List of specialized agencies of the United Nations

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The United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland is the second biggest U.N. centre after the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. United Nations Flags - cropped.jpg
The United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland is the second biggest U.N. centre after the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

United Nations Specialized Agencies are autonomous organizations working with the United Nations and each other through the co-ordinating machinery of the United Nations Economic and Social Council at the intergovernmental level, and through the Chief Executives Board for co-ordination (CEB) at the inter-secretariat level. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

One of the principal objectives of the UN is to solve economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues through international cooperation. Several specialized agencies have been set up to achieve these goals, agencies which may or may not have been created by the UN, but were incorporated into the United Nations System by the United Nations Economic and Social Council acting under Articles 57 and 63 of the United Nations Charter. At present, the U.N. has in total 15 [4] [5] [note 1] specialized agencies that carry out various functions on behalf of the UN. The specialized agencies are listed below. [9] [10]

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

FAO logo FAO logo.svg
FAO logo

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. FAO is the largest of the U.N. agencies. It was established in 1945, succeeding the International Institute of Agriculture , and its headquarters is in [Rome].

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

ICAO flag Flag of ICAO.svg
ICAO flag

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was founded in 1947. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarters are located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation. In addition, ICAO defines the protocols for air accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was established as an international financial institution in 1977, as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference and a response to the situation in the Sahel. It is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Its headquarters are in Rome, Italy.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

ILO flag Flag of ILO.svg
ILO flag

The International Labour Organization (ILO) deals with labour issues. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1919, it was formed through the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles and was initially an agency of the League of Nations. It became a member of the UN system after the demise of the League and the formation of the UN at the end of World War II. Its Constitution, as amended to date, includes the Declaration of Philadelphia on the aims and purposes of the Organization. Its secretariat is known as the International Labour Office.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

IMO flag Flag of the International Maritime Organization.svg
IMO flag

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), was established in 1948 by the United Nations to coordinate international maritime safety and related practices. However, the IMO did not enter into full force until 1958.

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, IMO promotes cooperation between government and the shipping industry to improve maritime safety and prevent marine pollution. IMO is governed by an Assembly of members and is financially administered by a council of members elected from the assembly. The work of IMO is conducted through five committees, and these are supported by technical sub-committees. Member organizations of the U.N. organizational family may observe the proceedings of the IMO. Observer status may be granted to qualified non-governmental organizations.

The IMO is supported by a permanent secretariat of employees who are representative of its members. The secretariat is composed of a Secretary-General who is periodically elected by the Assembly, and various divisions including, inter alia, marine safety, environmental protection, and a conference section. It also promotes international cooperation in education, science and culture.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is part of the United Nations system and has a formal relationship agreement with the U.N., but retains its independence. [11] The IMF provides monetary cooperation and financial stability and acts as a forum for advice, negotiation and assistance on financial issues. It is headquartered in Washington D.C.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. It was founded as the International Telegraph Union in Paris on 17 May 1865. Its main tasks include standardization, allocation of the radio spectrum, and organizing interconnection arrangements between different countries to allow international phone calls—in which regard it performs for telecommunications a similar function to what the Universal Postal Union (UPU) performs for postal services. It has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, next to the U.N.'s Geneva campus.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO flag Flag of UNESCO.svg
UNESCO flag

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945 with its headquarters in Paris, France. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture to propagate further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the U.N. Charter.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations, which promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The organization addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time and works to accelerate economic growth to bring prosperity to all while at the same time safeguarding the environment. UNIDO's mandate is fully aligned with the global development agenda, which underlines the central role of industrialization and its importance as a key enabler for all 17 Global Goals, and especially for SDG9. The Director General is Gerd Müller.

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

UPU flag Flag of UPU.svg
UPU flag

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the worldwide postal system. Each member country agrees to the same set of terms for conducting international postal duties.

World Bank Group (WBG)

The World Bank Group is part of the United Nations System and has a formal relationship agreement with the U.N., but retains its independence. [11] The WBG comprises a group of five legally separate but affiliated institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Development Association (IDA), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). It is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Its mission is to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results and to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors. WBG's headquarters are in Washington, D.C.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes loans to developing countries for development programmes with the stated goal of reducing poverty. It is part of the World Bank Group (WBG).

International Development Association (IDA)

The International Development Association's mandate is close to that of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with a focus on the poorest countries. It is part of the World Bank Group (WBG).

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

The International Finance Corporation is the largest multilateral source of loan and equity financing for private sector projects in the developing world. It is part of the World Bank Group (WBG).

