Biographies 

The structure of international economic organizations of the UN system. United Nations \ (UN \). The UN system has a complex organizational structure


Among the international organizations that are not part of the UN system, several large groups of organizations can be distinguished depending on the main areas of their activities. First, these are organizations aimed at removing barriers to the development of trade: the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Chamber of Commerce, etc., and economic organizations: the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Paris Club. Secondly, these are organizations aimed at maintaining peace and controlling various types of weapons (for example, the Partnership for Peace, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Organization for Peace and Security in Europe, etc.). Thirdly, these are organizations of humanitarian cooperation, such as, for example, the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Fourthly, these are organizations aimed at ensuring the development of certain sectors of the world economy (organization of civil aviation). Fifthly, organizations that unite parliamentary and trade union movements (the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Confederation of Trade Unions). Sixth, international organizations aimed at assisting the fight against crime and the development of the judicial system (Interpol, a permanent arbitration court). Seventh, organizations aimed at developing cooperation in the field of sports are the International Olympic Committee (IOC). And finally, eighthly, a number of regional international organizations whose member countries pursue common interests in a particular region (Council of Europe, the Association of Southeast Asian countries, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Council of the Baltic States, etc.) .
In addition, we should not forget about international non-governmental organizations, the number of which significantly exceeds the number of international governmental organizations.
The WTO dates back to April 1994, and actually began working in January 1995. The predecessor of the WTO was the so-called General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, created in 1947 to remove barriers to international trade (GATT), a series of agreements between major capitalist and developing countries. The purpose of the WTO is to provide an opportunity to resolve conflicts related to foreign trade that arise between member countries. It is the WTO that negotiates the reduction and elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers. The WTO has 151 member countries and 31 observer countries. The latter category also includes Russia, which is actively negotiating accession to the WTO.
The International Chamber of Commerce was established in 1919. The main purpose of this organization was to provide conditions for free trade and the development of private enterprise and for the expression of business interests at the national and international levels. Members of this organization are national chambers of commerce from 91 countries, including the Russian Federation.
The International Customs Organization (originally called the International Customs Union) was established in 1950 to create conditions for cooperation between the customs authorities of the participating countries. Today it has 172 participating countries, including the Russian Federation.
Partnership for Peace - this international organization was formed in 1994 with the aim of expanding and intensifying political and military cooperation between European countries that are not members of the North Atlantic bloc. The organization includes 23 countries. A country automatically withdraws from the membership of this organization if it joins the North Atlantic bloc.
Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - an organization founded in 1928 to provide humanitarian assistance to countries in need through the International Committee of the Red Cross (during military operations) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (in peacetime). The international organization brings together national societies established in 185 countries of the world and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The International Confederation of Trade Unions was established in November 2006. The predecessors of this international organization were the Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Workers. The World Confederation of Workers was founded in 1920 as an international federation of Christian trade unions and was renamed in 1968. The purpose of the international organization is to promote the trade union movement in the world. The members of this organization include 305 organizations from 152 countries of the world and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union was organized in 1989 with the aim of facilitating contacts between parliamentarians, providing an opportunity to discuss important international problems and measures that could be taken by national parliaments to solve them. The Union is called upon to protect human rights and disseminate information and knowledge about parliamentary institutions. Members of this organization are 146 countries of the world, including the Russian Federation, as well as 7 associate members, such as the Central American Parliament, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, etc.
Interpol - the international criminal police, was organized in September 1923 as an international commission on criminal police, and in 1956, after the adoption of a new charter, it was renamed and received its modern name. It has 186 participating countries. The main goal of Interpol is to promote international cooperation between police officers from different countries in their fight against crime.
The International Olympic Committee was founded in June 1894. The main goal of the International Olympic Committee is to promote the Olympic movement in the world and hold the Olympic Games. The next Winter Olympic Games will take place in 2010 in Vancouver (Canada), followed by the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London (UK) and finally the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi (Russia). Today, the International Olympic Committee includes 204 National Olympic Committees from around the world.
The Council of Europe, which includes Russia, was formed on May 5, 1949 and began work in August of the same year. Its main objectives are to protect human rights, support the development of democracy and ensure the rule of law, promote the ideas of the cultural development of Europe and maintain its cultural diversity, search for common solutions to the problems that European countries face - ensuring the rights of minorities, preventing discrimination based on nationality, fight against xenophobia, develop tolerance, fight against terrorism, human trafficking, organized crime and corruption, prevent violence against children, ensure and strengthen stability by supporting political, legislative and other reforms. 47 countries are members of this council, and 5 countries have observer status.
The number of international public sector non-governmental organizations greatly exceeds the number of intergovernmental organizations, and the range of issues addressed by these non-governmental international organizations is extremely wide. However, for the most part, non-governmental international organizations are involved in promoting the solution of social problems and issues of social development. Let's consider only some of them.
The International Council for Social Security was founded in Paris in 1928. This non-governmental organization brings together national and local organizations from more than 70 countries. A number of major international organizations are also members of the Council. The Council carries out work to combat poverty, help the disabled, the unemployed, representatives of indigenous peoples and national minorities, the elderly, migrants, refugees and other socially vulnerable groups. The Council has the status of a UN consultant. Social policy proposals developed by this international organization are submitted to the UN and UN system organizations such as UNESCO, the UN Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Social Development. The Council conducts discussion and formation of social policy in the participating countries. As an advisory organization, the Council participates in discussions on issues of social development, social protection and social justice. Russia is not represented in this organization.
Helpage International - this international non-governmental organization was organized in 1983. More than 70 non-governmental organizations from 50 countries of the world are its members. The main objective of the organization is to work with the elderly population, support the development of national and regional organizations working in this direction, promote partnerships between non-governmental organizations and government structures on older people's issues. The purpose of the organization is to help the elderly and provide them with conditions for a full, healthy and respected life. In countries experiencing conflicts and other emergencies, Helppage implements special programs to help the most vulnerable groups of the elderly population.
The International Social Security Association was founded in 1927 as a platform for communication between social security institutions from around the world. Today it includes 365 organizations representing 154 countries of the world. Affiliated members from the Russian Federation include the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation, and the associate members include the non-state pension fund Gazfond. The Association is a world center for summarizing and disseminating the experience of social security, it conducts scientific and educational activities, organizes forums and conferences to discuss the most important issues of social security. The Association has developed an international database on social security, which includes a description of social security systems, a description of private pension systems, reforms carried out in the field of social security, social legislation of different countries, articles and scientific studies on social security issues and a dictionary of international social security terms. .

