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UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS
(And non-United Nations Organizations)

Alphabetical WEB Site Locator for the UNITED NATIONS System of Organizations.

The list is in alphabetical order by agency name. This also results in abbreviations, listed in parentheses if available, being in alphabetical order by at least the first letter with the exception of IBRD (listed just before WFP).
Source: http://www.unsystem.org/

A

C

E

Economic Commission for Africa - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ECA).
ECA is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development.

Economic Commission for Europe - Geneva, Switzerland (ECE).
UN/ECE was set up in 1947 by ECOSOC. It is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations.
Its primary goal is to encourage greater economic cooperation among its member States.
It focuses on economic analysis, environment and human settlements, statistics, sustainable energy, trade, industry and enterprise development, timber and transport.

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean - Santiago, Chile (ECLAC).
ECLAC, which is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was founded for the purposes of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, coordinating actions directed towards this end, and reinforcing economic relationships among the countries and with the other nations of the world. The promotion of the region's social development was later included among its primary objectives.

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific - Bangkok, Thailand (ESCAP).
Today, ESCAP is the main organization for United Nations activities in the Asian and Pacific region. From a farmer in Bangladesh to a statistician in Malaysia, from a disabled teacher in China to an environmentalist in India, the work of ESCAP benefits people from all walks of life in their pursuit of social and economic development.

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - Beirut, Lebanon (ESCWA).
The overall objectives of ESCWA are:
enhancing the sustainable development of ESCWA member States;
promoting regional co-operation and policy co-ordination among member States; and
highlighting the linkages among the economic, social, cultural, technological and environmental dimensions of development.

F

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Rome, Italy (FAO).
The Food and Agriculture Organization was founded in October 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations.

Information Systems Coordination Committee - Geneva, Switzerland (ISCC).
The mandate of the ISCC is to provide advice, establish policies, adopt standards and recommend practices to ensure wider accessibility of information.

Inter-agency Committee on Sustainable Development - New York, USA (IACSD).
IACSD was established by the ACC following the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development--UNCED) which was held in Rio in 1992. The IACSD is mandated to identify major policy issues relating to the follow-up of UNCED and advise ACC on ways and means of addressing them so as to ensure effective co-operation and coordination of the UN system in the implementation of Agenda 21.

Inter-agency Meeting on Language Arrangements, Documentation and Publications - New York, USA (IAMLADP)

Inter Agency Procurement Services Office - Denmark, Copenhagen (IAPSO).
IAPSO - The Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office - as part of the United Nations Development Programme, is uniquely experienced in providing procurement services to its partners in development.

International Atomic Energy Agency - Vienna, Austria (IAEA).
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's central inter-governmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. A specialized agency within the United Nations system, the IAEA maintains its headquarters at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.

International Centre for Science and High Technology - Trieste, Italy (ICS).
The ICS mandate is to advance the industrial competitiveness and investment climate in developing and emerging countries. Main beneficiaries are are national and regional institutes engaged in R&D, small and medium-sized industries operating in the sector of high technology, and policy-makers.

International Civil Aviation Organization - Montreal, Canada (ICAO).
One of ICAO's chief activities is standardization, the establishment of International Standards, Recommended Practices and Procedures covering the technical fields of aviation: licensing of personnel, rules of the air, aeronautical meteorology, aeronautical charts, units of measurement, operation of aircraft, nationality and registration marks, airworthiness, aeronautical telecommunications, air traffic services, search and rescue, aircraft accident investigation, aerodromes, aeronautical information services, aircraft noise and engine missions, security and the safe transport of dangerous goods. After a Standard is adopted it is put into effect by each ICAO Contracting State in its own territories. As aviation technology continues to develop rapidly, the Standards are kept under constant review and amended as necessary.

International Civil Service Commission - New York, USA (ICSC).
The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) is an independent expert body established by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mandate is to regulate and coordinate the conditions of service of staff in the United Nations common system (see further in this site), while promoting and maintaining high standards in the international civil service.

