The Republic of France has been charter member of the United Nations since 1945 along with being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. France has given its full support to the United Nations since it was founded. France is the fifth largest provider of assessed financial contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, providing 6.123 percent of the United Nations budget.

French nationals make up the second largest contingent of United Nations Secretariat staff and French is one of the two working languages used within the UN Secretariat.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is comprised of five permanent member countries including France, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and Russia, which all have veto power. The United Nations Security Council was set up to establish peacekeeping operations, international sanctions and to authorise military action if necessary.

France is present in ten of the current fifteen United Nations peacekeeping operations including Afghanistan and Lebanon, and has taken a leading role in the field of protection of children in armed conflicts. France is also committed to combating violence and discrimination against women.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's offices are in Paris. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the eradication of poverty and the building of peace.

In addition to being a member of the United Nations, France is a founding and leading member of the European Union as well as a member of Nato, G8, World Trade Organization, G20 and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.