public. You can also take a tour and visit the exhibits on display in the Visitors Lobby before or after your tour. For more information about how to access United Nations Headquarters, please visit the Arrival page .

Yes, the use of photography (personal cameras, camera phones) is permitted. For media and related professionals, please visit the Media and Accreditation Unit website .   

Is there a bag check or coat room?

No.  All coats and backpacks must be carried while on tour.  Please note that backpacks and bags larger than 14" (35cm) wide x 13" (33cm) high x 4" (10cm) deep are not permitted and that there are no luggage storage facilities available.

No, food and beverages are not allowed.

In addition to seeing the exhibits and taking a tour, you are welcome to browse the UN Bookshop , UN Stamp counter, the Gift Shop, and visit the Public Inquiries desk in the first basement (GA-1B) area. This is also where the restrooms and café are located.  

Additional information regarding your visit to the United Nations can be found at the Visitor Centre website: https://www.un.org/visit

UNESCO House - visit us

Discover UNESCO Headquarters, a treasure of modern architecture and the fruit of collaboration between several iconic architects of the twentieth century such as Bernard Zehrfuss, Marcel Breuer and Pier Luigi Nervi.

The mission and actions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will be the basis of your visit. It will allow you to discover how the organization works, the values it conveys and how it affects people's daily lives.

UNESCO's Headquarters

The Place de Fontenoy in Paris is home to UNESCO's Headquarters. Inaugurated on November 3, 1958, it is today the Organisation's main building.

Prior to its inauguration, the Hotel Majestic on Avenue Kléber, in Paris, was UNESCO's temporary home until it moved to its current headquarters on the Place de Fontenoy.

Guided Tours

Discover UNESCO’s Headquarters, a treasure of modern architecture and the fruit of collaboration between several iconic architects of the twentieth century such as Bernard Zehrfuss, Marcel Breuer and Pier Luigi Nervi. 

The mission and actions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will be the base of your visit. It will allow you to discover how the organization works, the values it carries and how it affects the daily lives of people.

You will cross the emblematic rooms and halls of this "house of peace" made of glass and concrete like the Japanese garden of Isamu Noguchi or the meditation space of Tadao Ando. This will be the occasion to discover major pieces from Miró, Picasso, Giacometti, Calder, among others that form part of UNESCO’s collection of 600 works of art.

For the general public, registrations are mandatory for guided tours, scheduled from Monday to Friday :

Public Events

The UNESCO House hosts a wide variety of free events all year:  concerts, shows, ceremonies, screenings, exhibitions and conferences open to the public and free .

To remain informed about the upcoming events, follow us on  Facebook ,  Instragram and subscribe to our the Newsletter  here

UNESCO CAMPUS

Since 2014, UNESCO Campuses have been bringing together middle and high school students from around the world, two to three times a month during the school year, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and online. These events enable young people aged 13 to 18 to exchange views with UNESCO and civil society experts on major contemporary issues: freedom of expression, preservation of biodiversity, access to education... You are a teacher and would like your class to participate?

Library & Archives

UNESCO’s  Library  and  Archives   reading room  is a place for its staff, delegates and  external researchers  (upon registration) to carry out research and find reference sources. Readers have direct access to practically all archives and publications issued by UNESCO (or under its auspices), as well as a selection of scholarly titles devoted to the areas of UNESCO’s expertise. It is an ideal place to work in an intellectually stimulating environment.

Original and exclusive gifts all through the year!

At the UNESCO Book & Gift Shop our World Heritage coffee table books will invite you to travel, when the UNESCO Courier will keep you informed about the international debates of our time and with our publications dedicated to education, science, culture, communication and social sciences, you will definitely keep up with the latest trends and datas. And do not miss the Bouba & Zaza education collection for children!

Have a look at our exclusive UNESCO gifts, from textile, luxury products, handmade creations, sports items, to games for kids, most of them ethically produced with sustainable materials.