International Computing Centre - Geneva, Switzerland (ICC).
The United Nations International Computing Centre (ICC) was established in Geneva in 1971 as a co-operative set up, providing a wide range of Computing and Communication Services, on a cost recovery basis, to its Users world-wide. ICC is managed by a Management Committee representing the Organisations to which it provides services.

Mandate
In order to reflect the changing needs of its Members, ICC’s role includes the following:
To provide Information Technology services on a full cost-recovery basis;
To implement Information Systems Co-ordination Committee (ISCC) programmes in accessing UN information by Member States and provide services in relation thereto;
To assist in exploiting networking and computing technology;
To provide information management services resulting in reduced overall costs;
To give advice and disseminate information on questions related to information management.

International Court of Justice - The Hague, The Netherlands (ICJ).
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
The Court has a dual role: to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes submitted to it by States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs and agencies.

International Fund for Agricultural Development - Rome, Italy (IFAD).
IFAD, a specialized agency of the United Nations, was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference. The Conference was organized in response to the food crises of the early 1970s that primarily affected the Sahelian countries of Africa. The Conference resolved that "an International Fund for Agricultural Development should be established immediately to finance agricultural development projects primarily for food production in the developing countries".

International Institute on Ageing - Valetta, Malta (INIA).
The mandate o fhte INIA is:
To empower the less developed countries to cope with the challenges of the consequences of mass longevity in the next decades by building capacity for them to be able to educate and train their own personnel to formulate and implement their own appropriate policies;
To help establish regional training centres for this purpose in the less developed countries and regions by training and educating key personnel in different aspects of ageing including Social Gerontology; Health and Longevity; the Economic and Financial Aspects of Ageing; and Demography of Ageing, both by means of international short courses and in-situ country courses to provide the foundation personnel for these centres;
To provide continuing support and continuity to sustain both the individual personnel and the Centres by modern information technology;
To promote interactive networks and partnerships to sustain these initiatives, both between developing countries and to make available in an appropriate mode, expertise from developed countries

International Labour Organization - Geneva, Switzerland (ILO).
The International Labour Organization was created in 1919, at the end of the First World War, at the time of the Peace Conference which convened first in Paris, then at Versailles. The need for such an organization had been advocated in the nineteenth century by two industrialists, Robert Owen (1771-1853) of Wales and Daniel Legrand (1783-1859) of France.
The initial motivation was humanitarian. The condition of workers, more and more numerous and exploited with no consideration for their health, their family lives and their advancement, was less and less acceptable. This preoccupation appears clearly in the Preamble of the Constitution of the ILO, where it is stated, "conditions of labour exist involving ... injustice, hardship and privation to large numbers of people. "
The second motivation was political. Without an improvement in their condition, the workers, whose numbers were ever increasing as a result of industrialization, would create social unrest, even revolution. The Preamble notes that injustice produces "unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperilled."
The third motivation was economic. Because of its inevitable effect on the cost of production, any industry or country adopting social reform would find itself at a disadvantage vis-à-vis its competitors. The Preamble states that "the failure of any nation to adopt humane conditions of labour is an obstacle in the way of other nations which desire to improve the conditions in their own countries."

International Maritime Organization - London, UK (IMO).
The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships.

International Monetary Fund - Washington, USA (IMF).

International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (INSTRAW).
The United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) is the only institution in the United Nations system solely devoted to research and training for the advancement of women.
Recently, INSTRAW restructured to become the only dedicated UN institution to deliver its mandate through new information and communication technologies (ICT).

International Telecommunication Union - Geneva, Switzerland (ITU).
The ITU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland is an international organization within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services.

International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO - Geneva, Switzerland (ITC).
ITC is a technical cooperation organization whose mission is to support developing and transition economies, and particularly their business sectors, in their efforts to realize their full potential for developing exports and improving import operations with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable development. ITC deals specifically with the operational aspects of trade promotion and export development.

