UN Systems Organizations, Institutions & Agencies
The United Nations is similar to a large, diverse family. While the UN has many programs, funds and organs that are directly governed by the General Assembly or the Security Council and have the Secretary General as the executive head, there are also a number of organizations which have their own governing bodies, executive heads, member states and secretariats. The following list gives an overview of these semi-external groups, when they came into existence and some background information.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) July 29, 1957
The United Nations was formed at the beginning of the atomic age and making sure atomic energy is used for world-wide good is what this group works towards, which makes it vital to the work of the UN.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) April 11, 1919
While it's neither an organization of or for labor, it is the only major group that was part of the League of Nations from the League's founding in 1919 up to the present. They aim to promote social justice, economic growth and create and distribute wealth to all people.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) October 16, 1945
With millions existing on just one meal a day, the FAO promotes helps developing nations learn about nutrition, efficiently increase production and distribution of food in order to raise the statnards of living in rural areas.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) November 4, 1946
Founded after World War II, this group realizes that war begins in the minds of people and therefore peace must being in people's minds as well. Through education they aim to eliminate the prejudice, ignorance and inequality among people which is often a main cause in war.
The World Health Organization (WHO) April 7, 1948
This group keeps a pulse on the health of the world in addition to bringing basic health care services and health education to two-thirds of the global population, including third-world countries, rural communities and the urban poor, who lack such services.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) April 4, 1947
Created at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, this organization is aimed at governing all aspects of civil aviation. Later it joined the United Nations and continues to create and uphold international air law code.
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) July 1, 1875
Helping more than 430 billion pieces of mail cross international borders annually, this group makes sure that countries cooperate together to get the mail delivered quickly and safely.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) January 1, 1934
This is the oldest intergovernmental organization to become a specialized agency that has a relationship with the UN. It began in Paris in 1865 at a convention establishing the International Telegraph Union.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) March 23, 1950
Aimed at preventing disaster by instructing, advising and warning the global population about weather, the WMO also assists people in adapting their industry and agriculture to the conditions in which they live.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) March 17, 1958
Protecting and governing the worlds' seven seas, a truely international part of the earth, is the main responsibility of this group. They work to facilitate cooperation between the governments in regards to shipping, international trade, maritime safety and pollution.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) April 26, 1970
Intellectual property was once easy to manage and protect within the borders of a country, but as international trade opens up the world, the need for a world-wide organization to help protect the creator's rights was recognized. As laws and regulations regarding intellectual property vary from country to country, this group aims to promote cooperation between countries when issues arise.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) November 30, 1977
This is the first international organization founded for the sole purpose of providing extra resources for rural and agricultural development in developing nations and to funnel them to the poorest regions of Africa, Near East and North Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean where citizens suffer from malnutrition and hunger. In 1995 a goal was set to halve poverty within the following twenty years.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) January 1, 1986
One of this organization's main goals is to help developing nations increase their manufacturing output and decrease their dependence on imports. They aim to meet this goal through giving aid, sharing planning and development information, training personnel in managerial and manufacturing skills, technological skills and promoting investment in developing countries.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) January 1, 1995
While relatively new in name, the WTO is the successor of the General Agreement on Tarriffs and Trade (GATT) and is the legal and institutional foundation of the world's multilateral trade system. They make the legal decisions on how governments frame and carry out their domestic trade and regulations. They also act as a forum through which international trade relationships can develop, debate, negotiate and adjudicate.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) December 24, 1945
Prior to the IMFs founding, the gold standard was abandoned and currency exchange rates fluctuated rapidly. Now they promote stability in currency exchange, facilitate growth and expansion of international trade and promote international cooperation in regards to financial matters.
The World Bank Group December 27, 1945
This Group is actually made up of five agencies: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). All of the agencies aim to support the efforts of the United Nations and the projects they undertake and provide loans and financial assistance.
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