UNESCO Book and Gift Shop is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Organization's paper, audio and video archives are accessible upon request.

UNESCO has three catering areas: the Restaurant, the Bar du 7eme étage and the Bar des Conférences. These spaces are open to the public.

Whether it is a VIP cocktail for 50, an inaugural reception for 250, a grand banquet for 1,300, a gala dinner or a special celebration, the highly adaptable UNESCO Restaurant Service is able to propose several types of menus or customize its offers, depending on the request. The venues for catering, the choice of menus, the elegance of the table decorations and the team of professionals in the kitchen and in the dining area make a perfect combination to help ensure the success of an event.

Restaurant reservation: send us an email  or call: +33 (0) 06.72.28.20.53

Organize your event

Located near the Eiffel Tower, right in the heart of Paris, the iconic UNESCO Headquarters, a jewel of modern architecture, offers its Secretariat and Member States a variety of conference rooms and exhibition spaces that are also available for the events and meetings of institutions, foundations, associations and companies whose activities coincide with the ideals of the Organization.

From Room I, ideal for major conferences and ceremonies, as well as for a variety of cultural productions, and the Ségur Hall, which showcases large exhibitions, to the panoramic restaurant on the 7th floor for special events catering, UNESCO provides event planners with an opportunity to offer their guests exclusive meetings and prestigious cultural events in the most international building in Paris.

Space Rental: Contact us and Organize your event now.

Restaurant reservation: send us an  email  or call: +33 (0)7.84.20.94.27

The Y-shaped design was conceived by three architects of different nationalities under the direction of an international committee. Nicknamed the ‘three-pointed star’, the entire edifice stands on 72 columns of concrete piling. It is world famous, not only because it is the home of a well-known organization but also because of its outstanding architectural qualities.

Three more buildings complete the headquarters site. The second building, known affectionately as the "accordion" with a pleated copper ceiling where the plenary sessions of the General Conference are held. The third building is in the form of a cube. Lastly, a fourth construction consists of two office floors hollowed out below street level, around six small sunken courtyards.

Plans for the three headquarters buildings were prepared jointly by:

• Marcel Breuer(link is external)  of the United States: architect and designer, Marcel Breuer has taught and lectured in universities and art institutes in the United States and other countries. He is the author of many widely published articles on art and architecture. His important projects include the Centre and Theatre, Sarah Lawrence College; the Grosse Pointe Public Library; and the airport terminal buildings at Fairbanks and Anchorage.
• Pier Luigi Nervi(link is external)  of Italy: engineer, architect, teacher and writer, Pier Luidi Nervi has designed and constructed many buildings in Italy, making special use of reinforced concrete. These projects include stadiums, theatres, industrial plants, department stores and airport buildings.
• Bernard Zehrfuss(link is external)  of France: architect and adviser to many official and private organizations, Bernard Zehrfuss won the Rome Grand Prix. Among his works are the National Centre for Mechanized Industries, the Renault motor car works at Flins and many housing projects in France, Algeria and Tunisia.

An international panel of five architects approved their project:  Lucio Costa(link is external)  (Brazil),  Walter Gropius(link is external)  (United States),  Charles Le Corbusier(link is external)  (France),  Sven Markelius(link is external)  (Sweden) and  Ernesto Rogers(link is external)  (Italy). American architect  Eero Saarinen(link is external)  was also consulted.

The buildings, which are open to the public for special events, contain many  remarkable works of art . As soon as the architectural plans for the site at the Place de Fontenoy had been approved, UNESCO commissioned a number of great artists to create works to adorn the future premises. In some cases, the works are also intended to evoke the peace that the institution has sought to establish and preserve throughout the world.

Over the years, other works were acquired. Various Member States donated some to the Organization, including works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Erró, Alberto Giacometti, Eduardo Chillida, Henry Moore, Rufino Tamayo or Isamu Noguchi, among others. Both famous and unknown artists all have their place in this universal museum that echoes the diversity of artistic creation throughout the world.

