Ethiopia has been an active member of the United Nations since 1945 and has contributed to the UN's objectives of international peace. Ethiopia is a strong supporter of the United Nations Security Council and has participated in a number of peacekeeping missions to countries including Congo, Liberia, Rwanda, Burundi and Korea. Ethiopia's main focus at the United Nations currently pertains to social and economic issues, along maintaining security and peace worldwide.

The United Nations Development Program in Ethiopia (UNDP-Ethiopia) works with the Government of Ethiopia and other agencies and organizations to achieve growth and poverty reduction, climate and environment issues and gender equality. In addition the UNDP-Ethiopia aims to promote crisis prevention and recovery, sustainability and democratic governance.

The UN Development Program in Ethiopia is based on an agreement that was signed by UNDP and the Government of Ethiopia in 1981, called the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement.

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Ethiopia is the largest UN Country Team in Africa, comprising of twenty five members. UNCT along with the UN System supports the Government of Ethiopia's developmental priorities along with a wide range of projects and programs including:

Food security
Agricultural programs
Capacity building
Environmental issues
Industry
Education
Emergency relief
Humanitarian activities
Health
Civil service reform

The United Nations Volunteer Program (UNV) was launched in Ethiopia in 1970 to promote poverty reduction strategies and develop support services. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Ethiopia.