UN System - United Nations

3/9/23, 9:03 AM UN System | United Nations
Peace, dignity and equality

on a healthy planet ()
UN System
A family in Syria pick up their monthly World Food Programme food allowance. Almost 100 million people in around 88
countries receive assistance from WFP every year through food or cash distributions, nutrition support programmes and
other activities. The World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. Photo: WFP/Ali Habib

The United Nations 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
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-system 1/14
UNDP
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The United Nations Development Programme
(http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html) (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 United Nations Environment Programme (http://www.unep.org/) (UNEP) established in 1972, is
the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate,
educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global
environment.
UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund (http://www.unfpa.org/) (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 United Nations Human Settlements Programme (http://unhabitat.org/) (UN-
HABITAT) is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development
and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (http://www.unicef.org/) 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 World Food Programme (http://www.wfp.org/) 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 United Nations. 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
The Food and Agriculture Organization (http://www.fao.org/) 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 International Civil Aviation Organization (https://www.icao.int/) develops standards for global air
transport and assists its 192 Member States in sharing the world’s skies to their socio-economic
benefit.
IFAD
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (http://www.ifad.org/), 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 International Labor Organization (http://www.ilo.org/) 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 International Monetary Fund (http://www.imf.org/) 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 International Maritime Organization (http://www.imo.org/) has created a comprehensive shipping
regulatory framework, addressing safety and environmental concerns, legal matters, technical
cooperation, security, and efficiency.
ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (http://www.itu.int/) is the United Nations specialized
agency for information and communication technologies. It is committed to connecting all the world's
people – 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 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (http://en.unesco.org/) 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 United Nations Industrial Development Organization (http://www.unido.org/) is the specialized
agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive
globalization and environmental sustainability.
UNWTO
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
The World Tourism Organization (https://www.unwto.org/) is the United Nations agency responsible
for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
UPU
Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland
The Universal Postal Union (http://www.upu.int/) 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
The World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/) is the directing and coordinating authority on
international health within the United Nations 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
The World Intellectual Property Organization (http://www.wipo.int/) protects intellectual property
throughout the world through 23 international treaties.
WMO
The World Meteorological Organization (https://public.wmo.int/en) 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 World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/) 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.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-
we-are/ibrd) (IBRD)
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(https://icsid.worldbank.org/) (ICSID)*
International Development Association (http://www.worldbank.org/ida) (IDA)
International Finance Corporation (http://www.ifc.org/) (IFC)
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (http://www.miga.org/) (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
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (http://www.unaids.org/en) (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 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/).
UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (https://www.unhcr.org/) – UNHCR protects
refugees worldwide and facilitates their return home or resettlement.
UNIDIR
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (http://www.unidir.org/) is a voluntarily funded
autonomous institute within the United Nations. 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
An autonomous UN body established in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research
(http://www.unitar.org/) is a training arm of the United Nations 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 United Nations Office for Project Services
(https://www.unops.org/english/Pages/Home.aspx) 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 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(http://www.unrwa.org/) has contributed to the welfare and human development of four generations
of Palestine refugees (https://www.unrwa.org/who-we-are). 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 United Nations System Staff College (https://www.unssc.org/) is the learning organization of the
United Nations system. It designs and delivers learning programmes for staff of the UN system and
its partners. It helps the United Nations become more effective by fostering a common leadership and
management culture across the system.
UNU
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
The United Nations University (https://unu.edu/) 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
UN Women (http://www.unwomen.org/en) 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
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
(http://www.ctbto.org/) 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
The International Atomic Energy Agency (https://www.iaea.org/), 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 International Criminal Court (https://www.icc-cpi.int/) 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
The International Organization for Migration (http://www.iom.int/) 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 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (http://www.opcw.org/) 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 UNFCCC Secretariat (https://unfccc.int/) (UN Climate Change) was established in 1992 when
countries adopted the United Nations 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 United Nations entity
tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change.
WTO
The World Trade Organization (https://www.wto.org/) 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
The International Trade Centre (https://www.intracen.org/) (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
United Nations.
See also UN System Chart
(https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2021/09/un_system_chart.pdf)
(https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.un.org%2Fen%2Fa
us%2Fun-system&title=UN%20System%20%7C%20United%20Nations)
(/#facebook)
(/#twitter)
(/#email)
(/#whatsapp)
MAIN BODIES
 General Assembly (http://www.un.org/en/ga/)

