Since joining the United Nations in 1955, Spain has maintained close and constructive relations with the Organization’s specialised agencies, funds, and programmes. Over the decades, the country has hosted one of the UN’s most diverse and dynamic footprints, with tangible benefits for Spanish society.
But what does the UN mean to Spain—and what does Spain represent for the United Nations? At a time when international cooperation is under pressure, a look at key figures and milestones offers insight into this enduring alliance.
Spain at the United Nations
Spain has served five times as a non-permanent member of the Security Council (1969–1970, 1981–1982, 1993–1994, 2003–2004 and 2015–2016). During these terms, Spain promoted key resolutions on human rights, diplomacy, and equality—including resolution 2322 on strengthening international judicial cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and resolution 2242 as part of the review process for resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.
Spain has also led resolutions in the Human Rights Council on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and the protection of the human rights of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations, especially during the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325.
In the General Assembly, Spain promoted resolution 70/3, reaffirming the commitment of all 193 Member States to the founding principles of the United Nations. Other notable initiatives include the 2021 resolution on persons with rare diseases (co-sponsored with Brazil and Qatar), and a 2023 resolution highlighting the role of the social and solidarity economy in promoting sustainable development, inclusion and reducing inequality. Most recently, Spain announced its intention to table a resolution calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Key Contributions and Statistics
Spain ranked 48th among the UN’s global suppliers in 2023. That year, Spanish companies provided goods and services worth €154.1 million to the UN system. These contracts included engineering, transport, motor vehicles and logistics services, primarily for UNOPS, UNDP and UNICEF.
According to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Spain contributed US$90 million in humanitarian assistance. Priority sectors included food security, protection and health. Key recipient agencies included UNRWA, the World Food Programme (WFP), UNHCR and UNICEF.
Currently, 1,948 Spanish nationals work within the United Nations system. Of these, 710 are employed under the regular budget, while 1,238 work across agencies, funds and programmes.
Spain’s UN Footprint
Valencia has become a strategic UN hub, particularly through the Mislata-based UN Support Base (UNICFT), which hosts 71 per cent of all UN staff in Spain. In 2023, the base employed 477 personnel funded through the regular budget.
Spain also hosts several UN entities, including the headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in Madrid, as well as agencies and offices in Valencia and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Since 2012, the World Food Programme has operated a key logistics hub in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Between 2012 and 2024, the base dispatched 684,000 metric tons of goods and food to 26 countries across Africa and Latin America, underscoring the island’s operational significance in emergency response.
Hosting Global Conferences
Spain has a strong track record of hosting high-level UN meetings and forums. In 2019, Madrid hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25).
In 2025, as the United Nations marks its eightieth anniversary and Spain its seventieth year of UN membership, Seville will host the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4). This forum is particularly relevant at a time when development cooperation and humanitarian aid are under pressure and require renewed commitment from Member States.
For more on the UN presence in Spain, visit the official page [here].
For updates on the FFD4 Conference in Seville, click [here].