The United Nations system includes the UN with its principal and subsidiary bodies, 18 specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a number of programs, boards and commissions. It can be represented as follows:

1. General Assembly / Economic and Social Council (GA/ECOSOC):

1.1. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva (Switzerland).

1.2. United Nations Development Program (UNDP), New York (USA).

1.3. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Nairobi (Kenya).

1.4. World Food Council (WFC), Rome (Italy).

2. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC);

2.1. World Food Program (WFP), Rome (Italy). 2.2. International Trade Center (ITC), UNCTAD/WTO, Geneva (Switzerland).

2.3. Specialized institutions:

2.3.1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome (Italy).

2.3.2. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, or World Bank), Washington (USA).

2.3.3. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal (Canada),

2.3.4. International Development Association (IDA), Washington (USA).

2.3.5. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome (Italy).

2.3.6. International Finance Corporation (IFC), Washington (USA).

2.3.7. International Labor Organization (ILO), Geneva (Switzerland).

2.3.8. International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington (USA).

2.3.9. International Maritime Organization (IMO), London (UK).

2.3.10. International Telecommunication Union (IEC), Geneva (Switzerland).

2.3.11. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), Washington (USA).

2.3.12. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva (Switzerland).

2.3.13. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna (Austria).

2.3.14. World Trade Organization / General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (WTO/GATT), Geneva (Switzerland).

3. Autonomous organizations:

3.1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna (Austria).

