International Organizations: UN, WHO, UNESCO, and More

UNITED NATIONS (UN)

Founded on October 24, 1945.

UN MEMBERS

194 member states.

UN FUNCTIONS

The UN serves as a forum for international cooperation, diplomacy, and problem-solving. Its functions include maintaining international peace and security, promoting economic and social development, upholding human rights, and providing humanitarian assistance.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

Founded on April 7, 1948, as a specialized agency of the United Nations.

WHO MEMBERS

194 member states.

WHO FUNCTIONS

WHO is responsible for global public health. It sets international health standards, conducts research, monitors health trends, provides technical assistance to countries, and responds to health emergencies, including pandemics.

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)

Founded on November 16, 1945, as a specialized agency of the United Nations.

UNESCO MEMBERS

193 member states.

UNESCO FUNCTIONS

UNESCO promotes international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication. Its activities include protecting cultural heritage, advancing education, supporting media freedom, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)

Founded on December 11, 1946, as a subsidiary of the United Nations.

UNICEF MEMBERS

194 member states.

UNICEF FUNCTIONS

UNICEF works to improve the well-being of children worldwide. It provides humanitarian aid, supports access to education, healthcare, and nutrition, advocates for children's rights, and responds to emergencies affecting children.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)

Founded on July 22, 1944, with operations commencing in 1947.

IMF MEMBERS

190 member countries.

IMF FUNCTIONS

The IMF promotes international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability. It provides financial assistance to member countries facing balance of payments problems and offers policy advice on economic and financial matters.

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

Officially established on January 1, 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

WTO MEMBERS

164 member countries.

WTO FUNCTIONS

The WTO administers global trade rules, facilitates negotiations on trade agreements, and provides a forum for dispute resolution in international trade disputes. It aims to promote free and fair trade among its members.

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

Founded on August 8, 1967.

ASEAN

ASEAN consists of 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ASEAN Functions

ASEAN promotes regional stability, economic cooperation, and integration among Southeast Asian nations. Its functions include political and security cooperation, economic development, and cultural exchange.

G8 Established

Informally founded in the 1970s, with meetings beginning in the 1990s. Note that it became the Group of Seven (G7) in 2014 when Russia was suspended.

G8 Members

The G8 originally included Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

G8 Functions

The G8 (now G7) is an informal forum of major industrialized democracies. It discusses global economic issues, security, and international relations.

NATO Established

Founded on April 4, 1949.

NATO Members

NATO has 30 member countries.

NATO Functions

NATO is a military alliance focused on collective defense and security. It aims to ensure the security and stability of its member states through mutual defense and cooperation.

World Bank Established

The World Bank was established in 1944, and the World Bank Group as a whole consists of five institutions, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

World Bank Members

The World Bank has 189 member countries (as of my last knowledge update).

World Bank Functions

The World Bank Group provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for infrastructure development, poverty reduction, and economic development.

African Union Established

Founded on July 26, 2001, as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

African Union Members

The African Union has 55 member states (as of my last knowledge update).

African Union Functions

The AU promotes political and economic integration in Africa, peace and security, and sustainable development on the continent. It also works to address regional conflicts and crises.

OAS Established

Founded on April 30, 1948.

OAS Members

The OAS has 35 member countries in the Americas (as of my last knowledge update).

OAS Functions

The OAS promotes democracy, human rights, and regional security in the Americas. It also provides a forum for diplomatic dialogue and conflict resolution.

Global Interstate System

a facet of contemporary political globalization that seeks to form collaboration among nation-states through the establishment of intergovernmental organizations.

Internationalism

The global interstate system is rooted on the idea of internationalism.