International Training Centre of the ILO - Turin, Italy (ILO/ITC).
Status
A non-profit body, the International Training Centre (ITC) in Turin, Italy, is the training arm of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the specialized agency of the United Nations which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.
Mandate
The Centre supports the achievement of ILO's prime purpose – the promotion of decent work for women and men. To this end, it seeks to assemble, package and deliver the best thinking, practice and experience – at global level – concerning issues related to the world of work with special focus on:
Fundamental principles and rights at work
Employment and income generating opportunities
Social protection for all
Tripartism and social dialogue
Management of the development process

J

Joint Inspection Unit - Geneva, Switzerland (JIU)

Joint Inter-agency Meeting on Computer-assisted Translation and Terminology – Geneva, Switzerland (JIAMCATT).
Created in June 1987 at the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Joint Inter-Agency Meeting on Computer- Assisted Translation and Terminology (JIAMCATT) provides its partners with a forum for debate, exchange of expertise and cooperation in the fields of computer-assisted terminology and translation, interpretation and documentation retrieval. It works to establish a proprietary terminology and information repository common to all participating organizations.

Joint United Nations Information Committee - New York, USA (JUNIC).
JUNIC constitutes a forum for consultations and coordination between public information professionals of the system on those aspects of their activities that are of mutual concern. As part of its mandate, JUNIC:
Advises on general public information policy and coordination for the United Nations system as a whole;
Provides general policy advice in public information matters of common interest;
Jointly plans public information operations, as warranted, including the establishment of cooperative arrangements for special projects and events;
Enhances modern information knowledge and skills development, practical experience sharing, and shared activities on themes of inter-agency and/or system-wide interest;
Fosters efficient information services, including shared use of facilities and resources, throughout the system.

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - Geneva, Switzerland (UNAIDS).
As the leading advocate for worldwide action against HIV/AIDS, the global mission of UNAIDS is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to the epidemic that will:
prevent the spread of HIV
provide care and support for those infected and affected by the disease
reduce the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS
alleviate the socioeconomic and human impact of the epidemic.

M

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency - Washington, USA (MIGA).
In September 1985 the World Bank Board of Governors began the process of creating a new investment insurance affiliate by endorsing the MIGA Convention that defined its core mission
"to enhance the flow to developing countries of capital and technology for productive purposes under conditions consistent with their developmental needs, policies and objectives, on the basis of fair and stable standards for the treatment of foreign investment."

O

Organizational Committee of ACC - New York, USA (OC) ACCESS PERMISSION NECESSARY.

Outer Space Affairs, Office for - Vienna, Austria (OOSA).
OOSA is the focal point of the UN efforts to promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space through multi-sectoral programmes with political, legal, technological and educational components

P

Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations, the Specialized Agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency - New York, USA.
The objective of the Panel of External Auditors is to further the co-ordination of the audits of which its members are responsible and to exchange information on methods and findings.

U

United Nations Board of Auditors - New York, USA.
The United Nations Board of Auditors was established by the General Assembly in December 1946 (Resolution 74 (I)) to carry out external audit of the accounts of the United Nations organization and its funds and programmes and to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly through the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.

United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) - Nairobi, Kenya (UNCHS (Habitat)).
The mission of UNCHS (Habitat) is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.

United Nations Children's Fund - New York, USA (UNICEF).
For more than 53 years UNICEF has been helping governments, communities and families make the world a better place for children. Part of the United Nations system, UNICEF has an enviable mandate and mission, to advocate for children's rights and help meet their needs.

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law - Vienna, Austria (UNCITRAL).
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is the core legal body within the United Nations system in the field of international trade law.

United Nations Common Supply Database - Oslo, Norway (UNCSD).
A listing in the UNCSD expresses a supplier's interest in providing to the UN system and allows the supplier to keep current business information available for all UN procurement staff. Listing in the UNCSD does not indicate that a supplier has been judged to provide goods or services needed by the UN System, nor that the supplier has met any prequalification requirements of specific UN organisations.

United Nations Compensation Commission - Geneva, Switzerland (UNCC).
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) was created in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the UN Security Council. Its mandate is to process claims and pay compensation for losses and damages suffered as a direct result of Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification - Bonn, Germany (UNCCD).
Article 1 of the UNCCD states the following:
"...'desertification' means land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities;
'combating desertification' includes activities which are part of the integrated development of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas for sustainable development..."

