[2][3] Hilda Yen was a founding and key figure in the establishment of the BIC according to Mildred Mottahedeh.

Mottahedeh underscored Yen's service upon her death in 1970: "This noble lady played an important role in the development of the Baha'i Faith in the international field, and it was through her efforts that the Baha'is began their work with the United Nations",[4] and wrote a memorial.

[5] The BIC seeks to "promote world peace by creating the conditions in which unity emerges as the natural state of human existence"[1] by promoting and applying principles which are derived from the teachings of the Baháʼí Faith to develop a united and sustainable civilization.

[1][3] Then in 1989 the BIC developed a working relationship with the World Health Organization, and it also has a working relationship with various other United Nations agencies and enterprises including the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

[7] The Baháʼí International Community has offices at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and representations to United Nations regional commissions and other offices in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago, and Vienna.