UNESCO Headquarters are located at 7, place de Fontenoy in the heart of Paris.

High schools are invited to participate in  UNESCO Campuses . UNESCO does not offer parking facilities. We recommend using public transport.

• By Metro: Ségur-UNESCO, Cambronne, Ecole militaire
• By Bus: 28, 80
• Velib'Sation: n° 15009 Suffren, 140 avenue de Suffren

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Apple Exploring 'Mobile Robot' That 'Follows Users Around Their Homes'

Apple is exploring various "personal robotics" projects in an effort to create its "next big thing," according to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman .

Engineers at Apple have been exploring a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the skunk-works project is private. The iPhone maker also has developed an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around, they said.

Apple is investigating the use of AI algorithms that would help robots "navigate cluttered spaces within people's homes," the report says. Apple has apparently wanted to create robots that can "handle chores, like cleaning dishes in a sink," but Gurman said this feat is unlikely this decade due to "extraordinarily difficult engineering challenges."

Apple's home robot could compete with the likes of Amazon's Astro, which serves as a mobile virtual assistant and provides home security monitoring.

As for the table-top device, Gurman said one idea was for its display to "mimic the head movements" of a person on a FaceTime video call. However, he said Apple has faced technical challenges related to "balancing the weight of a robotic motor on a small stand," and some Apple executives have apparently debated whether to develop such a device.

The robotics projects are said to be in the very early stages of research, and it is unclear if any of them will ever be released to the public. For now, these are just moonshot ideas, but they are fascinating ones to learn about.

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Earthquake shakes U.S. East Coast

An earthquake struck the East Coast of the United States on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, causing buildings to shake and rattling nerves from Maryland to Maine.

The USGS measured the quake as a 4.8 temblor with its epicenter near Lebanon, New Jersey. It struck a little before 10:30 a.m. ET. An aftershock of magnitude-4.0 hit right around 6 p.m. ET.

The morning earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Northeast in more than a decade, according to USGS records .

There were no immediate reports of major destruction or any fatalities. Local and regional officials from cities in the earthquake zone said inspections had been launched to ensure that buildings, bridges and other infrastructure were not damaged.

Follow here for live updates on the earthquake.

James Pittinger, mayor of Lebanon, New Jersey, called the earthquake “the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.”  In an interview with MSNBC , he said he had not received reports of any significant damage so far, but added that the shaking caused his dog to run for cover and objects to fall off his shelves.

While a 4.8-magnitude temblor is not considered a major earthquake, even minor shaking can cause damage on the East Coast, which does not take similar precautions as other earthquake hot spots around the world.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the quake was felt across the state.

“My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day,” she wrote on X .

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in an afternoon news briefing that no major injuries or impacts to infrastructure were reported, and that people in the city should “go about their normal day.”

Ground stops were temporarily issued at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's website. Flight disruptions at the Newark airport continued into the afternoon .

The Port Authority Transit Corp., which operates a rapid transit route between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, suspended service in the aftermath of the quake.

“Crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution,” PATCO said in an update on X . “Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe. Updates to follow.”

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that there had been no impact to its service but that teams will be inspecting train lines. New Jersey Transit alerted riders of 20-minute delays due to bridge inspections following the earthquake.

While earthquakes in the northeast U.S. are rare, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a 3.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 — the strongest recorded in the area in 40 years.

A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck the tri-state area in 2017, centered near Little Creek, Delaware,  according to the U.S. Geological Survey . And before that, a 5.8-magnitude quake  shook central Virginia in 2011,  and was felt across much of the East Coast, forcing hundreds of thousands people to evacuate buildings in New York, Washington and other cities.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a post on X that the state has activated its emergency operations center and asked the public not to call 911 unless they are experiencing an emergency.