 Security Council (https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/)
 Economic and Social Council (http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/)
 Trusteeship Council (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/trusteeship-council)
 International Court of Justice (http://www.icj-cij.org/en)
 Secretariat (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/secretariat)
DEPARTMENTS / OFFICES
 New York (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/secretariat)

 Geneva (http://www.unog.ch/)
 Nairobi (http://www.unon.org/)
 Vienna (http://www.unvienna.org/)
 UN System Directory (http://www.unsceb.org/directory/)
 UN System Chart (https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2021/09/un_system_chart.pdf)
 Global Leadership (https://www.un.org/sg/en/global-leadership/home)
 UN Information Centres (http://unic.un.org/)
RESOURCES / SERVICES
 Emergency information (http://emergency.un.org/)

 Reporting Wrongdoing (https://oios.un.org/report-wrongdoing)
 UN Journal (https://journal.un.org/)
 Documents (https://www.un.org/en/our-work/documents)
 Guidelines for gender-inclusive language (http://www.un.org/en/gender-inclusive-language/)
 Databases (https://www.un.org/en/library/page/databases)
 Library (https://www.un.org/library)
 UN iLibrary (http://www.un-ilibrary.org/)
 UN Chronicle (https://www.un.org/en/chronicle)
 UN Yearbook (http://unyearbook.un.org/)
 Bookshop (https://shop.un.org/about-0#visit_the_bookshop)
 Publications for sale (https://shop.un.org/)
 Maps (https://www.un.org/geospatial/)
 Media Accreditation (http://www.un.org/en/media/accreditation/)
 NGO accreditation at ECOSOC (http://csonet.org/index.php?menu=34)
 NGO accreditation at DGC (https://www.un.org/en/civil-society/page/application)
 Visitors’ services (http://visit.un.org/)
 Exhibits (https://www.un.org/exhibits)
 Procurement (http://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/welcome-united-nations-procurement-division-unpd)
 Employment (https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx)
 Internships (https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=IP)
 Model UN (https://www.un.org/en/mun)
 Academic Impact (/en/academicimpact)
 UN Archives (https://archives.un.org/)
 UN Audiovisual Library (http://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/)
 How to donate to the UN system (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/how-to-donate-to-the-un-system)
 Information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus)
 Africa Renewal (https://www.un.org/africarenewal/)
 UN Action: 10 Facts (https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/un_card_2022_e.pdf)
 High-level summits 2022 (https://www.un.org/en/content/summits2022/)
KEY DOCUMENTS
 UN Charter (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter)
 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights)
 Convention on the Rights of the Child (http://www.unicef.org/crc/)
 Statute of the International Court of Justice (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/statute-of-the-
international-court-of-justice)
 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization (https://www.un.org/annualreport/)
NEWS AND MEDIA
 News (https://news.un.org/en/)
 Press Releases (http://www.un.org/press/en/)
 Briefings (http://www.un.org/press/en/content/noon-briefings)
 Spokesperson (http://www.un.org/sg/spokesperson/)
 Photos (https://dam.media.un.org/)
 UNIfeed (http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/)
 UN Web TV (https://media.un.org/en/webtv)
 UN in Action (http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unia/)
 Social Media (https://www.un.org/en/get-involved/social-media)
 The Essential UN (http://www.un.org/en/essential-un/)
 Awake at Night podcast (https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night)
ISSUES / CAMPAIGNS
 Global Issues (https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/)