3.2. World Tourism Organization (WTO), Madrid (Spain).

The main economic body - ECOSOC consists of 54 members (1/3 of them are annually re-elected for a three-year term) and usually holds its sessions twice a year. It is the main body for coordinating the economic and social activities of the UN and relevant specialized agencies and institutions (through research, reports and recommendations). The following regional economic commissions operate under the leadership of ECOSOC: Economic Commission for Europe (ECE, seat - Geneva, Switzerland, 55 member states); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, 49 member states); United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA, Aleman, Jordan, 13 member states); United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 53 member states); United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, Santiago, Chile, 41 member states). The main task of these commissions is to promote the implementation of coordinated measures for economic cooperation within the framework of the respective region. The commissions conduct research, disseminate information and statistical materials. The commissions have corresponding committees. The permanent executive body of each commission is its secretariat, as well as multilateral monetary and financial and trade organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, which are formally part of the UN system, but in fact; independent of it and are often referred to as Bretton Woods organizations. An example of an interstate organization of an interregional nature can be the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The central place among international organizations is occupied by the United Nations (UN).

The United Nations system consists of principal and subsidiary bodies, specialized organizations and agencies and autonomous organizations that are an integral part of the UN system. The principal organs are: the General Assembly (GA); Security Council (SC); International Court of Justice and Secretariat. Subsidiary bodies, as deemed necessary, shall be established in accordance with the Constitution.

The UN system includes a number of programs, councils and commissions that carry out the functions assigned to them.

Let us consider the internal structure of the international economic organizations of the UN system.

The General Assembly is its main body. It is authorized to resolve any issues within the framework of the Charter of the organization. The General Assembly makes resolutions which, although not binding on its members, still have a significant impact on world politics and the development of international law. During its existence, 10,000 resolutions have been adopted. The General Assembly finally approves all international conventions on economic issues. In its structure, economic problems are dealt with by:

  1. the Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs, which develops resolutions for the plenary meetings of the General Assembly;
  2. UN Commission on International Trade Law - UNSIT-RAL, which deals with the harmonization and unification of legal norms in international trade;
  3. the International Law Commission, working on the development and codification of international law;
  4. Investment Committee, which assists in the placement of investments from funds under the control of the UN.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the most important UN body responsible for the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian aspects of UN policy.

The functions of ECOSOC include:

  • conducting research and writing reports on international issues in the field of economic and social spheres, culture, education, health care and presenting recommendations on these issues to the General Assembly, members of the Organization and interested specialized agencies;
  • discussion of international economic and social problems of a global and cross-sectoral nature and the development of policy recommendations on these problems for Member States and the UN system as a whole;
  • monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the overall policy strategy and priorities set by the General Assembly in the economic, social and related fields;
  • ensuring harmonization and consistent practical operational implementation on an integrated basis of relevant policy decisions and recommendations adopted at UN conferences and other forums within the UN system, after their approval by the Assembly and / or ECOSOC;
  • ensuring the overall coordination of the activities of the organizations of the UN system in the economic, social and related fields in order to implement the priorities established by the General Assembly for the system as a whole;
  • conducting comprehensive policy reviews of operational activities throughout the UN system.

ECOSOC has commissions, committees, special groups that deal with economic issues. This:

  • six functional commissions and subcommissions - social development, drug control, science and technology for development, sustainable development, statistics, transnational corporations;
  • five regional commissions - Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Asia;
  • two standing committees - for programs and coordination, for direct organizations;
  • seven expert bodies - the Planning Development Committee, the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on International Cooperation in Taxation, the Committees on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, on National Resources, on New and Renewable Energy Sources and the Use of Energy and Purposes development, as well as meetings of experts in public administration and finance.

The objectives of the regional commissions are to study the economic and technological problems of the respective regions of the world, to develop measures and means to assist the economic and social development of regional members by coordinating their actions and pursuing a coordinated policy aimed at solving the cardinal tasks of developing economic sectors and intraregional trade.