Frederik J. Simons, a professor of geosciences at Princeton University, told NBC News that the earthquake occurred on a shallow fault system in New Jersey and lasted about 35 seconds.

“The shallower or the closer it is, the more we feel it as humans,” he said.

The quake originated at a depth of less than 3 miles,  according to the USGS . 

Earthquakes on the East Coast can be felt at a great distance and can cause more pronounced shaking in comparison to those on the West Coast because rocks in the region are often older, harder and more dense.  

“These are competent rocks that transmit energy well,” Simons said.

The earthquake ruptured within a fault zone known as the Ramapo system, Simons said. It’s a zone in relatively ancient rock that contains old faults and cracks from ancient tectonic processes. These old faults slowly accumulate stress and occasionally something slips, Simons said.

“There are cracks in it and now and then a little motion accumulates, the stress keeps growing, at very slow rates,” he said. “It’s like an old house creaking and groaning.”

Simons said this was one of the largest earthquakes in New Jersey in recent history. The last notable one was a magnitude-3.1 temblor in Freehold Township in September 2020. 

“I’m on campus at Princeton University for the biggest one I’ve felt in a lifetime,” he said. “This shaking was violent, strong and long.”

Some videos captured the moment of the earthquake, including one from a coffee shop in New Jersey.

The East Coast quake struck two days after a powerful 7.4-magnitude temblor shook the island of Taiwan, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The two incidents are not thought to be related, said Dara Goldberg, a USGS geophysicist.

“We’re much too far of a distance for the stress on the fault of Taiwan to affect New York,” she said.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Evan Bush is a science reporter for NBC News. He can be reached at [email protected].

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2nd meeting, conference of csos working on the….

3 April 2024

2nd Meeting, Conference of CSOs working on the Question of Palestine 2024

• Ms. Samah Sisay, Attorney at the US Centre for Constitutional Rights
• Ms. Yasmine Ahmed, Director of Human Rights Watch UK
• Ms. Rawan Arraf, Director of the Australian Centre for International Justice
• Ms. Tilda Rabi, President of the Federation of Argentine-Palestinian Entities
• Mr. Frank Chikane, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Global Anti-Apartheid Conference - South Africa

Taller Nacional sobre Informes Locales Voluntarios y Territorialización de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en Bolivia

• Documentation

The Division for Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DSDG/UNDESA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Development Planning and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (RCO) in Bolivia, is organizing a national capacity building workshop on “Voluntary Local Reviews and SDG Territorialization in Bolivia”,” to take place from 9-11 April in La Paz, Bolivia.

La División de Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible del Departamento de Asuntos Económicos y Sociales de las Naciones Unidas (DSDG/UNDESA), en colaboración con el Ministerio de Planificación del Desarrollo y la Oficina del Coordinador Residente de las Naciones Unidas (RCO) en Bolivia, está organizando un taller nacional de desarrollo de capacidades sobre Informes Locales Voluntarios y Territorialización de los  Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en Bolivia, que tendrá lugar del 9 al 11 de abril en La Paz, Bolivia.

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Israel-Gaza latest: Israel explains why troops withdrawn from southern Gaza | War latest

Today marks six months since the 7 October attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,100 Israelis dead and prompted Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza, which has killed more than 33,000 people. We'll be bringing you updates on this throughout the day.

Sunday 7 April 2024 22:58, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Israeli military withdraws almost all ground troops from southern Gaza
• Israel's defence minister gives reason for troops withdrawal  
• Netanyahu 'desperate' for ceasefire deal
• Today marks six months since the 7 October attacks
• Iranian official says Israeli embassies are no longer safe | Top military commander promises retaliation
• Israel 'absolutely' committed to ground invasion of Rafah
• Podcast: Should the UK stop selling arms to Israel?
• Live reporting by Jess Sharp and (earlier)  Josephine Franks

That's all for today, but we'll be back soon with regular updates and analysis.

Until then, you can read through today's updates by scrolling below, or you can read our lead story here . 

A Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for ceasefire talks, the militant group has said in a statement. 

The officials will meet Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel during their visit, it said. 

It also reiterated demands the group issued in a proposal last month prior to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. 

The demands include a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a return of displaced civilians, and an exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, the statement said.

The statement also demanded relief for the Palestinian people and to begin reconstruction of the besieged region. 

A total of 322 aid trucks have been allowed into Gaza today, officials have said. 

The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said this was the highest number of aid trucks transferred to the region in one day since the conflict erupted last year. 

"There is no limit to the amount of aid that can be facilitated for the civilians in Gaza," it added. 

It comes as pressure continues to grow on Israel to allow humanitarian assistance into the region, with several international organisations warning famine is immiment. 

A grieving father who lost his son when Israeli air strikes killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers has given a clear message to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken - killings by Israel in Gaza must end. 

John Flickinger told Mr Blinken the US needs to use its power and leverage over its closest Middle East ally to make that happen.

Mr Flickinger's 33-year-old son Jacob was among the humanitarian workers killed in the drone strikes earlier this week.

"If the United States threatened to suspend aid to Israel, maybe my son would be alive today," Mr Flickinger told Associated Press.

"I'm hopeful that this is the last straw, that the United States will suspend aid and will take meaningful action to leverage change in the way Israel is conducting this war," he added. 

In addition to Jacob Flickinger, three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national and a Palestinian were killed in the strikes.

Israeli officials have called the drone strikes a mistake, and the military has said it dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles.

Today marks six months since Hamas launched its 7 October attacks on Israel. 

With frustration growing in Israel, deaths rising in Gaza and a humanitarian crisis continuing to grow, many have been calling for a ceasefire deal to be struck. 

Around 130 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza  - about a quarter of whom Israel says are dead. 

Here our Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall takes a look at some of the key moments in the conflict so far...

Israel will hold a military exercise tomorrow morning, the country's military has announced. 

In a post on X, the Israel Defence Forces says the drill will be held in the northern coastal strip and the Galilee area - a region close to the Lebanon and Syria border. 

It adds that the "lively movement of vessels, aircraft and security forces" will be felt in the area and is part of the "IDF's readiness for combat in the various sectors". 

"There is no fear of a security incident," it says. 

It comes after the military said earlier today that it has completed another phase in preparing for a possible war on its northern front with Lebanon and Syria.

The United States and its allies have dropped humanitarian aid into the isolated northern part of Gaza, where the United Nations and aid groups have warned famine is imminent.

The US Central Command said it dropped the packages alongside the Royal Jordanian Air Force. 

It said the delivery will provide "essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict". 

"The combined joint operation included Jordanian-provided food and three US Air Force C-130 aircraft," it added. 

"The US C-130s dropped over 38,000 meal equivalents, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza." 

To date, the US has dropped 739 tons of humanitarian assistance in the region. 

The British armed forces have dropped 40 tonnes of aid into Gaza in recent weeks to tackle the bottleneck in supplies reaching Palestinians.

The five air drops have seen supplies including water, flour and baby formula parachuted into the territory.

Thousands of Israelis have rallied outside the parliament in Jerusalem, calling for a "hostage deal" to be reached. 

The demonstration, organised by the families of the hostages, also marks six months to the day since they were captured by Hamas.

The six-month mark has been met with growing frustration in Israel, where anti-government protests have swelled and anger has mounted, with more than 100 hostages still being held in Gaza. 

"People are waiting for their children for their parents, for their sisters and their brothers and our government doesn't seem to care," said Talia Ezrahi who attended the protest with her daughter. 

Negotiations for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of the hostages have resumed in Cairo today. 

Iraq has agreed to send 10 million litres of fuel to Gaza, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced. 

Iraq also agreed to accept wounded Palestinians into the country from the besieged region and provide them treatment. 

The lack of fuel in the strip has crippled hospitals, water systems, bakeries and relief operations. 

