aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters
members - (5) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland
Southern African Development Community (SADC): note - evolved from the
Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)
established - 17 August 1992
aim - to promote regional economic development and integration
members - (14) Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia,
Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) or Southern Common Market: note
- also known as Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (Mercosur)
established - 26 March 1991
aim - to increase regional economic cooperation
members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
associate members - (5) Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
Venezuela
Third World: another term for the less developed countries; the term
is obsolescent; see less developed countries (LDCs)
African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID):
established - 31 July 2007
aim - to contribute to the restoration of security conditions which
will allow safe humanitarian assistance throughout Darfur, to
contribute to the protection of civilian populations under imminent
threat of physical attack, to monitor, observe compliance with, and
verify the implementation of various ceasefire agreements
members - (31) Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, China, Egypt,
Ethiopia, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya,
Libya, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda,
Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, UK, Yemen,
Zambia
underdeveloped countries: refers to those less developed countries
with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less
developed countries (LDCs)
undeveloped countries: refers to those extremely poor less developed
countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least
developed countries (LLDCs)
Union Latina: established - 15 May 1954; became functional 1983
aim - to project, protect, and promote the common heritage and unifying
idenitites of the Latin, and Latin-influenced, world
members - (37) Andorra, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile,
Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Italy,
Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe,
Senegal, Spain, Timor-Leste, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers - (3) Argentina, Holy See, Order of Malta
Union of South American Nations (UNASUR - Spanish; UNASUL -
Portuguese): formerly South American Community of Nations which
terminated on 16 April 2007
established - 23 May 2008
aim - to model a community after the European Union which will include
a common currency, parliament, and passport
members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
United Nations (UN): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24
October 1945
aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote
cooperation involving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian
problems
constituent organizations - the UN is composed of six principal organs
and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows:
1) Secretariat
2) General Assembly: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UN-
AIDS), International Research and Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Organization for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Preparation Committee for the Nuclear-Test-
Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), United Nations Center for Human
Settlements (UN-Habitat), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United
Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP), United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP),United Nations Fund for International
Partnerships (UNFIP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR),
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United
Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI),
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office of
Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), United Nations System Staff
College (UNSSC), United Nations University (UNU), World Food Program
(WFP)
3) Security Council: International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia (ICTY), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR),
United Nations Compensation Commission, United Nations Disengagement
Observer Force (UNDOF), African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation
in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste
(UNMIT), United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
(UNMIK), United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), United
Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Nations Military Observer
Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), United Nations Operation in Cote
d'Ivoire (UNOCI), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western
Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Mission in the Central African
Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), United Nations Mission in the Sudan
(UNMIS), United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), United
Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(MONUC), United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), United
Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and United Nations
Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Commission for Social
Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice,
Commission on Narcotics Drugs, Commission on Population and
Development, Commission on Science and Technology for Development,
Commission on Sustainable Development, Commission on the Status of
Women, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP),
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic
Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE),
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD), International Center for Secretariat of Investment
Disputes (ICSID), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),
International Development Association (IDA), International Finance
Corporation (IFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Maritime
Organization (IMO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), Multilateral Investment Geographic
Agency (MIGA), Statistical Commission, United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Forum on
Forests, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),
Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Health Organization (WHO), World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and World Trade
Organization (WTO)
5) Trusteeship Council (inactive; no trusteeships at this time)
6) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): note - acronym retained from
the predecessor organization, UN International Children's Emergency
Fund
established - 11 December 1946
aim - to help establish child health and welfare services
members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
established - 30 December 1964
aim - to promote international trade
members - (193) all UN members plus Holy See
United Nations Development Program (UNDP): established - 22 November
1965
aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social
development
members (executive board) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all
regions
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF): established - 31
May 1974
aim - to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; established by the
UN Security Council
members - (6) Austria, Canada, Croatia, India, Japan, Poland
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO): established - 16 November 1945; effective - 4 November 1946
aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture
members - (193) includes all UN member countries except Liechtenstein
(191 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue
associate members - (6) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands,
Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Tokelau
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP): established - 15 December
1972
aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters
members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations General Assembly: established - 26 June 1945; effective
- 24 October 1945
aim - to function as the primary deliberative organ of the UN
members - (192) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): established - 3
December 1949; effective - 1 January 1951
aim - to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find
permanent solutions to refugee problems
members (executive committee) - (76) Algeria, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,
Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France,
Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Holy See, Hungary, India, Iran,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon,
Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mexico, Montenegro,
Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria,
Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia,
Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland,
Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Yemen,
Zambia
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO):
established - 17 November 1966; effective - 1 January 1967
aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development
especially among the members
members - (172) includes all UN member countries except Andorra,
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Estonia, Iceland,
Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon
Islands, Tuvalu, US
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR):
established - 11 December 1963 adoption of the resolution establishing
the Institute; effective - 24 March 1965
aim - to help the UN become more effective through training and
research
members (Board of Trustees) - (21) Algeria, Brazil, Burkino Faso,
China, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Estonia, France (2), Ghana, India,
Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland (2),
Thailand, US; note - the UN Secretary General can appoint up to 30
members
United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT): established
- 25 August 2006
aim - to support the Government, to support the electoral process, to
ensure the restoration and maintenance of public security
members - (14) Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, India,
Malaysia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Sierra Leone,
Singapore