In addition to the direct bodies of the UN, its system includes specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations, including:

  1. UN funds and programs;
  2. UN specialized agencies;
  3. autonomous organizations associated with the UN. Let us dwell on the most important organizations of the first group.

1. The Investment Development Fund assists developing countries by supplementing existing funding sources with aid and loans. The resources of the fund are formed from voluntary contributions and are estimated at $40 million.
2. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the largest United Nations system funder of multi-sectoral economic and technical assistance. Its resources are estimated at $1 billion and are constantly replenished by donor countries, which include most developed and large developing countries. UNDP deals with key aspects of sustainable development and major global issues: eradication of poverty, restoration of the environment, employment, etc. It organizes global forums on these issues, such as the Forum on Environment (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995) . The program currently covers more than 150 countries with over 6,500 projects.
3. The PLO Environment Program (UNEP) constantly monitors the environment and is responsible for coordinating all international projects in this area. Its activities are aimed at solving global environmental problems.
4. The World Food Program (WFP) coordinates the provision of international food assistance in cases of emergency. The WFP budget is over $1.2 billion and is formed mainly from contributions from the US ($500 million), the EU ($235 million) and other developed countries.

The specialized organizations associated with the UN include the following.

  1. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) brings together 18 intergovernmental organizations to protect intellectual property.
  2. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) brings together 168 countries to promote the introduction of new industrial technologies, the industrialization of developing countries, especially African countries, and the provision of technical assistance. UNIDO has established an industrial and technological information bank and a system for the exchange of scientific and technical information. A significant part of the information arrays has access to the Internet at www.unido.org. All organizations of the UN system are sources of free information on the Internet. Their addresses almost always coincide with the abbreviation.
  3. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promotes investment in agriculture, the transfer of the latest technologies to developing countries, and agrarian reforms. On the website www.fao.org. there is information about the agro-industrial complex of all countries.
  4. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) lends to agriculture in developing countries.
  5. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is the oldest organization in the UN system, established in 1865. It is engaged in the development and modernization of postal services.
  6. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) coordinates international efforts to develop meteorological observations.
  7. The World Health Organization (WHO) brings together the efforts of 190 countries to solve the problems of protecting human health.
  8. International Labor Organization (ILO) - established in 1919 according to the Treaty of Versailles, it includes 171 countries. The ILO has developed an International Labor Code. She deals with the problems of employment and the growth of living standards of the population, social and economic reforms in the sphere of labor.
  9. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is one of the most authoritative international organizations. Engaged in the development of international cooperation in the fields of information, knowledge, culture, communications, etc.

Among the autonomous organizations associated with the UN, we note the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose functions include:

  • encouraging and facilitating the development of nuclear energy and the practical application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, as well as research in this field;
  • provision of materials, services, equipment and technical means in order to meet the needs of research work in the field of atomic energy and its practical use for peaceful purposes;
  • promoting the exchange of scientific and technical information;
  • encouraging the exchange of scientists and specialists and their training.

Other organizations of the UN system were discussed to varying degrees in other sections of the textbook, in particular, those devoted to the regulation of trade and financial international relations.


UN- this is the largest, universal and most authoritative international organization, designed to deal with the main political problems of mankind. The political activity of the UN is inextricably linked with economic and social tasks directly related to world politics. Target The United Nations is to promote the economic and social progress of all peoples. The organization has 193 members.

The UN system is a branched organism. The most universal body is the General Assembly, in which all UN member countries take part. The work of the UN General Assembly is carried out by committees. The General Assembly has main committees, standing committees and other subsidiary bodies.

ECOSOC is one of the 6 main organs of the UN. His responsibilities include organizing research and preparing various kinds of reports and recommendations on a wide range of international economic, social, cultural and other "related" issues. The Council prepares draft conventions for submission to the UNGA, may convene international conferences on these issues. ECOSOC creates various subsidiary bodies, on the basis of which a rather complex system of ECOSOC bodies has developed and operates. Its members are 54 countries, elected for a three-year term and annually renewing their membership by one third. About 70% of all UN budget funds are allocated for the implementation of the activities of this body.