Israel imposed a strict blockade on all goods entering Gaza when it launched its military campaign in the region. 

Since then, supplies have dwindled and only a fraction of the amount of fuel needed has been allowed in. 

By Mark Stone, US correspondent 

As we mark six months of the most brutal of conflicts in Gaza, a few thoughts.

First, we're at the end of the most consequential of weeks in this bloody six-month period.

I say it with a great deal of hesitation and perhaps some naivety (given how many moments of hope have come and gone) but maybe there is a little sense of momentum right now.

After the killing of foreign aid workers, it's been a week in which American influence seemed finally to have a humanitarian impact.

After a call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli government announced it would open Ashdod port for the delivery of aid. 

It also said a key northern border crossing to Gaza, Erez, would open.

Then came the announcement that Israeli troops would pull out of southern Gaza, leaving just one battalion inside the strip.

The White House spokesman, John Kirby, says this is a temporary "rest and refit" for the soldiers but also says he doesn't believe it's the prelude to a new offensive.

Some reporting from Israel suggests the IDF might be shifting to targeted anti-terror operations over large ground offensives.

Israeli negotiators have also gone back to the table in Cairo, reportedly with a new mandate for hostage/ceasefire talks. The CIA director, the prime minister of Qatar and the Egyptian spy boss are also there.

Could all this amount to a moment for the guns to fall silent, the hostages to come home and a flood of aid to get in? 

Well, many of us have wondered this before over the past six months, and we've been wrong.

My second observation? Well, in all of this, a key piece of the path to peace is still totally absent. Who will have authority in Gaza?

Who governs Gaza? A UN blue beret force? An Arab peacekeeping mission? Palestinian leaders? But which ones?

Six months of war and the 'day after' is, just maybe, getting closer.

But no one has any sense of what it looks like. That represents a profound political and damning failure of American leadership.

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OpenAI built a voice cloning tool, but you can’t use it… yet

As deepfakes proliferate , OpenAI is refining the tech used to clone voices — but the company insists it’s doing so responsibly.

Today marks the preview debut of OpenAI’s Voice Engine , an expansion of the company’s existing text-to-speech API . Under development for about two years, Voice Engine allows users to upload any 15-second voice sample to generate a synthetic copy of that voice. But there’s no date for public availability yet, giving the company time to respond to how the model is used and abused.

“We want to make sure that everyone feels good about how it’s being deployed — that we understand the landscape of where this tech is dangerous and we have mitigations in place for that,” Jeff Harris, a member of the product staff at OpenAI, told TechCrunch in an interview.

Training the model

The generative AI model powering Voice Engine has been hiding in plain sight for some time, Harris said.

The same model underpins the voice and “read aloud” capabilities in ChatGPT , OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, as well as the preset voices available in OpenAI’s text-to-speech API. And Spotify’s been using it since early September to dub podcasts for high-profile hosts like Lex Fridman in different languages.

I asked Harris where the model’s training data came from — a bit of a touchy subject. He would only say that the Voice Engine model was trained on a mix of licensed and publicly available data.

Models like the one powering Voice Engine are trained on an enormous number of examples — in this case, speech recordings — usually sourced from public sites and data sets around the web. Many generative AI vendors see training data as a competitive advantage and thus keep it and info pertaining to it close to the chest. But training data details are also a potential source of IP-related lawsuits, another disincentive to reveal much.

OpenAI is already being   sued over allegations the company violated IP law by training its AI on copyrighted content, including photos, artwork, code, articles and e-books, without providing the creators or owners credit or pay.

OpenAI has licensing agreements in place with some content providers, like Shutterstock and the news publisher Axel Springer , and allows webmasters to block its web crawler from scraping their site for training data. OpenAI also lets artists “opt out” of and remove their work from the data sets that the company uses to train its image-generating models, including its latest DALL-E 3 .

