International Organizations
Essential knowledge for competitive exams - UN, WHO, IMF, World Bank & more
Key Facts at a Glance
United Nations
Founded: 1945
Member States: 193
Headquarters: New York, USA
World Health Organization
Founded: 1948
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Member States: 194
International Monetary Fund
Founded: 1944
Member Countries: 190
Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA
Major International Organizations
United Nations (UN)
International organization for maintaining peace and security
Key Details:
- Established: 24 October 1945
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Secretary-General: António Guterres
- Official Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
Principal Organs:
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- International Court of Justice
- Secretariat
Specialized Agencies:
WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, ILO, IMF, World Bank, and many more
World Health Organization (WHO)
Specialized agency for international public health
Key Details:
- Established: 7 April 1948
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- World Health Day: 7 April
Major Initiatives:
- Smallpox Eradication (1980)
- Global Polio Eradication Initiative
- Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
- International Health Regulations
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Promotes international monetary cooperation and financial stability
Key Details:
- Established: July 1944 (Bretton Woods Conference)
- Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA
- Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
- Special Drawing Rights (SDR): International reserve asset
Main Functions:
- Surveillance of global economy
- Financial assistance to member countries
- Technical assistance and training
- Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation
World Bank Group
Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries
Key Details:
- Established: July 1944
- Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA
- President: Ajay Banga
- Five Institutions: IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID
Main Goals:
- End extreme poverty
- Promote shared prosperity
- Support sustainable development
- Provide loans and grants for development projects
Comparison of Major Organizations
| Organization | Established | Headquarters | Head/Leader | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | 1945 | New York, USA | Secretary-General | Maintain international peace and security |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 1948 | Geneva, Switzerland | Director-General | Attain highest possible level of health for all |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 1944 | Washington D.C., USA | Managing Director | Promote international monetary cooperation |
| World Bank | 1944 | Washington D.C., USA | President | Reduce poverty and support development |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) | 1995 | Geneva, Switzerland | Director-General | Regulate international trade |
Quick Quiz for Exam Preparation
1. Which organization is responsible for maintaining international peace and security?
United Nations
World Health Organization
International Monetary Fund
World Trade Organization
2. Where is the headquarters of the World Health Organization located?
New York, USA
Geneva, Switzerland
Washington D.C., USA
Paris, France
3. The International Monetary Fund was established as part of which conference?
San Francisco Conference
Bretton Woods Conference
Yalta Conference
Geneva Conference
4. Which of the following is NOT a UN specialized agency?
UNESCO
ILO
International Red Cross
FAO
Exam Preparation Tips
Focus Areas
- Establishment years and founding documents
- Headquarters locations
- Current heads/leaders
- Main objectives and functions
- Important initiatives and achievements
Memory Techniques
- Create acronyms for organization names
- Associate headquarters with country flags
- Use mnemonic devices for establishment years
- Make comparative tables for quick revision
- Practice with previous year question papers