The South African Mission in Nairobi is also accredited to the only UN Headquarter in the developing country and participates in the global system of governance through articulating South Africa’s interests and influencing global discussions at the only UN Headquarter in Africa, and the developing world.

The United Nations headquarters in Africa (UNON) which houses the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as well as the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) , was established by the General Assembly in 1996. The office is headed by a Director-General, at the Under-Secretary-General level, serving as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi and performs representation and liaison functions with permanent Missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Nairobi, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

UNON provides administrative and other support services to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and provides joint and common services to other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

The work of UNEP and UNHABITAT also serves in the UN Headquarter in New York but some related parts can be shared through the UN Headquarter in Geneva.