The main questions of ECOSOC:

· the state of the world economic and social situation and the preparation of fundamental reviews and other analytical publications;

the state of international trade;

· environmental problems;

· economic and scientific-technical assistance to developing countries;

· development of UN international development strategies, monitoring their implementation, etc.

Within the framework of ECOSOC, various intergovernmental permanent and functional commissions and committees operate in the UN system: the Statistical Commission, the Commission on Population, the Commission on Human Rights, etc.

In addition to them, ECOSOC has created many expert and advisory bodies that act on an individual basis.

There are five regional commissions in the system of ECOSOC bodies:

1. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

2. Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)

3. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

4. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

5. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

Russia participates in the work of the EEC and ESCAP and is a member of them.



UNCTAD - the UN Conference on Trade and Development, created in the UN as an independent and universal body (as opposed to GATT), called on behalf of the world community to regulate the complex problems of international trade. The main body of UNCTAD is the conference, which is convened in session twice a year. Sessions of UNCTAD committees are convened more often - on commodities, on finished products and semi-finished products, on shipping, technology transfer, economic cooperation between developing countries.

UNIDO- United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Field Representatives Advisory Committee (FARC) to develop and formulate guidelines for the selection, classification, recruitment, appointment, placement, reporting, management and evaluation of Senior Regional Industrial Development Advisers (SIDFA). During the year, UNIDO is working on more than 100 interregional and global projects for Latin America and Asia in all sectors of the economy and training.

A significant place in the system of international organizations of the UN is occupied by special programs:

· UNDP - The United Nations Development Program was created to help countries in need. The main criteria are population and GDP per capita. Assistance is provided for five-year indicative assignments for specific projects, mainly in the following forms: the dispatch of specialists, the supply of equipment and the training of national personnel. The share of UNDP funding ranges from 50 to 100%, depending on the level of development of the country.

· UNICEF - The United Nations Children's Fund was established to help children in developing countries. The fund is funded by voluntary contributions and donations.

· UNEP – environmental program, established to establish close international cooperation on environmental issues.

· UNU - The UN University was established in accordance with the decision of the UN General Assembly with the aim of implementing research and training programs of centers where specialists are trained and retrained.

· UNITAR - the UN training and research institute, established as an autonomous institution for the training of administrative and diplomatic personnel for developing countries.

IAEA– International Atomic Energy Agency.

Advice security includes in its structure the PKO (UN peacekeeping operations), as well as the military staff committee.

2.2. UN Specialized Agencies:

· UNESCO - the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture, established to develop international cooperation in these areas. Within the framework of UNESCO, there are many scientific cooperation programs.

· ILO – international labor organization, created on the basis of tripartite representation: government, workers, entrepreneurs. The main activity of the ILO is the development of international conventions and recommendations on labor issues and trade union rights.

· ITU – The International Telecommunication Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to organize effective international cooperation in the field of all types of telecommunications.

· UPU – The universal postal union was created to ensure the organization of postal relations and guarantee the freedom of postal transit.

· WHO – world health organization. The programs of WHO and its bodies include all the most important areas of public health, including the training of medical personnel, the coordination of medical and biological research, the exchange of medical knowledge, etc.

· FAO – food and agriculture organization, is engaged in extensive activities, collecting, summarizing and analyzing information on nutrition, environmental management, agricultural production, forestry and fisheries.

A number of specialized agencies operate in the UN system, which include most of the countries of the world: the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Tourism Organization (IMO). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is not formally a specialized agency of the UN, although it acts practically like a UN agency, being part of its system.

Before talking about the international economic organizations of the UN, it is necessary to clarify what the United Nations itself is.

The UN is an international organization of states created to maintain and strengthen peace, security, develop friendly relations and ensure cooperation between states. The UN Charter was preliminary developed at the Dumbarton Oaks conference in 1944 by representatives of the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and China, and then at the founding conference in San Francisco it was signed on June 24, 1945 by the 51st country. The Charter entered into force on October 24, 1945. At the end of 1999, 188 states of the world were members of the UN.