But OpenAI offers no such opt-out scheme for its other products. And in a recent statement to the U.K.’s House of Lords, OpenAI suggested that it’s “impossible” to create useful AI models without copyrighted material, asserting that fair use — the legal doctrine that allows for the use of copyrighted works to make a secondary creation as long as it’s transformative — shields it where it concerns model training.

Synthesizing voice

Surprisingly, Voice Engine isn’t trained or fine-tuned on user data. That’s owing in part to the ephemeral way in which the model — a combination of a diffusion process and transformer — generates speech.

“We take a small audio sample and text and generate realistic speech that matches the original speaker,” said Harris. “The audio that’s used is dropped after the request is complete.”

As he explained it, the model is simultaneously analyzing the speech data it pulls from and the text data meant to be read aloud, generating a matching voice without having to build a custom model per speaker.

It’s not novel tech. A number of startups have delivered voice cloning products for years, from ElevenLabs to Replica Studios to Papercup to Deepdub to Respeecher . So have Big Tech incumbents such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft — the last of which is a major OpenAI’s investor  incidentally.

Harris claimed that OpenAI’s approach delivers overall higher-quality speech.

We also know it will be priced aggressively. Although OpenAI removed Voice Engine’s pricing from the marketing materials it published today, in documents viewed by TechCrunch, Voice Engine is listed as costing $15 per one million characters, or ~162,500 words. That would fit Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” with a little room to spare. (An “HD” quality option costs twice that, but confusingly, an OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch that there’s no difference between HD and non-HD voices. Make of that what you will.)

That translates to around 18 hours of audio, making the price somewhat south of $1 per hour. That’s indeed cheaper than what one of the more popular rival vendors, ElevenLabs, charges — $11 for 100,000 characters per month. But it does come at the expense of some customization.

Voice Engine doesn’t offer controls to adjust the tone, pitch or cadence of a voice. In fact, it doesn’t offer any fine-tuning knobs or dials at the moment, although Harris notes that any expressiveness in the 15-second voice sample will carry on through subsequent generations (for example, if you speak in an excited tone, the resulting synthetic voice will sound consistently excited). We’ll see how the quality of the reading compares with other models when they can be compared directly.

Voice talent as commodity

Voice actor salaries on ZipRecruiter range from $12 to $79 per hour — a lot more expensive than Voice Engine, even on the low end (actors with agents will command a much higher price per project). Were it to catch on, OpenAI’s tool could commoditize voice work. So, where does that leave actors?

The talent industry wouldn’t be caught unawares, exactly — it’s been grappling with the existential threat of generative AI for some time. Voice actors are increasingly being asked to sign away rights to their voices so that clients can use AI to generate synthetic versions that could eventually replace them. Voice work — particularly cheap, entry-level work — is at risk of being eliminated in favor of AI-generated speech.

Now, some AI voice platforms are trying to strike a balance.

Replica Studios last year signed a somewhat contentious deal with SAG-AFTRA to create and license copies of the media artist union members’ voices. The organizations said that the arrangement established fair and ethical terms and conditions to ensure performer consent while negotiating terms for uses of synthetic voices in new works, including video games.

The writers’ strike is over; here’s how AI negotiations shook out

ElevenLabs, meanwhile, hosts a marketplace for synthetic voices that allows users to create a voice, verify and share it publicly. When others use a voice, the original creators receive compensation — a set dollar amount per 1,000 characters.

OpenAI will establish no such labor union deals or marketplaces, at least not in the near term, and requires only that users obtain “explicit consent” from the people whose voices are cloned, make “clear disclosures” indicating which voices are AI-generated and agree not to use the voices of minors, deceased people or political figures in their generations.

“How this intersects with the voice actor economy is something that we’re watching closely and really curious about,” Harris said. “I think that there’s going to be a lot of opportunity to sort of scale your reach as a voice actor through this kind of technology. But this is all stuff that we’re going to learn as people actually deploy and play with the tech a little bit.”

