  | |
| United Nations membership | |
|---|---|
| Membership | Full member |
| Since | 18 September 1973 |
| Former name(s) |
|
| UNSC seat | Non-permanent (G4 member) |
| Ambassador | Antje Leendertse |
 | |
| United Nations membership | |
|---|---|
| Membership | Former full member |
| Dates | 18 September 1973 – 3 October 1990 |
| UNSC seat | Non-permanent (elected once) |
The relationship of Germany and the United Nations first began during World War II. The United Nations then was synonymous with the Allies of World War II and Germany then being the Greater German Reich, a member of the Axis powers. With the war ending in the defeat of Germany, the country's territory was divided amongst the victors and what was to remain Germany was under Allied administration. In 1949, two new independent countries were created in these occupied territories: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) in May and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in October.
Both Germanies were admitted as full members of the United Nations (UN) on 18 September 1973. The two countries eventually merged on 3 October 1990, signifying an end of the Cold War era.
Germany is the fourth largest contributor to the UN budget. Germany contributes 6.09 percent of this budget, or approximately 176 million US dollars.[1]