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO flag Flag of WHO.svg
WHO flag

The World Health Organization (WHO) acts as a coordinating authority on international public health and deals with health, sanitation, and diseases and sends medical teams to help combat epidemics. Established on 7th April 1948, when 26 members of the United Nations ratified its Constitution, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health Organization, which had been an agency of the League of Nations. 7 April is now celebrated as World Health Day every year. The WHO is governed by 194 Member States through the World Health Assembly. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations created in 1967 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its purpose is to encourage creative activity and to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world. The organization administers several treaties concerning the protection of intellectual property rights.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

WMO flag Flag of the World Meteorological Organization.svg
WMO flag

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the United Nations for modern meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO or WTO) was established in 1974 in Madrid, Spain, to replace the International Union of Official Tourist Publicity Organizations (IUOTPO). UNWTO has 160 member states and 350 affiliated members representing private organizations, educational institutions, and others. It is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. The World Tourism Organization serves as a forum for tourism policies and acts as a practical source for tourism know-how.

Former specialized agency

The only U.N. specialized agency to go out of existence is the International Refugee Organization (IRO), which existed from 1946 to 1952. In 1952, it was replaced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). [12]

There are other intergovernmental organizations that have concluded cooperation agreements with the United Nations. In terms of cooperation structures, some agreements come very close to the relationship agreements concluded under articles 57 and 63 of the U.N. Charter with the specialized agencies, but due to Charter requirements that the agencies deal with "economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related fields", organizations with such agreements are not formally specialized agencies of the United Nations. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] These organizations are termed Related Organizations by the UN. [19]

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established such an agreement with the UN in 1957. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) also used this model for agreements of their own with the UN. [17] [18] [20]

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission is tasked with preparing the activities of the nuclear non-proliferation organization.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

IAEA flag Flag of IAEA.svg
IAEA flag

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization for scientific and technical cooperation in the field of nuclear technology. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. The IAEA was set up as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957. Before this, in 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower envisioned the creation of this international body to control and develop the use of atomic energy, in his " Atoms for Peace " speech before the U.N. General Assembly. [21] The organization and its former Director-General, Mohamed ElBaradei, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize announced on 7 October 2005. As of March 2015, the IAEA's membership is 164 countries. [22]

Due to historical reasons and the political nature of its work, the IAEA is not a specialized agency. Instead, its relationship with the United Nations is governed by a special agreement as well as by its statute that commits the IAEA to report annually to the General Assembly and, when appropriate, to the Security Council. [23]

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Since September 2016, the International Organization for Migration has been a related organization to the United Nations with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. [24] The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers.

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an intergovernmental organization, located in The Hague, Netherlands. The organization promotes and verifies the adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention which prohibits the use of chemical weapons and requires their destruction. The verification consists of both evaluations of declarations by member states and on-site inspections.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization was established instead of the failed proposal for a specialized agency dealing with trade issues, the International Trade Organization. WTO headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

