Important International Organizations

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Important International Organizations -

Abbreviations of Organizations & Groups:

• The Commonwealth

• ACP  - African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries

• ACCT - Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation

• Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America & the Caribbean.

• AG - Andean Group

• ABEDA - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

• ACC - Arab Cooperation Council

• AFESD - Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

• AL - Arab League 

• AMF - Arab Monetary Fund

• APEC - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

• ASDB - Asian Development Bank

• ASEAN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations

• Australia Group

• ANZUS - Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty

• AI - Amnesty International

• BENELUS - Benelux Economic Union

• Big Seven

• Big Six

• BBIMTEC - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sector Technical and Economic Cooperation

• CIS - Commonwealth of Independent State

• CCC - Customs Cooperation Council

• Colombo Plan

• COMESA - Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

• ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

• ECOSOC - Economic and Social Council

• ECE - Economic Commission for Europe

• EUC - European Community

• EFTA - European Free Trade Association

• IBSA Group-3

• Group of (G-7) or (G-8)

• Group of (G-15)

• Group of (G-77)

• INTERPOL - International Criminal Police Organization

• IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development

• INMARSAT - International Maritime Satellite Organization

• IOC - International Olympic Committee

• ISO - International Organization for Standardization

• International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• ITU - International Telecom Union

• INTELSAT - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization

• IPU - International Parliamentary Union

• MTCR - Missile Tech. Control Regime

• NAM - Non-aligned Movement

• NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Org.

• OECD - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

• OAU - Organization of African Unity

• OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

• OIC - Organization of the Islamic Conference

• SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

• SACU - Southern African Customs Union

• MERCOSUR - Southern Common Market

• Shanghai Cooperation Organization

• WMO - World Metereological Organization

• WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature

The United Nations (UN): officially came into existence on 24 Oct. 1945. During the second World War, a charter was signed by 50 nations on 26 June 1945 to continue fighting together against the Axis powers. This strong association was named as United Nations by the United States President, Roosvelt.

UN Specialized Agencies:

1. World Health Organization (WHO): WHO was established to achieve the highest levels of health by the people through collaborations with the UN, specialized agencies, government health administrations professional and other group concerned with health. Regional organizations that have been setup in member countries play an important role in carrying out essential health activities.

2. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Headquartered in Paris France, UNESCO constitution was signed by 37 countries and has about 187 members. UNESCO was setup to contribute to peace and security in the world. This was expected to be done through a collaboration in science, education, culture and communication between countries. 

3. International Labour Organization (ILO): with its headquarters in Geneva and 175 members, the ILO was established as the first specialized autonomous institution associated with the League of Nations. The main function of the ILO is to formulate international standards such as International Labour Conventions and Re-commendations. Countries such as USA, UK, Breazil, India, Japan etc form a part of its governing body.

4. World Trade Organization (WTO): WTO was founded on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and consists of a preparatory committee members appointed by the UN Economic and Social Council. Under the GATT Act, member countries undertake to apply fair trade rules covering commodities, services and intellectual property.

5. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO): FAO is a UN specialized agency that runs programmes for countries that need help and relief during famines and other calamities. The Organisation was set up nutrition levels as well as standards of living.

6. International Development Association (IDA): provides assistance to those countries which are among the poorest and developing countries.

7. International Monetary Fund (IMF): works in association with the IBRD (World Bank) to solve the problems of extensively indebted & poor countries. Its establishment was done with the purpose of promoting international monetary co-operation as well as to establish a multi-lateral system of payments etc.

8. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Also called the World Bank and functions to improve economic development and provide necessary funds.

9. World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO): WIPO was setup by 51 countries in Stockholm for the protection of literary and artistic work. The organization promotes protection of intellectual property throughout the world.