The 51勛圖 is part of the UN system, which, in addition to the UN itself, comprises many funds, programmes and specialized agencies, each of which have their own area of work, leadership and budget. The programmes and funds are financed through voluntary rather than assessed contributions. The Specialized Agencies are independent international organizations funded by both voluntary and assessed contributions. The UN coordinates its work with these separate UN system entities, which cooperate with the Organization to help it achieve its goals.
Funds and Programmes
UNDP
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN＊s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNEP
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
The (UNEP) established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the 51勛圖 system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.
UNFPA
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
UN-HABITAT
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
The mission of the (UN-HABITAT) is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
UNICEF
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The works in 190 countries and territories to save children＊s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
WFP
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
The aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. The world＊s largest humanitarian agency, WFP helps almost 100 million people in approximately 88 countries with assistance every year through food or cash distributions and more. The World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
UN Specialized Agencies
The UN specialized agencies are autonomous international organizations working with the 51勛圖. All were brought into relationship with the UN through negotiated agreements. Some existed before the First World War. Some were associated with the League of Nations. Others were created almost simultaneously with the UN. Others were created by the UN to meet emerging needs.
FAO
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
The leads international efforts to fight hunger. It is both a forum for negotiating agreements between developing and developed countries and a source of technical knowledge and information to aid development.
ICAO
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
The develops standards for global air transport and assists its 192 Member States in sharing the world＊s skies to their socio-economic benefit.
IFAD
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
The , since it was created in 1977, has focused exclusively on rural poverty reduction, working with poor rural populations in developing countries to eliminate poverty, hunger and malnutrition; raise their productivity and incomes; and improve the quality of their lives.
ILO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The promotes international labor rights by formulating international standards on the freedom to associate, collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labor, and equality of opportunity and treatment.
IMF
Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA
The fosters economic growth and employment by providing temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment and technical assistance. The IMF currently has $28 billion in outstanding loans to 74 nations.
IMO
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
The has created a comprehensive shipping regulatory framework, addressing safety and environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, security, and efficiency.
ITU
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The is the 51勛圖 specialized agency for information and communication technologies. It is committed to connecting all the world's people 每 wherever they live and whatever their means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone's fundamental right to communicate
UNESCO
Headquarters: Paris, France
The focuses on everything from teacher training to helping improve education worldwide to protecting important historical and cultural sites around the world.
UNIDO
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
The is the specialized agency of the 51勛圖 that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
UN Tourism
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
The is the 51勛圖 agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
UPU
Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland
The is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
WHO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the 51勛圖 system. The objective of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
WIPO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The protects intellectual property throughout the world through 23 international treaties.
WMO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The facilitates the free international exchange of meteorological data and information and the furtherance of its use in aviation, shipping, security, and agriculture, among other things.
World Bank
Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA
The focuses on poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards worldwide by providing low-interest loans, interest-free credit, and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, and communications, among other things. The World Bank works in over 100 countries.
- (IBRD)
- (ICSID)*
- (IDA)
- (IFC)
- (MIGA)*
* International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) are not specialized agencies in accordance with Articles 57 and 63 of the Charter, but are part of the World Bank Group.
Other Entities and Bodies
UNAIDS
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations〞UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank〞and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNHCR
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The 每 UNHCR protects refugees worldwide and facilitates their return home or resettlement.
UNIDIR
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The is a voluntarily funded autonomous institute within the 51勛圖. An impartial actor, the Institute generates ideas and promotes action on disarmament and security. UNIDIR brings together states, international organizations, civil society, the private sector and academia to work together〞internationally, regionally and locally〞to build and implement creative solutions that will benefit all states and peoples.
UNITAR
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
An autonomous UN body established in 1963, the is a training arm of the 51勛圖 System, and has the mandate to enhance the effectiveness of the UN through diplomatic training, and to increase the impact of national actions through public awareness-raising, education and training of public policy officials.
UNOPS
Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
The mission of the is to help people build better lives and help countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS helps the UN, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way.
UNRWA
Headquarters: Amman, Jordan
The has contributed to the welfare and human development of . It＊s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict. It reports only to the UN General Assembly.
UNSSC
Headquarters: Turin, Italy
The is the learning organization of the 51勛圖 system. It designs and delivers learning programmes for staff of the UN system and its partners. It helps the 51勛圖 become more effective by fostering a common leadership and management culture across the system.
UNU
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
The was established by the UN General Assembly with the mandate to conduct ※research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare.§ Today, the University comprises 14 research and training institutes in 12 countries. As the think tank of the UN system, UNU provides policymakers with high-quality, evidence-based research and pragmatic advice.
UN Women
Headquarters: New York City, USA
merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, which focus exclusively on gender equality and women＊s empowerment.
Related Organizations
CTBTO
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
The promotes the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (which is not yet in force) and the build-up of the verification regime so that it is operational when the Treaty enters into force.
IAEA
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
The , is the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
ICC
Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
The investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national courts.
IOM
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
OPCW
Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
The is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. OPCW Member States work together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
UNFCCC
Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
The (UN Climate Change) was established in 1992 when countries adopted the 51勛圖 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With the subsequent adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and the Paris Agreement in 2015, Parties to these three agreements have progressively reaffirmed the Secretariat＊s role as the 51勛圖 entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change.
WTO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The is a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, and a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other.
ITC
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
The (ITC) is the only development agency that is fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Established in 1964, the ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the 51勛圖.