The main organs of the United Nations are the following:

General Assembly (GA);

Security Council (SC);

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC);

Trusteeship Council (CO);

International Court;

Secretariat, Secretary General, High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The UN headquarters is located in New York. The official languages ​​of the UN are English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French, while Arabic is also official in the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council.

UN information centers operate in 65 states of Europe, America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. The necessary information can be obtained directly in New York.

The main body of the UN is the General Assembly, which consists of representatives of member states, each of which has one vote. The GA is authorized to discuss and make recommendations within the framework of the Charter on issues of international security and peace, international cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural spheres, human rights and fundamental freedoms. In addition, the GA determines the policy of the UN, its program, approves the budget, and holds conferences on important issues.

The Security Council consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members (Great Britain, China, Russia, USA and France) and 10 members elected by the GA for two years. The Security Council is the only body of the UN that can make decisions that are binding on all members of the UN. In the event of an aggravation of crises or armed conflicts, the Security Council uses a number of measures to resolve them by peaceful means - it makes recommendations, appoints a special commissioner, determines the principles of a peaceful settlement, and so on. When the opposing sides are not ready to participate in the peace process of negotiations, the Security Council can take coercive measures that are not related to the use of military force - economic sanctions, embargoes, blockades, etc. If non-military sanctions are insufficient, then the Security Council decides on the introduction of military sanctions, and then the members of the UN provide their armed forces to carry out military sanctions under common command. ORN observer groups and UN peacekeeping forces, the so-called "blue helmets", are sent to the conflict area.

The Economic and Social Council, the main body for coordinating the economic and social activities of the UN, also has functions and powers in the field of human rights. ECOSOC consists of 54 members who are elected for three years on the basis of geographical representation, with 18 annual re-elections. To carry out its tasks, it has several subsidiary committees and working groups. ECOSOC meets twice a year in New York and Geneva.

The Trusteeship Council was created to promote the progress of the population of the Trust Territories and its progressive development towards self-government and independence. Initially, there were 11 Trust Territories. But the process of decolonization since the 1960s has gradually reduced their numbers, and the last of them - Palau (Pacific Islands) - gained independence in 1994 from the hands of the United States. Therefore, the Secretary General in 1994 recommended the dissolution of this body, which had suspended its activities.

The International Sui was established in 1945 and, according to the UN Charter, is the main legal body of the United Nations. The court is located in The Hague, consists of 15 members elected for a nine-year term with the right to be re-elected; every three years, a third of the members of the court are re-elected. The International Court of Justice is open to all states and individuals. This UN body makes decisions and prepares advisory opinions upon request. The legal basis of its activities is the UN Charter and international law.

The Secretariat employs more than 25 thousand people, works under the leadership of the Secretary General and is responsible for external current work. It conducts research, prepares negotiations and conferences, and informs public opinion. The secretariat has offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi.

The Secretary General - the chief administrative officer of the UN - is appointed to this position by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Secretary General has the authority to draw the attention of the Security Council to any circumstance which, in his opinion, threatens the maintenance of international peace and security. The Secretary-General attends meetings of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council and submits annual reports to the GA.

In 1993, the United Nations created the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights. This Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary General with the approval of the GA and is responsible for the UN's work in the field of human rights.

The purpose of the UN activities in the economic field is multilateral cooperation in resolving international economic problems.

Such problems include:

Global economic problems of our time, covering the areas of macroeconomics, population, statistics, public administration and finance;

Assistance in the economic development of the least developed countries and countries with economies in transition;

Environmental Activities and Environmental Protection;

Providing humanitarian assistance in emergency situations;

Forecasting, analytical and information work on the state and prospects for the development of the global economy, regional and country situations;

Provision of expert and consulting services, assistance in the development of norms and standards;

Implementation of specific programs and projects.

The UN carries out its activities in the system of regulation of economic cooperation through many of its specialized structures: UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNDP, FAO, IAEA, etc. Let us consider some of them in more detail.

