INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

WHY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ?

International organizations are crucial for global

cooperation on various issues. They facilitate
collective action on matters that transcend national
borders, such as peace and security, economic
development, and environmental protection. These
organizations provide mechanisms, rules, and a
framework for countries to work together effectively,
fostering trust and ensuring shared benefits and
responsibilities.
Here's why international organizations are important:-

❑ Addressing Global Issues :- Many challenges, like

climate change, pandemics, and poverty, require
international cooperation to solve. International
organizations provide platforms for countries to address
these issues collectively.
❑ Promoting Peace and Security :- Organizations like the
United Nations (UN) play a vital role in maintaining
international peace and security by mediating
disputes, providing peacekeeping forces, and
promoting disarmament.
❑ Facilitating Economic Cooperation :- Organizations
such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) promote
international trade, economic stability, and
development.
❑ Establishing International Standards :- International
organizations set standards and norms in areas like
human rights, environmental protection, and labor
practices, which member states are encouraged to
adopt.
❑ Providing a Forum for Dialogue :- They offer a neutral
space for countries to discuss issues, negotiate
agreements, and resolve conflicts.
❑ Supporting Development :- International organizations
provide financial and technical assistance to
developing countries, helping them to achieve their
development goals.
❑ Enhancing Cooperation :- They create a sense of
shared responsibility and encourage countries to work
together for mutual benefit.

❑ In essence, international organizations are essential for

navigating the complexities of the modern world and
fostering a more cooperative and interconnected
global community.
 IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global
organization established in 1945 following the 1944
Bretton Woods Conference, operating as a specialized
agency of the United Nations with its headquarters in
Washington, D.C. Its primary goals are to foster global
monetary cooperation, ensure financial stability,
facilitate international trade, promote sustainable
economic growth and high employment, and reduce
poverty worldwide.
 FUNCTIONS
The IMF achieves its mission through three main
functions:
❑Surveillance :- Monitoring member countries'
economic policies and offering advice.
❑Lending :- Providing financial aid and loans to
countries facing balance-of-payments issues.
❑Capacity Development :- Offering technical
assistance and training to help countries improve
their economic institutions and policies.
 STRUCTURE
The IMF's governance includes:
➢ Board of Governors :- The top decision-making body with
representatives from each member country.
➢ Ministerial Committees :- Advisory bodies like the IMFC
and Development Committee.
➢ Executive Board :- Oversees daily operations with
directors representing member countries.
➢ Managing Director :- Leads the staff and chairs the
Executive Board, currently Kristalina Georgieva.
 MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCING
The IMF has 190 member
countries, including India. Its
resources are primarily from
members' quota subscriptions
based on economic size, which
also determines voting power.
 WORLD BANK
The World Bank is an international financial
institution that provides loans and grants to
developing countries to reduce poverty and
promote sustainable development. It is composed
of 189 member countries and operates as a
cooperative, with member countries represented
by a Board of Governors. The World Bank's main
goal is to reduce poverty by providing financial and
technical support for projects and reforms aimed at
improving economies and living standards.
 Structure
It's a group of five international organizations, with
the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) and the International
Development Association (IDA) being the primary
lending arms.
Membership
The World Bank is owned by its 189 member
countries, who are represented by a Board of
Governors, usually ministers of finance or
development.
 PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the World Bank is to reduce
poverty and promote shared prosperity in developing
countries by providing financial and technical assistance.
It aims to achieve this by lending money to governments
for development projects, offering policy advice, and
sharing knowledge and solutions.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
❑ Reducing Poverty :- The World Bank's core mission is to
end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity by
supporting economic growth and improving living
standards in developing countries.
❑ Providing Financial Assistance :- The World Bank offers loans,
grants, and other financial products to governments of low- and
middle-income countries to fund projects in areas like
infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more.
❑ Offering Policy Advice and Technical Assistance :- The World
Bank provides expertise and guidance to countries on various
development issues, including economic policy, institutional
reforms, and sector-specific strategies.
❑ Promoting Shared Prosperity :- The World Bank's focus on shared
prosperity means it aims to reduce inequality and ensure that
the benefits of economic growth are shared by all citizens,
including the poorest.
❑ Supporting Sustainable Growth :- The World Bank encourages
sustainable development practices that balance economic
growth with environmental protection and social equity.
 Specific Areas of Focus
The World Bank's work spans various sectors including:
➢ Infrastructure Development :- Supporting projects like roads, energy, and
water systems.
➢ Education :- Investing in education systems to improve access and quality.
➢ Healthcare:- Funding initiatives to improve health outcomes and access to
healthcare.
➢ Private Sector Development:- Promoting private sector growth and
investment.
➢ Public Sector Management:- Strengthening governance and public
institutions.
➢ Environment and Natural Resources:- Supporting sustainable management
of natural resources.
 IAEA HISTORY AND ORIGIN
IAEA’s origin can be traced back to an address of the former US
President Dwight Eisenhower to the General Assembly of the United
Nations in 1953.
▪ The address was known as ‘Atoms for Peace’ and this was the
organization's first name when it was formally established in 1957.
▪ Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the IAEA is a UN agency.
▪ The primary mandate of the organization was and continues to be
promoting safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.
▪ Currently, it has 171 members. The latest member is Saint Lucia
which joined the IAEA in 2019.
▪ India became a member in 1957 itself.
❖ By ensuring the peaceful usage of nuclear technologies, the IAEA
contributes to peace and security in the world and also towards
achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