Summary

No.LogoOfficial nameAbbreviationLocation (Country)Location (City)EstablishedPrecursor establishedMember statesOther participantsMap and reference
Emblem of the United Nations.svg United Nations UNFlag of the United States.svg  United States New York City 1945 1920 United Nations membership of Sovereign States.png UN
Specialized agencies
1 FAO logo.svg Food and Agriculture Organization FAOFlag of Italy.svg  Italy Rome 1945 FAO members and observers.png FAO
2 Icao logo.svg International Civil Aviation Organization ICAOFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Montreal 1947 ICAO.png ICAO
3 International Fund for Agricultural Development IFADFlag of Italy.svg  Italy Rome 1977
  • the UN members except Andorra, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Brunei, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
  • Cook Islands, Niue
  • observers: Holy See
IFAD.png IFAD
4 International Labour Organization ILOFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 1919
  • the UN members except Andorra, Bhutan, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, North Korea
International Labour Organization.png ILO
5 International Maritime Organization IMOFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom London 1959
  • the UN members except Afghanistan, Andorra, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Mali, Micronesia, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
  • Cook Islands
IMO Participation.svg IMO
6 International Monetary Fund IMFFlag of the United States.svg  United States Washington, D.C. 1945
  • the UN members except Andorra, Cuba, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and North Korea;
  • Kosovo
International Monetary Fund.png IMF
7 International Telecommunication Union logo.svg International Telecommunication Union ITUFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 1865 Member states of the International Telecommunication Union.png ITU
8 UNESCO logo English.svg United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCOFlag of France.svg  France Paris 1946 1922 UNESCO member states.png UNESCO
9 UNIDO Logo.svg United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDOFlag of Austria.svg  Austria Vienna 19851966
  • the UN members except Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Estonia, Iceland, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Nauru, New Zealand (as of 31 December 2013), Palau, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, United Kingdom, United States
  • Palestine [27]
Map of UNIDO membership as of 2010.png UNIDO
10 Universal Postal Union UPUFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Bern 1874 Universal Postal Union membership.png UPU
11 World Bank Group logo.svg World Bank Group WBGFlag of the United States.svg  United States Washington, D.C. 1945 World Bank Group.png WBG
12 World Health Organization Logo.svg World Health Organization WHOFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 19481907 World Health Organization membership status map.png WHO
13 World Intellectual Property Organization WIPOFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 1967 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) members world map.png WIPO
14 World Meteorological Organization WMOFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 1950 1873
  • the UN members except Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and San Marino
  • Cook Islands, Niue
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) members - states and territories.png WMO
15 UNWTO Logo.png World Tourism Organization UNWTOFlag of Spain.svg  Spain Madrid 19741925
  • the UN members except Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
UNWTO.png UNWTO
Related organizations
16 Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Logo.svg Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission CTBTO Prep ComFlag of Austria.svg  Austria Vienna 1996 CTBT Participation.svg CTBTO
17 International Atomic Energy Agency Logo.svg International Atomic Energy Agency IAEAFlag of Austria.svg  Austria Vienna 1957
  • the UN members except Andorra, Bhutan, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kiribati, Maldives, Micronesia, Nauru, North Korea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu
  • Holy See
IAEA member states.svg IAEA
18 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPCWFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands The Hague 1997 CWC Participation.svg OPCW
19 World Trade Organization (logo and wordmark).svg World Trade Organization WTOFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 19951948
  • the UN members except Algeria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kiribati, Lebanon, Libya, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, North Korea, Palau, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan
  • customs territory members: European Union, Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese Taipei
WTO members and observers.svg WTO Archived 5 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
20 International Organization for Migration IOMFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Geneva 1951172 member states8 observer states (over 80 global and regional IGOs and NGOs are also observers) IOM members and observers.svg IOM

Notes

  1. In some sources, [6] [7] the UN indicates that there are 17 specialized agencies when counting the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the International Development Association (IDA), all part of the World Bank Group (WBG), as individual specialized agencies. The UN's Annual Statistical Report on procurement states that 41 organizations were in operation in 2021 but that some consolidation had reduced this number to 31 in 2022. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Atomic Energy Agency</span> International organization

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 as an autonomous organization within the United Nations system; though governed by its own founding treaty, the organization reports to both the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, and is headquartered at the UN Office at Vienna, Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Economic and Social Council</span> One of six principal organs of the UN

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the fifteen specialized agencies, the eight functional commissions, and the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Industrial Development Organization</span> Specialized agency of the United Nations

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that assists countries in economic and industrial development. It is headquartered at the UN Office in Vienna, Austria, with a permanent presence in over 60 countries. As of October 4,2024, UNIDO comprises 173 member states, which together set the organization's policies, programs, and principles through the biannual General Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Intellectual Property Organization</span> Specialised agency of the United Nations

The World Intellectual Property Organization is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN). Pursuant to the 1967 Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO was created to promote and protect intellectual property (IP) across the world by cooperating with countries as well as international organizations. It began operations on 26 April 1970 when the convention entered into force. The current Director General is Singaporean Daren Tang, former head of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, who began his term on 1 October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UN Trade and Development</span> Permanent intergovernmental body

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations Secretariat that promotes the interests of developing countries in world trade. It was established in 1964 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development but rebranded to its current name on the occasion of its 60th anniversary in 2024. It reports to both the General Assembly and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNCTAD is composed of 195 member states and works with non-governmental organizations worldwide; its permanent secretariat is at UNOG in Geneva, Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Bank Group</span> Group making loans to developing countries

The World Bank Group (WBG) is a family of five international organizations that make leveraged loans to developing countries. It is the largest and best-known development bank in the world and an observer at the United Nations Development Group. The bank is headquartered in Washington, D.C., in the United States. It provided around $98.83 billion in loans and assistance to "developing" and transition countries in the 2021 fiscal year. The bank's stated mission is to achieve the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity. Total lending as of 2015 for the last 10 years through Development Policy Financing was approximately $117 billion. Its five organizations are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations System</span> Organisations comprising the UN

The United Nations System consists of the United Nations' six principal bodies, the Specialized Agencies and related organizations. The UN System includes subsidiary bodies such as the separately administered funds and programmes, research and training institutes, and other subsidiary entities. Some of these organizations predate the founding of the United Nations in 1945 and were inherited after the dissolution of the League of Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Institute for Training and Research</span> Teaching institute of the United Nations

