The United Nations is the only organization in the world that is permitted to issue postage stamps though it is neither a country nor a territory. It is also the only postal authority to issue stamps in • three different currencies, namely US Dollars, Swiss Francs and Austrian Schillings.

The idea of the United Nations issuing its own stamps was first proposed by Argentina in 1947. An agreement with the United States Postal authorities was executed in 1951 and the first United Nations stamps were issued in US Dollar denominations on United Nations Day, 24 October 1951. The stamps were an immediate success and sold out within days. Similar postal agreements were subsequently made with the Swiss and Austrian authorities and since 1979, United Nations stamps are issued simultaneously at United Nations Offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

In the 55th Session of the United Nations General Assembly it was decided to observe 21st of September of each year, as the International Day of Peace. Since then the United Nations Postal Administration has developed a unique concept which allows all Postal Administrations to participate and spread the message of peace throughout the world through postage stamps.

Apart from being messengers of peace, the United Nations stamps also draw attention to significant world problems and the United Nations' commitment to serve humanity by promoting improvements in areas like human rights, dignity of labour, child welfare, food for all, clean environment, health, world peace etc.

The beauty, uniqueness and special significance of United Nations stamps, combined with their individual often intriguing histories, continue to be a source of fascination and make the stamps of great value for philatelists and collectors. The United Nations stamps are appreciated  by  the collectors  not only for their innovative designs and universal themes, but also because it is possible to collect every United Nations stamp ever issued. The United Nations Postal Administration has issued over one thousand stamps till date.

The future of philately, like the future of the world, rests with today's youth. Keeping this in view, the United Nations Postal Administration is encouraging children to take up philately as a recreational hobby which will also help spread the message of the United Nations by introducing fun packs and special stamp albums for children.

The United Nations stamps are miniature works of art which have won international design awards. They are created by  professional artists as well as amateur and child artists from around the world, and are printed around the world in different countries.

The stamp designs for the UN International Day of Peace, 2005, have been prepared by children who participated in the United Nations  global peace poster contest which was sponsored by the Lions Clubs International, who have given the United Nations Postal Administration the exclusive right to use the artwork for United Nations postage stamps. The United Nations in turn has allowed postal administrations around the world to use these designs from which a selection has been made.

India as a nation has always been a votary of peace and non-violence, and the Department of Posts is privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of peace in 2005.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India