🌐 United Nations (UN) – Overview
- Founded: 1945, post–World War II
- Purpose: Maintain peace, uphold human rights, foster development, and promote international law
- Charter: Signed by 50 nations in San Francisco
🏛️ Principal Organs of the UN
| Organ | Function | Symbolic Motif |
| General Assembly | Deliberative body; all member states have equal vote | Ripple of voices across nations |
| Security Council | Maintains peace and security; 5 permanent members with veto | Shield and sword of diplomacy |
| Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) | Coordinates economic, social, and environmental work | Bridge of global cooperation |
| International Court of Justice (ICJ) | Judicial arm; settles disputes between states | Scales of justice across borders |
| Trusteeship Council | Suspended; oversaw territories under UN mandate | Lantern of post-colonial transition |
| UN Secretariat | Administrative body led by Secretary-General | Pulse of global governance |
🧩 Specialized Agencies of the UN
| Agency | Focus Area | Headquarters |
| WHO – World Health Organization | Global health | Geneva |
| UNESCO – Education, Science, Culture | Cultural heritage & literacy | Paris |
| UNICEF – Children’s welfare | Child rights & development | New York |
| ILO – International Labour Organization | Workers’ rights | Geneva |
| FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization | Hunger & food security | Rome |
| UNDP – Development Programme | Poverty reduction & sustainability | New York |
| UNHCR – Refugees | Protection & resettlement | Geneva |
| WMO – Meteorology | Climate & weather | Geneva |
🌍 Key International Organizations (Beyond UN)
| Organization | Purpose | Members |
| World Bank | Loans for development | 189 countries |
| IMF – International Monetary Fund | Monetary cooperation | 190 countries |
| WTO – World Trade Organization | Trade rules & dispute resolution | 164 countries |
| OECD | Economic development & policy | 38 countries |
| ASEAN | Southeast Asian cooperation | 10 countries |
| BRICS | Emerging economies | Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa |
| G20 | Global economic forum | 19 countries + EU |
| BIMSTEC | Bay of Bengal regional cooperation | 7 countries |
| NSG – Nuclear Suppliers Group | Non-proliferation | 48 countries |