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations system. UNITAR provides training and capacity development activities to assist mainly developing countries with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other groups and communities who are most vulnerable, including those in conflict situations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeast European Cooperative Initiative</span>

The Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) is a multilateral regional initiative that has been initiated by the European Union, the United States of America and the countries of Southeast Europe within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a support to the implementation of the Dayton Accords in December 1996 at the inaugural session at Geneva on the basis of Final Points of Common EU-USA Understanding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Office at Geneva</span> One of the four major offices of the United Nations

The United Nations Office at Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the four major offices of the United Nations where numerous different UN agencies have a joint presence. The main UNOG administrative offices are located inside the Palais des Nations complex, which was originally constructed for the League of Nations between 1929 and 1938.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs</span> Office of the United Nations Secretariat

The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is an Office of the United Nations Secretariat established in January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament Affairs, part of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan to reform the UN as presented in his report to the General Assembly in July 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Albania</span> Country on the Balkan Peninsula in South-eastern Europe

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Albania:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International organization</span> Organization established by treaty between governments

An international organization, also known as an intergovernmental organization or an international institution, is an organization that is established by a treaty or other type of instrument governed by international law and possesses its own legal personality, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and BRICS. International organizations are composed of primarily member states, but may also include other entities, such as other international organizations, firms, and nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, entities may hold observer status.

South Centre is an intergovernmental organisation of developing nations, established by an intergovernmental agreement (treaty), which came into force on 31 July 1995, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It functions as an independent policy think tank, whilst also holding observer status at the United Nations and other development agencies.

Canada is a member of various international organizations and forums. Canada was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command together with the United States in 1958. The country has membership in the World Trade Organization, the Five Eyes, the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The country joined the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1990, and seeks to expand its ties to Pacific Rim economies through membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). Canada ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and seven principal UN human rights conventions and covenants since then. As of 2023, Canada is a signatory to 15 free trade agreements with 51 different countries, and has diplomatic and consular offices in over 270 locations in approximately 180 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiez Laboratory</span>

The Spiez Laboratory is the Swiss institute for the protection of the population against nuclear, biological and chemical threats and dangers. It is part of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) and is located in Spiez. The Spiez Laboratory is one of the five labs in the world permanently certified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) is a platform for the different United Nations (UN) evaluation offices to discuss evaluation issues and to share evaluation knowledge. It suggests norms and standards for all evaluation offices in the UN and delivers thematic reports concerning monitoring and evaluation. It has 45 members and 3 observers listed below.

References

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  17. 1 2 Bothe, Michael; Ronzitti, Natalino; Rosas, Allan, eds. (1998). The New Chemical Weapons Convention: Implementation and Prospects. Kluwer Law International. p. 6. ISBN   9041110992. The Organization is not a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), but it will have a special relationship with it, to be organized based on an agreement between the two organizations. It could not be a specialized agency within the meaning of Articles 57 and 63 of the UN Charter, as these provisions presuppose that the functions of the agency fall within the powers of the UN Economic and Social Council, which is not the case with the OPCW. Its status will rather be comparable to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  18. 1 2 Lattanzi, Flavia; Schabas, William, eds. (2014). Essays on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Vol. 2. Il Sirente. p. 64. ISBN   9788887847024.
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  20. International Affairs. Volume 53, issues 4–6. Znanye Publishing House. 2007. p. 63. IAEA, for example, is not a UN specialized agency. It submits annual reports to the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council, when necessary. If any questions arise that fall within the purview of the Security Council, the IAEA notifies the SC accordingly. The IAEA's special relationship with the U.N. and U.N. Security Council is also specified in an agreement between the IAEA and the U.N. in 1957. Under this agreement, the IAEA cooperates with the Security Council by furnishing it, at its request, with such information and assistance as may be required in the exercise of its responsibility for the maintenance or restoration of international peace and security. This agreement has since served as a model for UN agreements with nonproliferation organizations such as the OPCW and the CTBTO
  21. About IAEA: History
  22. "IAEA By Numbers". www.iaea.org. 26 May 2014.
  23. Johan Rautenbach: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), para.2. In: Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law.
  24. "IOM Becomes a Related Organization to the UN". International Organization for Migration. 26 July 2016.
  25. Regional organization allowed by their member states to speak on their behalf.
  26. Listed in the table are only these UN observers that participate in the 15 specialized agencies, IAEA, ICJ and WTO.
  27. "Member States List". UNIDO. Retrieved 7 December 2018.