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - Geneva, Switzerland (UNCTAD).
UNCTAD focusses mainly on the following ideology: "Partnership implies solidarity: standing shoulder to shoulder and helping those less equipped to cope with a more competitive global economy. UNCTAD must and will remain the guardian of the world's development conscience, striving for greater equity and a narrowing of disparities between nations"

United Nations Development Fund for Women - New York, USA (UNIFEM).
UNIFEM promotes women's empowerment and gender equality. It works to ensure the participation of women in all levels of development planning and practice, and acts as a catalyst within the UN system, supporting efforts that link the needs and concerns of women to all critical issues on the national, regional and global agendas. UNIFEM focuses its work at the country level within the context of the United Nations Resident Coordinator System. Playing a strong advocacy role, the Fund concentrates on fostering a multilateral policy dialogue on women's empowerment.

United Nations Development Programme - New York, USA (UNDP).
At the UN Millennium Summit, world leaders pledged to cut poverty in half by 2015. UNDP is charged with helping to make this happen. A trusted source of knowledge-based advice and an advocate of a more inclusive global economy, UNDP provides funds and helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Paris, France (UNESCO).
The main objective of UNESCO is to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.

United Nations Environment Programme - Nairobi, Kenya (UNEP).
The mission of UNEP is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - Bonn, Germany (UNFCCC)

United Nations Headquarters - New York, USA (UN).
Most of us have heard about United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. But the many other ways the UN affects all our lives are not always so well known. This booklet takes a look at the United Nations - how it is set up and what it does - to illustrate how this organization works to make the world a better place for all people.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Office of the - Geneva, Switzerland (UNHCHR).
The concern of the United Nations with the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms stems directly from the realization by the international community that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world", and from the resultant pledge of States Members of the United Nations "to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Office of the - Geneva, Switzerland (UNHCR).
UNHCR is mandated by he United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization - Vienna, Austria (UNIDO).
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) helps developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their fight against marginalization in today's globalized world. It mobilizes knowledge, skills, information and technology to promote productive employment, a competitive economy and a sound environment. Carlos Magariños, the Director-General of UNIDO, describes the Organization as "a specialized United Nations agency that focuses its efforts on relieving poverty by fostering productivity growth".

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research - Geneva, Switzerland (UNIDIR).
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (hereinafter referred to as "the Institute") is an autonomous institution within the framework of the United Nations, established by the General Assembly for the purpose of undertaking independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues, and working in close relationship with the Department for Disarmament Affairs.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research - Geneva, Switzerland (UNITAR).
Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 1934 (XVIII) of 11 December 1963 and resolution 42/197 of 11 December 1987, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research is established by the Secretary-General as an autonomous institution within the framework of the United Nations for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations in achieving the major objectives of the Organization, by the performance of the functions described hereinafter, in particular the maintenance of peace and security and the promotion of economic and social development.

United Nations International Drug Control Programme - Vienna, Austria (UNDCP).
The United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997, ODCCP consists of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP). ODCCP has approximately 350 staff members worldwide. Its headquarters are in Vienna and it has 22 Field Offices as well as Liaison Offices in New York and Brussels. ODCCP relies on voluntary contributions, mainly from governments, for 90 per cent of its budget.

United Nations International School -New York, USA (UNIS).
The United Nations International School (UNIS) was founded in 1947 by United Nations affiliated families to provide their children with an international education inspired by the principles of the UN Charter, which fosters respect for the cultures and values of others.

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute - Rome, Italy (UNICRI).
The objective of the Institute shall be to contribute, through research, training, field activities and the collection, exchange and dissemination of information, to the formulation and implementation of improved policies in the field of crime prevention and control, due regard being paid to the integration of such policies within broader policies for socio-economic change and development, and to the protection of human rights. The Institute shall assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organisations in their efforts in this regard.

United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund - New York, USA (UNJSPF)
The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is a fund established by the General Assembly of the United Nations to provide retirement, death, disability and related benefits for the staff of the United Nations and the other organizations admitted to membership in the Fund.