❖ The current Director-General of the organisation is Rafael Mariano

Grossi
❖ The IAEA, along with its former Director-General Mohamed El
Baradei, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
❖ Although the IAEA is an independent international organisation, it
reports annually to the UNGA .
❖ The IAEA has regional offices in Geneva, New York, Toronto and
Tokyo; and research laboratories in Austria, Italy and Monaco.
 Mission and Key Functions

✓ Promoting Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy :- The IAEA helps its Member
States utilize nuclear science and technology for various peaceful purposes,
including electricity generation, medicine, agriculture, and industry.
✓ Implementing Safeguards :- The IAEA implements safeguards to verify that
nuclear energy is not diverted to military purposes, such as nuclear weapons
development. This is a crucial aspect of the international non-proliferation
regime.
✓ Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security :- The IAEA promotes high
standards for nuclear safety (including radiation protection) and nuclear
security, working to protect people and the environment from the harmful
effects of ionizing radiation.
 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Amnesty International (AI) is a global non-governmental
organization headquartered in the United Kingdom, dedicated
to promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.
Founded in London in 1961 by lawyer Peter Benenson, AI
initially focused on "prisoners of conscience" – individuals
imprisoned for their beliefs, ethnicity, race, color, or religion
who had not used or advocated violence. The organization’s
field of interest has since expanded to address a broader range
of human rights issues.
 Mission and principles
❑ Amnesty's mission is to campaign for a world where everyone
enjoys the human rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international instruments. AI achieves
this through research and documentation, campaigning and
advocacy, and raising awareness and education.

