Inside the United Nations

Inside the United Nations

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When you arrive at the U.N. headquarters it’s like you’re in a different country. The usual rules of New York don’t apply.

I’ve always been fascinated by the building.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Built on the site of former slaughterhouses, the sense of space is amazing. The buildings are still as grand today as they ever were.

Usually we move through the building so quickly without the opportunity to pause and appreciate the grandeur of the place.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar
"Non Violence" is a bronze sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reutersward of an oversized Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver.

It has this timeless architecture that’s a combination of art deco and modern. It’s like walking through a canyon surrounded by all these amazing art works.

It’s beautiful partly because it doesn’t feel dated.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Back in the 1990s it was filled with smoke, there were open bars everywhere. Now it’s far more secure and there are very strict rules once you’re there.

Nowadays the building almost has a lonely feeling to it. The headquarters don’t gain the same attention or respect that they used to.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

There’s an atmosphere almost of a bygone era in the complex and the architecture lends itself to that.

When the general assembly is in session many areas are closed down. It becomes a very busy place with all the comings and goings.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

I consider it a privilege to be a witness to those seminal moments, for instance when Pope Francis speaks at the U.N.

It was the same when the last pope spoke in 2008, or when Queen Elizabeth addressed the assembly two years later - happening to coincide with half time during a World Cup semi-final.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

As for the Security Council, whenever it’s in session you’re not allowed on to the floor but have to take photos from a booth. This time round I was granted access.

When you are there, with the table of the President and the gavel in front of you, the weight of the decisions they make really hits home.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar
Chairs for Heads of State are seen behind security tape inside the Secretariat Building.

There are some very funny memories too.

When Libyan leader Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi addressed the assembly in 2009 he went on for hours as he accused the veto-wielding powers of the Security Council of betraying the principles of the U.N. charter.

Older journalists told us at the time it was like when former Cuban leader Fidel Castro took to the podium. This was our Castro moment.

. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar
Interpretation earphones lie on a delegate desk inside the General Assembly hall.

Gaddafi just wouldn’t stop. The president of the General Assembly at the time was Libyan and sitting in a prominent spot behind Gaddafi.

You could see the embarrassment and exhaustion on the president’s face as his leader rambled on and on.

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Slideshow

The United Nations flag flies in front of the Secretariat Building at the headquarters in New York City.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

The United Nations flag flies in front of the Secretariat Building at the headquarters in New York City.

The United Nations Assembly Building is seen at the U.N. headquarters.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

The United Nations Assembly Building is seen at the U.N. headquarters.

A security guard looks out over the grounds as he patrols.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A security guard looks out over the grounds as he patrols.

A man pauses outside the entrance to the Assembly Building.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A man pauses outside the entrance to the Assembly Building.

A replica of the Soviet "Sputnik 1" spacecraft hangs above the visitors lobby.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A replica of the Soviet "Sputnik 1" spacecraft hangs above the visitors lobby.

Two diplomats talk in front of a window between the Secretariat and Assembly Buildings.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Two diplomats talk in front of a window between the Secretariat and Assembly Buildings.

Signs hang above an information booth inside the headquarters.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Signs hang above an information booth inside the headquarters.

A Chinese interpreter translates in a booth.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A Chinese interpreter translates in a booth.

The General Assembly Hall is seen from the speakers podium.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

The General Assembly Hall is seen from the speakers podium.

A yellow clock hangs on the wall of a small room reserved for speakers.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A yellow clock hangs on the wall of a small room reserved for speakers.

A diplomat walks through a set of curtains to a lounge near the General Assembly hall.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A diplomat walks through a set of curtains to a lounge near the General Assembly hall.

Diplomats and a security guard chat in a lounge area.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Diplomats and a security guard chat in a lounge area.

Diplomats gather for a meeting in a Delegates Lounge at the U.N. headquarters.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

Diplomats gather for a meeting in a Delegates Lounge at the U.N. headquarters.

A delegates-only escalator is seen behind a glass wall in the Assembly Building.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A delegates-only escalator is seen behind a glass wall in the Assembly Building.

A security guard patrols the roof of the Secretariat Building.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A security guard patrols the roof of the Secretariat Building.

A security camera hangs from the roof of the Secretariat Building, with the East River and Queensboro Bridge in the background.
. New York, UNITED STATES. Reuters/Mike Segar

A security camera hangs from the roof of the Secretariat Building, with the East River and Queensboro Bridge in the background.