United Nations Office at Geneva - Geneva, Switzerland (UNOG)

United Nations Office at Vienna - Vienna, Austria (UNOV).
The United Nations Office at Vienna is the office for United Nations administration and coordination with the United Nations system.

United Nations Office for Project Services - New York, USA (UNOPS).
UNOPS is the largest provider of project-management services to the United Nations. Learn more about our business and our organization.
UNOPS is an entity of the United Nations System, reconstituted as of 1 January 1995 for the specific purpose of providing services to projects and programmes supported by UN member states and organizations.

United Nations Population Fund - New York, USA (UNFPA).
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, helps developing countries find solutions to their population problems. UNFPA began operations in 1969. It is the largest international source of population assistance. About a quarter of all population assistance from donor nations to developing countries is channelled through UNFPA. The Fund has three main programme areas: Reproductive Health including Family Planning and Sexual Health, Population and Development Strategies and Advocacy.

United Nations Postal Administration - Vienna, Austria (UNPA).
United Nations stamps are available in three different currencies. They have been produced in US$ since 1951 in New York, in Swiss Francs since 1969 in Geneva and in Austrian schillings since 1979 in Vienna. United Nations stamps are issued in accordance with agreements between the United Nations on the one hand and the USA, Switzerland and Austria on the other.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East - Gaza, Gaza Strip & Amman, Jordan (UNRWA)
Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June 2002.

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development - Geneva, Switzerland (UNRISD)
UNRISD was established in 1963 with a mandate "to conduct research into problems and policies of social development and relationships between various types of social development and economic development during different phases of economic growth." The Secretary-General's Bulletin that set up the Institute also called on UNRISD to carry out research and studies which are "urgent and important" to the work of the United Nations Secretariat as well as to regional and national institutes working in the fields of economic and social development.

United Nations Staff College - Turin, Italy (UNSC).
The mission of UNSC is to promote high standards of leadership and management for the UN of the 21st century. Our goal is to foster, through shared learning and developing key competencies, a cohesive and effective management system across the United Nations

United Nations University - Tokyo, Japan (UNU).
The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. [see UNU Charter]

United Nations Volunteers - Bonn, Germany (UNV).
The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) was created by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1970 to serve as an operational partner in development cooperation at the request of UN member states. It is unique within the UN family and as an international volunteer undertaking. It reports to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and works through UNDP's country offices around the world.

Universal Postal Union - Berne, Switzerland (UPU).
Postal services form part of the daily life of people all over the world. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), with headquarters in Berne, Switzerland, is the specialized institution of the United Nations that regulates this truly universal service. The postal services of its 189 member countries form the largest physical distribution network in the world. Some 6.2 million postal employees working in over 700,000 post offices all over the world handle an annual total of 430 billion letters, printed matter and parcels in the domestic service and almost 10 billion letters, printed matter and parcels in the international service.

W

World Bank - Washington, USA (IBRD).
Founded in 1944, the World Bank Group is the world's largest source of development assistance. The Bank, which provided US$15.3 billion in loans to its client countries last year, is now working in more than 100 developing economies, bringing a mix of finance and ideas to improve living standards and eliminate the worst forms of poverty. For each of its clients, the Bank works with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to formulate assistance strategies. Its 67 country offices deliver the Bank's program in countries, liaise with government and civil society, and work to increase understanding of development issues.

World Food Programme - Rome, Italy (WFP).
WFP is the frontline United Nations organisation fighting to eradicate world hunger -- whether it is the hunger that suddenly afflicts people fleeing ethnic conflict in Rwanda or Bosnia or the chronic hunger that affects the hungry poor in countries such as Bangladesh or India. WFP became operational in 1963 and is now the world's largest international food aid organisation.

World Health Organization - Geneva, Switzerland (WHO)
Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization leads the world alliance for Health for All.
A specialized agency of the United Nations with 191 Member States, WHO promotes technical cooperation for health among nations, carries out programmes to control and eradicate disease and strives to improve the quality of human life.

World Intellectual Property Organization - Geneva, Switzerland (WIPO).
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of works of the human spirit. These works – intellectual property – are expanding the bounds of science and technology and enriching the world of the arts. Through its work, WIPO plays an important role in enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life, as well as creating real wealth for nations.

