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Globalization
United Nations
THE SPECIALIZED AGENCIES
Autonomous organizations joined to the UN through special agreements:
- ILO (International Labour Organization): Formulates policies and programmes to
improve working conditions and employment opportunities, and sets labour
standards used by countries around the world.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN): Works to improve agricultural
productivity and food security, and to better the living standards of rural
populations.
- UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): Promotes
education for all, cultural development, protection of the world's natural and
cultural heritage, international cooperation in science, press freedom and
communication.
- WHO (World Health Organization): Coordinates programmes aimed at solving health
problems and the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of
health. It works in such areas as immunization, health education and the
provision of essential drugs.
- World Bank Group: Provides loans and technical assistance to developing
countries to reduce poverty and advance sustainable economic growth.
- IMF (International Monetary Fund): Facilitates international monetary cooperation
and financial stability and provides a permanent forum for consultation, advice
and assistance on financial issues.
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization): Sets international standards
for the safety, security and efficiency of air transport, and serves as the
coordinator for international cooperation in all areas of civil aviation.
- UPU (Universal Postal Union): Establishes international regulations for postal
services, provides technical assistance and promotes cooperation in postal
matters.
- ITU (International Telecommunication Union): Fosters international cooperation
to improve telecommunications of all kinds, coordinates usage of radio and TV
frequencies, promotes safety measures and conducts research.
- WMO (World Meteorological Organization): Promotes scientific research on the
Earth's atmosphere and on climate change, and facilitates the global exchange of
meteorological data.
- IMO (International Maritime Organization): Works to improve international
shipping procedures, raise standards in marine safety, and reduce marine
pollution by ships.
- WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization): Promotes international
protection of intellectual property and fosters cooperation on copyrights,
trademarks, industrial designs and patents.
- IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development): Mobilizes financial
resources to raise food production and nutrition levels among the poor in
developing countries.
- UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization): Promotes the industrial
advancement of developing countries through technical assistance, advisory
services and training.
- IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency): An autonomous intergovernmental
organization under the aegis of the UN, it works for the safe and peaceful uses
of atomic energy.
The UN Commission on International Trade Law develops rules and
guidelines designed to harmonize and facilitate laws regulating international
trade. The UN has also pioneered the development of international environmental
law. Agreements such as the convention to combat desertification, the convention
on the ozone layer, and the convention on the transborder movement of hazardous
wastes are administered by the UN Environment Programme.
To increase the participation of developing countries in the global economy, the
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) promotes international
trade. UNCTAD also works with the World Trade Organization (WTO), a
separate entity, in assisting developing countries' exports through the
International Trade Centre.
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