❑ The organization operates under principles of international

solidarity, effective action, global coverage, universality and
indivisibility of human rights, impartiality, independence,
democracy, and mutual respect. AI is independent of
governments, political groups, economic interests, and religions,
relying mainly on donations and membership fees for funding.
 Areas of work
Amnesty International addresses a variety
of human rights issues, including the rights
of women, children, minorities, and
indigenous peoples, and the abolition of
torture, the death penalty, and the
mistreatment of refugees, asylum seekers,
and migrants. They also focus on the rights
of prisoners of conscience and the
protection of human dignity.
 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a non-governmental
organization that investigates and reports on human
rights abuses globally. It focuses on issues like war
crimes, crimes against humanity, child labor, torture,
human trafficking, and the rights of women and
LGBTQ individuals. HRW conducts rigorous
investigations, exposes abuses, and advocates for
policy changes to protect human rights and hold
perpetrators accountable.
 Key Areas of Focus
➢ Armed Conflict :- HRW monitors and reports on the conduct of
armed forces, investigates war crimes, and advocates for the
protection of civilians.
➢ Justice and Accountability :- HRW pushes for legal and judicial
reforms to ensure that perpetrators of human rights abuses are
held accountable.
➢ Rights of Specific Groups :- HRW works to protect the rights of
women, children, LGBTQ individuals, refugees, and other
vulnerable populations.
➢ Digital Rights :- HRW examines the impact of technology on
human rights, including issues like internet shutdowns and
surveillance.
 WORLD TRADE ORGAMNISATION
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an
intergovernmental organization that regulates
international trade. Established on January 1,
1995, it succeeded the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and provides a
framework for negotiating and formalizing
trade agreements among its 164 member
countries.
 Objectives
✓ Promote Free and Fair Trade:- Reduce trade
barriers and increase market access for goods
and services.-
✓ Resolve Trade Disputes:- Provide a platform for
member countries to resolve trade disputes in a
fair and transparent manner.
✓ Increase Transparency:- Conduct regular
reviews of trade policies to promote
transparency and monitor adherence to WTO
agreements.
 Key Functions
❑ Administering Trade Agreements:- The WTO oversees various trade
agreements that govern international trade, including goods, services, and
intellectual property.
❑ Dispute Resolution:- The organization provides a structured process for
resolving trade disputes between member countries, fostering a legal
framework that encourages compliance and negotiation.
❑ Monitoring Trade Policies:- The WTO conducts regular reviews of national
trade policies to ensure compliance with WTO agreements.
❑ Technical Assistance and Training :- The organization offers training
programs for developing countries to help them understand and
implement trade agreements.
❑ Cooperation with Other International Organizations :- The WTO
collaborates with global entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
and the World Bank to promote trade and economic development.
 UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations (UN) is a global
intergovernmental organization established in 1945
to maintain international peace and security,
develop friendly relations among nations, and
achieve cooperation in solving international
problems. It is comprised of 193 member states and
its work is guided by the purposes and principles
outlined in the UN Charter.
 EVOLUTION OF UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations Organization (UNO), now simply
the United Nations (UN), evolved from discussions
and agreements during World War II aimed at
preventing future global conflicts. It was formally
established on October 24, 1945, with the goal of
maintaining international peace and security,
developing friendly relations among nations, and
promoting social progress and human rights.
Here's a more detailed look at its evolution:
❑Early Discussions and Agreements :- Declaration by United
Nations (1942):This declaration, signed by 26 nations, marked the
first use of the term "United Nations" to refer to the Allied countries
during World War II.
❑Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944):- Representatives from
China, the UK, the USSR, and the US met to outline a structure for
a new international organization.
❑Yalta Conference (1945):- Leaders of the Allied powers (US, UK,
and USSR) met to discuss the post-war world and finalize plans for
the United Nations.
❑San Francisco Conference (1945):- Delegates from 50 nations
gathered to draft the UN Charter, which was signed on June 26,
1945.
 OBJECTIVES OF UNITED NATIONS
The primary objectives of the United Nations (UN) are to
maintain international peace and security, develop
friendly relations among nations, promote cooperation in
solving global problems, and serve as a center for
harmonizing actions towards these common goals. These
objectives are further detailed in the UN Charter,
encompassing areas like human rights, humanitarian aid,
and sustainable development.