World Meteorological Organization - Geneva, Switzerland (WMO).
From weather prediction to air pollution research, climate change related activities, ozone layer depletion studies and tropical storm forecasting, the World Meteorological Organization coordinates global scientific activity to allow increasingly prompt and accurate weather information and other services for public, private and commercial use, including international airline and shipping industries. WMO's activities contribute to the safety of life and property, the socio-economic development of nations and the protection of the environment.

World Tourism Organization - Madrid, Spain
The World Tourism Organization is the leading international organization in the field of travel and tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.

World Trade Organization - Geneva Switzerland
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NOT PART OF THE UN SYSTEM

This listing is limited to International Organizations (other than those within the UN System) who are known to have WEB sites.

Additional entries can be added to the list upon official request from the International Organization concerned.

International Organizations with Member States

CERN - European Laboratory for Particle Physics
In 1951, a provisional body was created called the "Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire" (CERN). This was a council: a body of people. In 1953 the Council decided to build a central laboratory near Geneva. At that time, pure physics research concentrated on understanding the inside of the atom, hence the word "nuclear".
As ratified by the parliaments of the member states, the convention specifies that the laboratory is officially called the "Organisation européenne pour la recherche nucléaire" or "European Organization for Nuclear Research".
However, the name of the Council stuck to the organization, which is why we are referred to in the literature as simply "CERN".
This is also the reason for the common mistake to think of the "C" of CERN as the first letter of "Centre", but the "C" stands for "Council".
CERN does pure scientific research into the laws of nature. We are not involved with nuclear weapons. The CERN convention states:
The Organization shall provide for collaboration among European States in nuclear research of a pure scientific and fundamental character, and in research essentially related thereto. The Organization shall have no concern with work for military requirements and the results of its experimental and theoretical work shall be published or otherwise made generally available.

Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation which aims:
to protect human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law;
to promote awareness and encourage the development of Europe’s cultural identity and diversity ;
to seek solutions to problems facing European society (discrimination against minorities, xenophobia, intolerance, environmental protection, human cloning, Aids, drugs, organised crime, etc.);
to help consolidate democratic stability in Europe by backing political, legislative and constitutional reform.
The Council of Europe should not be confused with the European Union. The two organisations are quite distinct. The 15 European Union states, however, are all members of the Council of Europe.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991. It exists to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) committed to and applying the principles of multiparty democracy, pluralism and market economics.

European Commission (Directorate-General XIII) UNABLE TO OPEN

European Union (EU)
Europa is the portal site of the European Union (http://europa.eu.int/). It provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration. Users can also consult all legislation currently in force or under discussion, access the websites of each of the EU institutions and find out about the policies administered by the European Union under the powers devolved to it by the Treaties.

G7 Support Implementation Group - Moscow, Russia UNABLE TO OPEN

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) - Washington, DC, United States
he Inter-American Development Bank, the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, was established in December of 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Inter-Governmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe, North America and Australia UNDER CONSTRUCTION

International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) - Rome, Italy
In 1959, the 9th UNESCO General Conference in New Delhi decided to establish the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), at a time of increasing and widespread interest in the protection and preservation of monuments and sites of historical, artistic and archaeological interest.
ICCROM is an inter-governmental organisation with its headquarters in Rome. It is the only institution of its kind with a world-wide mandate dealing with the conservation of all types of cultural heritage. Apart from 98 Member States, ICCROM counts 99 of the world’s leading conservation institutions as Associate Members.

International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit) - Rome, Italy
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is an independent intergovernmental organisation with its seat in the Villa Aldobrandini in Rome. Its purpose is to examine ways of harmonising and co-ordinating the private law of States and of groups of States, and to prepare gradually for the adoption by States of uniform rules of private law.