Ethics and deepfakes

Voice cloning apps can be — and have been — abused in ways that go well beyond threatening the livelihoods of actors.

The infamous message board 4chan, known for its conspiratorial content,  used ElevenLabs’ platform to share hateful messages mimicking celebrities like Emma Watson. The Verge’s James Vincent was able to tap AI tools to maliciously, quickly clone voices, generating samples containing everything from violent threats to racist and transphobic remarks. And over at Vice, reporter Joseph Cox documented generating a voice clone convincing enough to fool a bank’s authentication system.

There are fears bad actors will attempt to sway elections with voice cloning. And they’re not unfounded: In January, a phone campaign employed a deepfaked President Biden to deter New Hampshire citizens from voting — prompting the FCC to move to make future such campaigns illegal.

FCC officially declares AI-voiced robocalls illegal

So aside from banning deepfakes at the policy level, what steps is OpenAI taking, if any, to prevent Voice Engine from being misused? Harris mentioned a few.

First, Voice Engine is only being made available to an exceptionally small group of developers — around 10 — to start. OpenAI is prioritizing use cases that are “low risk” and “socially beneficial,” Harris says, like those in healthcare and accessibility, in addition to experimenting with “responsible” synthetic media.

A few early Voice Engine adopters include Age of Learning, an edtech company that’s using the tool to generate voice-overs from previously cast actors, and HeyGen, a storytelling app leveraging Voice Engine for translation. Livox and Lifespan are using Voice Engine to create voices for people with speech impairments and disabilities, and Dimagi is building a Voice Engine-based tool to give feedback to health workers in their primary languages.

Here’s generated voices from Lifespan:

https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lifespan_generation_ordering.mp3

https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lifespan_generation_talking.mp3

And here’s one from Livox:

https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/livox_generation_english.mp3

Second, clones created with Voice Engine are watermarked using a technique OpenAI developed that embeds inaudible identifiers in recordings. (Other vendors including Resemble AI and Microsoft employ similar watermarks.) Harris didn’t promise that there aren’t ways to circumvent the watermark, but described it as “tamper resistant.”

“If there’s an audio clip out there, it’s really easy for us to look at that clip and determine that it was generated by our system and the developer that actually did that generation,” Harris said. “So far, it isn’t open sourced — we have it internally for now. We’re curious about making it publicly available, but obviously, that comes with added risks in terms of exposure and breaking it.”

OpenAI launches a red teaming network to make its models more robust

Third, OpenAI plans to provide members of its red teaming network , a contracted group of experts that help inform the company’s AI model risk assessment and mitigation strategies, access to Voice Engine to suss out malicious uses.

Some experts argue that AI red teaming isn’t exhaustive enough and that it’s incumbent on vendors to develop tools to defend against harms that their AI might cause. OpenAI isn’t going quite that far with Voice Engine — but Harris asserts that the company’s “top principle” is releasing the technology safely.

General release

Depending on how the preview goes and the public reception to Voice Engine, OpenAI might release the tool to its wider developer base, but at present, the company is reluctant to commit to anything concrete.

Harris did give a sneak peek at Voice Engine’s roadmap, though, revealing that OpenAI is testing a security mechanism that has users read randomly generated text as proof that they’re present and aware of how their voice is being used. This could give OpenAI the confidence it needs to bring Voice Engine to more people, Harris said — or it might just be the beginning.

“What’s going to keep pushing us forward in terms of the actual voice matching technology is really going to depend on what we learn from the pilot, the safety issues that are uncovered and the mitigations that we have in place,” he said. “We don’t want people to be confused between artificial voices and actual human voices.”

And on that last point we can agree.

Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation to US over UN Gaza vote

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Record flood waters rise in Russia's Urals, forcing thousands to evacuate

A string of Russian regions in the Ural Mountains and Siberia, alongside parts of neighboring Kazakhstan have been hit in recent days by some of the worst floods in decades.