Here's a more detailed look at the UN's objectives:

❑ Maintaining International Peace and Security :- This includes
preventing and resolving conflicts, suppressing acts of
aggression, and promoting peaceful settlements of disputes.
❑ Developing Friendly Relations :- The UN aims to foster
cooperation between nations based on principles of equal rights
and self-determination.
❑ Promoting Cooperation :- The UN facilitates international
cooperation on economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian
issues.
❑ Protecting Human Rights :- A key objective is to promote and
encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all, without discrimination.
❑ Serving as a Center for Harmonization :- The UN acts as a
platform where nations can come together to discuss global
issues and coordinate their actions to achieve common goals.
 MEMBERS OF UNO

The United Nations currently

The five permanent
has 193 member states.
members of the United
These member states include
Nations Security Council
almost all of the world's
are China, France, Russia,
sovereign nations, with the
the United Kingdom, and
exception of a few, like
the United States. These
Vatican City and Palestine,
nations hold permanent
which have permanent
seats on the Council and
observer status. The latest
possess the power to
state to join the UN was
veto resolutions
South Sudan in 2011.
Only one country has ever formally
withdrawn from the United Nations:
Indonesia. In 1965, Indonesia
announced its withdrawal due to a
dispute with Malaysia, but rejoined
the organization the following year.
 UN SECRETARY GENERAL

The UN Secretary-General is the chief administrative

officer of the United Nations, acting as a symbol of the
organization's ideals and a spokesperson for the world's
peoples. The position is appointed by the General
Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security
Council, with a five-year term, renewable once. The
Secretary-General's duties include resolving international
disputes, administering peacekeeping operations,
organizing international conferences, and consulting
with member governments.
 WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

The World Health ✓ Foundation:-

Organization (WHO) is a Established on April 7,
specialized agency of the 1948 (celebrated as
United Nations dedicated to World Health Day).
international public health. It ✓ Headquarters:-
coordinates global Located in Geneva,
responses to health issues Switzerland.
and emergencies, striving ✓ Membership:
for the attainment of the Comprises 194
highest possible level of member states,
health for all people. grouped into 6
regions, with 150 field
offices worldwide.
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The United Nations Development

Programme is a United Nations
agency tasked with helping
countries eliminate poverty and
achieve sustainable economic
growth and human development.
The UNDP emphasizes on
developing local capacity towards
long-term self-sufficiency and
prosperity.
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

The UNHRC is an acronym for the

United Nations Human Rights Council.
It's a UN body that promotes and
protects human rights worldwide. The
Council addresses human rights
violations and makes recommendations
to improve human rights situations.
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) is the UN agency mandated to lead and
coordinate international action to protect refugees and
resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its core mission
is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees
and to find durable solutions for them, including
voluntary repatriation, local integration, or
resettlement in a third country.
 UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN FUND

The full form of UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund. It was
originally established in 1946 as the United Nations International
Children's Emergency Fund to provide emergency aid to children
affected by World War II. In 1953, its mandate was broadened to
address the long-term needs of children and women in developing
countries, and it became a permanent part of the United Nations
system
 UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organization is a specialized
agency of the United Nations with the aim
of promoting world peace and security
through international cooperation in
education, arts, sciences and culture.
ORGANS OF UN ITED NATIONS
 UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