International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) - London, United Kingdom
The main role of the ILZSG is to ensure transparency in the markets for lead and zinc worldwide. This is achieved by providing a continuous flow of information to the market place on supply and demand developments in lead and zinc through the monthly publication of high quality statistics, and in depth economic studies. We also organise international sessions and special conferences bringing together industry and governments to discuss matters of concern in the lead and zinc sectors.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Geneva, Switzerland
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
As an intergovernmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:
Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration;
Advance understanding of migration issues;
Encourage social and economic development through migration;
Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) - Geneva, Switzerland
The IPU is the world organization of parliaments of sovereign States. It was established in 1889.
The Union is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.
To that end, it:
Fosters contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of all countries;
Considers questions of international interest and concern and expresses its views on such issues in order to bring about action by parliaments and parliamentarians;
Contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights -- an essential factor of parliamentary democracy and development;
Contributes to better knowledge of the working of representative institutions and to the strengthening and development of their means of action.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - Brussels, Belgium
This website offers immediate access to information on NATO's policies and structures, official documents, press releases, speeches and publications and provides links to other relevant sites.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - Paris, France
This part of our web site introduces the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and describes how it works. Also, take a look at Activities where you will find detailed information on the specialised work of the Organisation, as well as contact points for getting in touch with us. Click here to obtain the latest News releases.

World Trade Organization (WTO) - Geneva, Switzerland
See alphabetical WEB Site Locator for the UNITED NATION System of Organizations.

Non-governmental International Organizations

Amnesty International - London, United Kingdom
Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. In particular, Amnesty International campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and "disappearances"; and oppose human rights abuses by opposition groups.
Amnesty International has around a million members and supporters in 162 countries and territories. Activities range from public demonstrations to letter-writing, from human rights education to fundraising concerts, from individual appeals on a particular case to global campaigns on a particular issue.
Amnesty International is impartial and independent of any government, political persuasion or religious creed. Amnesty International is financed largely by subscriptions and donations from its worldwide membership.

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - Geneva, Switzerland
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, and working on behalf of its members in the European area, the EBU negotiates broadcasting rights for major sports events, operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, organizes programme exchanges, stimulates and coordinates co- productions, and provides a full range of other operational, commercial, technical, legal and strategic services. At its office in Brussels, the EBU represents the interests of public service broadcasters before the European institutions.

Food for the Hungry International (FHI)
Food for the Hungry is an international organization that exists to fulfill a God-given mandate to help people overcome both physical and spiritual hungers (Isaiah 58). We follow the example provided by Jesus himself as he went from community to community, preaching, teaching, and healing people along the way (Matthew 9:35-38).

Green Cross International - Genève (Suisse)
The mission of Green Cross International is to help create the conditions for a sustainable future by cultivating a more harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) - Geneva, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada
The main aim of IATA is to serve the airline industry; The main goals are:
Safety and Security.
Industry recognition.
Financial viability.
Productivity and Services.
Standards and Procedures.
Industry support.

International Chamber of Commerce
ICC is the world business organization, the only representative body that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world.

ICC promotes an open international trade and investment system and the market economy. Its conviction that trade is a powerful force for peace and prosperity dates from the organization's origins early in the last century. The small group of far-sighted business leaders who founded ICC called themselves "the merchants of peace".

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Geneva, Switzerland
The ICRC's mission: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) - Geneva, Switzerland
The International Electrotechnical Commission is the international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology.

International Federation for Information Processing (FIP).
FIP is a non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was established in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO as an aftermath of the first World Computer Congress held in Paris in 1959. Today, IFIP has several types of Members and maintains friendly connections to specialized agencies of the UN system and non-governmental organizations. Technical work, which is the heart of IFIP's activity, is managed by a series of Technical Committees

International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - Geneva, Switzerland
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

International Law Institute (ILI) - Washington, DC, USA
Since 1971 the International Law Institute has trained over 8,000 professionals from 180 countries. The goal of the Institute is to plant the seeds of knowledge and experience so that all nations of the world can achieve practical solutions to their problems in ways that fit their own needs.
The Institute's Washington Training Program is presented through seminars at its headquarters at Pacific House in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Program seminars train participants from both the public and private sectors to:
lead their nations toward improved legal regimes, sound economic policy, and
ffective capital markets;
promote constructive collaboration between the public and private sectors;
serve as capacity builders in their organizations and in their home countries;
represent their organizations on an equal footing with foreign investors, governments, multilateral organizations, contractors, consultants, and licensors;
develop and implement policies that promote the interests of their organizations;
manage their organizations more effectively.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - Geneva, Switzerland
ISO is a non-governmental organization established in 1947. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity.

Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) - New Delhi, India
A dynamic and flexible organization with a global vision and a local focus, TERI was established in 1974. While in the initial period the focus was mainly on documentation and information dissemination activities, research activities in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development were initiated towards the end of 1982. The genesis of these activities lay in TERI’s firm belief that efficient utilization of energy, sustainable use of natural resources, large-scale adoption of renewable energy technologies, and reduction of all forms of waste would move the process of development towards the goal of sustainability.

Union of International Associations
The Union of International Associations (UIA), a nonprofit clearing house for information on over 20,000 international organizations and constituencies, has been a pioneer in the provison of information on international organizations and their global challenges since its foundation in 1910. We have some very useful databases available for you on paper, on-line and on CD-Rom. These are valuable tools for a wide variety of users and tasks, whether focused on action, research or decision-making.

United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) - Ottawa, Canada
"We the Peoples..." these, the opening words of the UN Charter, offer the hope of a world organization that is not simply a community of nations, but a community of peoples and of individuals. The United Nations Association in Canada works to make that vision a reality. UNA-Canada is a national non-profit organization promoting UN programmes and activities within Canada. The Association offers individual Canadians a window into the work of the UN, and a channel through which to become engaged in the critical international issues affecting us all. As the United Nations struggles to reform itself to deal with a new array of emerging global problems, the Association strives to foster an understanding of what the UN is and where it is going. By creating links between the work of the UN and the lives of Canadians, UNA-Canada is helping to build a better United Nations.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Known worldwide by its panda logo, WWF is the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organization with 4.7 million supporters and a global network active in some 100 countries. WWF's mission is to protect nature and the biological diversity that we all need to survive.

ARRANGEMENT OF SITES ACCORDING TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITHIN OR IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNITED NATIONS

NOTE

The sites in the following lists can also be found in the “Alphabetical WEB Site Locator for the UNITED NATIONS System of Organisations” and in the “International Organizations not part of the United Nations System”.

Programmes of the United Nations

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NOT PART OF THE UN SYSTEM

International Organizations with Member States

CERN - European Laboratory for Particle Physics
Council of Europe
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
European Commission (Directorate-General XIII)
European Union (EU)
G7 Support Implementation Group - Moscow, Russia
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) - Washington, DC, United States
Inter-Governmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe, North America and Australia
International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) - Rome, Italy
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit) - Rome, Italy
International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) - London, United Kingdom
International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Geneva, Switzerland
Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) - Geneva, Switzerland
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - Brussels, Belgium
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - Paris, France
World Trade Organization (WTO) - Geneva, Switzerland

Non-governmental International Organizations

Amnesty International - London, United Kingdom
European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - Geneva, Switzerland
Food for the Hungry International (FHI)
Green Cross International - Genève (Suisse)
International Air Transport Association (IATA) - Geneva, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada
International Chamber of Commerce
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - Geneva, Switzerland
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) - Geneva, Switzerland
International Federation for Information Processing
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - Geneva, Switzerland
International Law Institute (ILI) - Washington, DC, USA
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - Geneva, Switzerland
Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) - New Delhi, India
Union of International Associations
United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) - Ottawa, Canada

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

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UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS (And non-United Nations Organizations)

Alphabetical WEB Site Locator for the UNITED NATIONS System of Organizations.

A

C

E

F

J

M

O

P

U

W

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NOT PART OF THE UN SYSTEM

International Organizations with Member States

Non-governmental International Organizations

ARRANGEMENT OF SITES ACCORDING TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITHIN OR IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Programmes of the United Nations

Specialized Agencies of the United Nations System

Autonomous Organizations

Convention Secretariats

Inter-agency Coordination within the United Nations System

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NOT PART OF THE UN SYSTEM

International Organizations with Member States

Non-governmental International Organizations

UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS
(And non-United Nations Organizations)