International Organizations and the United Nations

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Organizations made up of nation-states.

Nation-state

A type of state that provides sovereign territory for a particular culture or ethnic group.

Treaty

A legally binding agreement between two or more states, sovereigns, or international organizations.

Organs

Agencies within organizations that perform specific functions.

Adjudication

Settling a dispute through a formal structure such as a courtroom.

G8 (Group of 8)

Made up of the wealthy nations of the world, the G8 seeks to set global economic policy.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization providing extensive statistics on economic, social, environmental, political, and demographic data.

International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)

The world's largest police organization with 186 members, providing information about its structure, purpose, and initiatives.

African Union (AU)

An organization providing detailed information about its structure, recent activities, news, and events relevant to the continent.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An organization with a Country Information Page containing reports and publications arranged by country.

African Development Bank

An organization providing information on projects supported by the bank and a database containing documents about economic activity and development projects in Africa.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

An organization working with governments, NGOs, and IGOs to assist with humane and orderly migration, with migration statistics available on its website.

Asian Development Bank

An organization providing detailed economic information about Asia and the Pacific, including a list of publications relevant to Asian development.

Islamic Development Bank Group

An organization seeking to promote development among Islamic countries, fostering economic growth and social progress within the framework of Islamic Law.

The Commonwealth

A group of 53 independent nation-states promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance, with detailed information on the organization's activities available on its website.

International Telecommunication Union

An organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with 191 members, seeking to help the world communicate by promoting standardization.

International Trade Centre

A joint agency of the WTO and the UN, providing information about development projects and trade issues.

European Union (EU)

Provides detailed info on purpose, structure, member nations, and activities

International Whaling Commission

Offers info on treaties related to whaling, conservation, and whale management

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

World's largest security organization with 56 member nations, detailing operations

North American Development Bank

Binational organization for US and Mexico with environmental initiatives

Organization of American States (OAS)

Promotes dialogue among Western Hemisphere nations, details institutions and programs

North American Free Trade Agreement Secretariat (NAFTA)

Trinational free trade zone of Mexico, US, and Canada, info on disputes and agreements

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Regulates oil production, stabilizes market, ensures investor returns, info on member nations

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

Began in 1961, focuses on global economic issues, made up of developing countries

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Provides info on organization, actions in conflicts, and offers an elibrary and multimedia

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Contains info on structure, legal documents, and members (153), trading rounds details

League of Nations

Global IGO to prevent conflicts, established in 1920 after WWI, aimed at peace maintenance

Fourteen Points

Speech by US President Wilson outlining peace treaty framework post-WWI

Charter

Document outlining rights and duties of an institution

Sanctions

Economic restrictions or embargoes placed on a nation-state

Treaty of Versailles

Ended WWI, held Germany responsible for the war, demanded reparations

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Founded in 1919, promotes decent working conditions globally as a UN specialized agency

Ethiopia

Country invaded by Italy in 1935, leading to League sanctions.

Mustard gas

Chemical weapon used by Italy in Ethiopia, violating global ban.

Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ)

Precursor to the UN's International Court of Justice, aimed at conflict resolution.

Nobel Peace Prize

Award recognizing individuals or groups promoting peace.

United Nations

International organization succeeding the League, founded in 1945.

United Nations General Assembly

Legislative branch of the UN where all member nations have representation.

Secretary-General (UN)

Official spokesperson and administrative head of the UN.

Permanent members

Five UNSC members with veto power: US, France, Britain, China, Russia.

Cold War

Ideological standoff between the US and Soviet Union from 1945 to 1989.

Balkans

Peninsula in Southeastern Europe including countries like Albania, Greece, and Serbia.

Taiwan

Recognized by the UN as the Republic of China until 1971.

People's Republic of China

Recognized by the UN in 1971 as 'China'.

UN Membership

Taiwan denied UN membership over 15 times.

Greece vs. Macedonia

Greece blocked Macedonia's UN membership over territorial concerns.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

Macedonia's UN entry title after Greek objection.

UN General Assembly (UNGA)

Criticism for slow pace in debates and speeches.

UN Security Council (UNSC)

15-member UN organ responsible for peace and security.

Permanent UNSC Members

US, Britain, China, Russia, and France have veto power.

UNSC Role

Recommends new members, nominates Secretary-General, and authorizes force.

UNSC Composition

15 members: 5 permanent, 10 rotating for two-year terms.

Veto Power

Allows any permanent UNSC member to block UN actions.

Cold War Veto

US and Soviet Union often vetoed each other's actions.

UNSC Controversies

Debates over veto power's impact on UN effectiveness.

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Promotes international cooperation, development, and consumes 80% of UN budget.

ECOSOC Functions

Promotes living standards, identifies solutions, facilitates cooperation, and upholds human rights.

UN Statistical Yearbook

Annual UN publication with economic, social, and environmental data.

United Nations Statistical Yearbook

An annually published collection of data related to economic activity, population, and social statistics.

Trusteeship Council

UN organ assisting former colonies to independence; became inactive in 1994.

Oceania

Group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

UN judicial organ hearing cases involving nation-states.

Secretary-Generals of the United Nations

Leaders of the UN Secretariat from various countries serving specific years.

Secretariat

UN administrative organ led by the Secretary-General.

Suez Crisis

Military attack on Egypt after nationalizing the Suez Canal.

UN budget

Funds the General Assembly, Secretariat, Security Council, and more.

Assessment

Amount each country contributes to the UN's regular budget.

Arrears

Unpaid portion of a state's assessment after the due date.

Preventive diplomacy

Diplomatic efforts to prevent conflicts before they escalate.