United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK):
established - 10 June 1999
aim - to promote the establishment of substantial autonomy and self-
government in Kosovo; to perform basic civilian administrative
functions; to support the reconstruction of key infrastructure and
humanitarian and disaster relief
note - gives civilian support only; works closely with NATO Kosovo
Force (KFOR)
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): established - 19
March 1978
aim - to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assist in
reestablishing Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon; established by
the UN Security Council
members - (28) Belgium, China, Croatia, Cyprus, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland,
Italy, South Korea, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Nepal, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP):
established - 24 January 1949
aim - to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan cease-fire; established by the
UN Security Council
members - (8) Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, South Korea,
Sweden, Uruguay
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO):
established - 29 April 1991
aim - to supervise the cease-fire and conduct a referendum in Western
Sahara; established by the UN Security Council
members - (28) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Croatia,
Djibouti, Egypt, El Slavador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Yemen
United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad
(MINURCAT): established - 25 September 2007
aim - to create the security and conditions which will to contribute to
the protection of refugees, displaced persons, and citizens in danger,
to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad
and the northeastern Central African Republic, to create favorable
conditions for the recontruction and economic and social development of
these areas
members - (22) Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, The
Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE): established 31
July 2000; aim was to monitor the cessation of hostilities; mandate
ended July 2008; members were Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Bolivia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece,
Guatemala, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Namibia,
Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania,
Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Tunisia,
Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Zambia
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL): established - 19 September
2003
aim - to support the cease-fire agreement and peace process, protect UN
facilities and people, support humanitarian activities, and assist in
national security reform
members - (45) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Croatia,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia,
Finland, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea,
Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia,
Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Togo, Ukraine, UK, US, Yemen, Zambia,
Zimbabwe
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL): established on 22
October 1999; aim was to to cooperate with the Government of Sierra
Leone and the other parties to the Peace Agreement in the
implementation of the agreement; to monitor the military and security
situation in Sierra Leone; to monitor the disarmament and
demobilization of combatants and members of the Civil Defense Forces
(CFD); to assist in monitoring respect for international humanitarian
law; mandate ended 31 December 2005; members were Bangladesh, Bolivia,
China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana,
Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, UK,
Uruguay, Zambia
United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS): established - March 2005
aim - to support implementation of the comprehensive Peace Agreement by
Monitoring and verifying the implementation of the Cease Fire
Agreement, by observing and monitoring movements of armed groups, and
by helping disarm, demobilizing and reintegrating armed bands
members - (61) Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia,
Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia,
Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Germany,
Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, South
Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia,
Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherland, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sri
Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay,
UK, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET): established
on 17 May 2002 to provide assistance to structures critical to public
security and to assist in the development of law enforcement agencies;
to contribute to extenal security; members were Australia, Bangladesh,
Bolivia, Brazil, Denmark, Fiji, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal,
NZ, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sweden; completed its
mandate 20 May 2005
United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission
(UNMOVIC): formerly known as United Nations Special Commission for the
Elimination of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM); established
December 1999 with the aim to identify, account for, and eliminate
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the capacity to produce them;
commissioners were from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, UN Department
for Disarmament Affairs, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico,
Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, UK, US; finished operations 29 June
2007
United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG): established - 24
August 1993
aim - to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement, to monitor
weapons exclusion zone, and to supervise CIS peacekeeping force for
Abkhazia; established by the UN Security Council
members - (32) Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia,
Jordan, South Korea, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Yemen
United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB): was established 21 May
2004 to support and help implement the efforts undertaken by Burundians
to restore lasting peace and bring about national reconciliation;
members were Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina
Faso, Chad, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana,
Guatemala, Guinea, India, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan,
Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Nambia, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania,
Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Togo, Tunisia, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia; mandate was completed 31
December 2006
United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (MONUC): established - 30 November 1999
aim - to establish contacts with the signatories to the cease-fire
agreement and to plan for the observation of the cease-fire and
disengagement of forces
members - (48) Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Egypt, France, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan,
Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal,
Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia,
Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland,
Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia
United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI): established - 27
February 2004
aim - to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the
peace agreement signed by them in January 2003
members - (41) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, China,
Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Ghana,
Guatemala, Guinea, India, Ireland, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia,
Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda,
Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP): established - 4
March 1964
aim - to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and
Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus; established by the UN Security Council
members - (7) Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia,
UK
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): note - acronym retained from
predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities
established - July 1967
aim - to assist both developed and developing countries to deal with
their population problems
members (executive board ) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all
regions
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA): established - 8 December 1949
aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees
members (advisory commission) - (22) Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, EC, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon,
Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,
Turkey, UK, US
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD):
established - 1963
aim - to conduct research into the problems of economic development
during different phases of economic growth
members - no country members, but a Board of Directors consisting of a
chairman appointed by the UN secretary general and 12 individual
members
United Nations Secretariat: established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24
October 1945
aim - to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a
Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General
Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council
members - the UN Secretary General and staff
United Nations Security Council (UNSC): established - 26 June 1945;
effective - 24 October 1945
aim - to maintain international peace and security
permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN
General Assembly; Belgium (2007-08), Burkina Faso (2008-09), Costa Rica
(2008-09), Croatia (2008-09), Indonesia (2007-08), Italy (2007-08),
Libya (2008-09), Panama (2007-08), South Africa (2007-08), Vietnam
(2008-09); note - Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and Uganda have been
elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms starting 1 January
2009
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH): established
- 30 April 2004
aim - to stabilize Haiti in many areas for at least six months
members - (17) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia,
Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,
Sri Lanka, US, Uruguay