❑ Among all other organs of the United Nations (UN), the

General Assembly is the most important organ of the
United Nations (UN).
❑ The main objective of this organ of the United Nations is
policymaking for the work of the UN.
❑ It constitutes the representatives of all 193 Member States
of the UN, therefore making it the only United Nations
organ with universal representation.
❑ Therefore, we also call it the Parliament of the World.
❑ Each member nation has one vote.
❑ They meet once a year to discuss important international
issues.
❑ Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace
and security, admission of new members, and budgetary
matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General
Assembly.
❑ It is mandatory to take the views and opinions of each
member nation before making any decision.
❑ The headquarters of the General Assembly is in New York,
USA.
 SECURITY COUNCIL
❑ The Security Council is the most important and the most powerful
organ of the United Nations (UN).
❑ The main objective of the Security Council is to maintain
international peace and security.
❑ It has fifteen members (five permanent members and ten non-
permanent members).
❑ The General Assembly elects ten other non-permanent members
for two years.
❑ The permanent members have the power to veto, i.e., to vote
against the matter being discussed.
❑ The power to veto is the most important power
attributed to the permanent members.
❑ To understand its importance, consider this
scenario. In the United Nations Security Council,
decisions are made by a majority of 9 votes out
of 15 votes.
❑ However, even if one of the five permanent
members of the Security Council makes use of
its veto, the division will be put to abeyance.
❑ The Security Council determines whether a threat to
peace or an act of aggression exists.
❑ It calls upon the parties in a dispute to settle it by
peaceful means and recommends methods of
adjustment or terms of settlement.
❑ In some cases, the Security Council can resort to
imposing sanctions or even authorizing the use of
force to maintain or restore international peace and
security.
 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
❑ The Economic and Social Council, established in 1945, looks after the
programs of the United Nations related to health, education, social
upliftment, culture, etc.
❑ The main objectives of this organ or body of the United Nations are policy
review, policy dialogue, and recommendations on economic, social, and
environmental issues, as well as the implementation of internationally
agreed-upon development goals.
❑ Various agencies of the council help the poor, sick, and illiterate people all
over the world to improve their standard of living.
❑ It has 54 Members, elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-
year terms.
❑ Its headquarters are in New York, USA & Geneva, Switzerland.
 SECRETARIAT
❖ The Secretariat handles all the administrative work of the UN.
❖ It carries out the daily work of the UN.
❖ The Secretary-General is the head of the Secretariat and the most
powerful official of the UN.
❖ The General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General for five
years.
❖ The office of the Secretary General of the United Nations
comprises tens of thousands of international UN staff members.
❖ They carry out the day-to-day work of the United Nations as
mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization’s other
principal bodies or organs.
 TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
❑ The United Nations Trusteeship Council is one of the six principal organs of
the United Nations, established in 1945.
❑ The main objective of this organ of the United Nations is to ensure that trust
territories are administered in the best interests of their inhabitants and of
international peace and security.
❑ The trust territories were often former colonies or territories detached from
defeated nations after World War II .
❑ All of these trust territories have now attained self-government or
independence, either as separate nations or by joining neighboring
independent countries.
❑ The last was Palau, formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,
which became a member state of the United Nations in December 1994.
 What is a trust territory?
A trust territory was a non-self-governing territory
placed under the administration of a country
designated by the United Nations, with the goal of
preparing it for self-governance or independence.
These territories were often former colonies or
territories detached from defeated nations after
World War II. The UN Trusteeship Council oversaw
these territories, with the administering power
responsible for their political, economic, social, and
educational advancement.
 INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
❖ The International Court of Justice, established in 1945, is the chief
court of the UN.
❖ The main objective of this organ of the United Nations is to settle
all legal disputes between member nations peacefully.
❖ The court has fifteen judges elected for a term of nine years.
❖ The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague,
Netherlands.
❖ The Court’s role is to settle, by international law, legal disputes
submitted to it by States.
❖ The court also gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred
to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies
MDG stands for Millennium Development Goals. These were eight
international development goals that 189 countries pledged to achieve by the
year 2015. They were adopted in the UN Millennium Declaration of 2000 and
focused on issues like poverty, hunger, disease, gender inequality, and
environmental degradation.
Goals:-
I. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
II. Achieve universal primary education.
III. Promote gender equality and empower women.
IV. Reduce child mortality.
V. Improve maternal health.
VI. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
VII. Ensure environmental sustainability.
VIII.Develop a global partnership for development.
 UNITED NATIONS PEACE KEEPING
OPERATIONS
United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Operations are a core
mechanism for the UN to maintain global peace and security.
They involve deploying military, police, and civilian personnel
to conflict zones to support ceasefires, protect civilians, and
assist in peacebuilding efforts. These operations are a unique
partnership involving the General Assembly, Security Council,
Secretariat, troop contributors, and host governments
according to the United Nations.