 Observances (https://www.un.org/en/observances)
 Sustainable Development Goals (http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/)
 Climate Change (http://www.un.org/en/climatechange/)
 UN and Sustainability (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-and-sustainability)
 Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) (https://www.un.org/en/A4P/)
 Global Ceasefire (https://www.un.org/en/globalceasefire)
 Global Crisis Response Group (https://news.un.org/pages/global-crisis-response-group/)
 SG's Call to Action for Human Rights (https://www.un.org/en/content/action-for-human-rights/index.shtml)
 Hate Speech (https://www.un.org/en/hate-speech)
 Rule of Law (https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/)
 Refugees and Migrants (http://refugeesmigrants.un.org/)
 Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement (https://www.un.org/en/content/action-agenda-on-
internal-displacement/)
 Action to Counter Terrorism (http://www.un.org/en/counterterrorism/)
 Victims of Terrorism (http://www.un.org/victimsofterrorism/en)
 Children and Armed Conflict (https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/)
 Violence Against Children (SRSG) (https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/)
 Sexual Violence in Conflict (https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/)
 Spotlight Initiative (http://www.un.org/en/spotlight-initiative/index.shtml)
 Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (https://www.un.org/preventing-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/)
 Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect (http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/)

 The Rwanda Genocide (http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/)
 The Holocaust (http://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/)
 The Question of Palestine (https://www.un.org/unispal/)
 The Transatlantic Slave Trade (https://www.un.org/en/rememberslavery)
 Decolonization (https://www.un.org/dppa/decolonization/en)
 Messengers of Peace (https://www.un.org/en/mop)
 SG’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (https://www.un.org/en/content/digital-cooperation-roadmap/)
 Countering Disinformaiton (https://www.un.org/en/countering-disinformation)
 UN75: 2020 and Beyond (https://www.un.org/en/un75)
 Women Rise for All (https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/women-rise-for-all)
 Disability Inclusion Strategy (https://www.un.org/en/content/disabilitystrategy/)
 Secretary-General’s Data Strategy (https://www.un.org/datastrategy)
 Digital Financing Task Force (https://www.un.org/en/digital-financing-taskforce)
 Stop the Red Sea Catastrophe (https://www.un.org/StopRedSeaSpill)
 Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Centre (https://www.un.org/black-sea-grain-initiative)
 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Response (Donate) (https://www.un.org/en/turkiye-syria-earthquake-response)
(https://www.un.org/en/)
D O N AT E ( / E N / A B O U T- U S / H O W- TO - D O N AT E - TO - T H E - U N - S YS T E M )
 (https://www.facebook.com/unitednations)  (http://twitter.com/un)
 (http://www.youtube.com/unitednations)  (http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/)
 (http://instagram.com/unitednations)
A-Z SITE INDEX (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/SITE-INDEX) CONTACT (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/CONTACT-US-0)

COPYRIGHT (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/ABOUT-US/COPYRIGHT)
FAQ (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/ABOUT-US/FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS)
FRAUD ALERT (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/ABOUT-US/FRAUD-ALERT)
PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/ABOUT-US/PRIVACY-NOTICE)
TERMS OF USE (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/ABOUT-US/TERMS-OF-USE)

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UN System - United Nations

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3/9/23, 9:03 AM UN System | United Nations

Peace, dignity and equality

Funds and Programmes

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (http://en.unesco.org/) focuses

The World Meteorological Organization (https://public.wmo.int/en) facilitates the free international

Other Entities and Bodies

 General Assembly (http://www.un.org/en/ga/)

 New York (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/secretariat)

 Emergency information (http://emergency.un.org/)

NEWS AND MEDIA

 Global Issues (https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/)

 Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect (http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/)

A-Z SITE INDEX (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/SITE-INDEX) CONTACT (HTTPS://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/CONTACT-US-0)

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