UNCTAD - the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - was established in 1964 as a permanent body of the GA. One of the most representative and universal international organizations, in whose activities 188 UN member states and other international organizations take part. The highest body is the session and the Council for Trade and Development. Sessions are held at least once every four years. Current activities are carried out by the Secretariat and working committees. The headquarters is located in Geneva.

The tasks of UNCTAD include promoting international trade, especially in developing countries, in order to accelerate their economic development, ensuring stable peace and equal all-round cooperation between states, developing recommendations and principles for the functioning of modern international economic relations. UNCTAD's mandate also includes policy analysis, intergovernmental discussions and consensus-building, as well as monitoring, implementation and follow-up.

The specific activities of UNCTAD relate to the issues of world trade in raw materials, finished products and semi-finished products, chartering of maritime transport, problems of transfer of new technologies, monetary and credit relations and other topics. Recently, the Conference has begun to pay great attention to the violations in world trade associated with the new protectionism, which is based on the monopoly ownership of new technologies and on high requirements for foreign products in terms of their manufacturability and environmental friendliness.

At its eighth session (1992), UNCTAD adopted the Cartagena Commitments, which outlined a new approach to both old and new development issues. In accordance with the Cartagena Accords, the driving force behind the activities of the Conference is the recognition of the mutual interests of countries of different geographical regions and levels of development. At the same time, much attention is paid to both effective national policy and international cooperation aimed at improving the external economic conditions of activity. Among the policy recommendations of the Conference, original concepts of development dialogue stand out, especially in the areas of good governance at the national and international levels, the role of the market, poverty alleviation, human resource development, the importance of democracy and other issues.

UNIDO - the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - was established by the GA in 1966. The supreme body is the General Conference, convened once every two years. The governing bodies are the Industrial Development Board and the Program and Budget Committee. The UNIDO Secretariat is headed by a Director General, who is elected by the General Conference. The organization is headquartered in Vienna.

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It has been mandated by the UN to promote industrial development and cooperation and act as the UN's central body for the coordination of industrial activities within its system. Its main tasks are to assist governments, as well as the public and private sectors of the economy in the preparation of industrial development programs, encourage cooperation between industrialized and developing countries, and provide advice on technical and other issues. But the main thing is that UNIDO mobilizes financial resources for developing countries around the world. Branches of its Investment Promotion Service are located in Athens, Milan, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, Warsaw, Washington, Zurich. Centers for international industrial cooperation have been established in Beijing and Moscow. At the same time, industrial assistance to developing states is provided only at their request. When providing assistance, the imposition of certain plans or any programs from the outside is excluded. In this process, there is no room for infringement of the dignity of the countries of recipients of foreign investment.

UNIDO's investment activities translate into concrete projects that have benefited some 180 countries and regions over the past three decades. Only in 1993-1994. UNIDO provided technical assistance totaling about $215 million and assistance in the implementation of investment projects worth $1.1 billion.

UNDP - the UN development program was established in 1965 - by combining the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance, which has been in operation since 1950, and the UN Special Fund, which has functioned since 1958. The governing body is the Board of Governors, appointed by ECOSOC for a period of three years and the International Advisory Committee . The headquarters is located in New York.

The purpose of UNDP is to help developing countries to accelerate their economic development and to achieve a higher level of well-being of the population. At the same time, UNDP assistance is provided only to the governments of these countries or through them. Assistance is provided through the dispatch of experts, the supply of equipment, the implementation of pre-investment projects in the field of planning and evaluation of mineral reserves, as well as the provision of scholarships for the training of national personnel.

UNDP projects are funded through voluntary contributions. The main donors from the group of industrialized countries are the USA, Japan, the Netherlands, and from among the developing countries India, China and Saudi Arabia. The financial resources of UNDP vary from year to year as it is difficult to schedule Voluntary Contributions.

By the mid-1990s, UNDP's global network had grown to 132 country offices serving 175 countries and territories.

FAO - the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - was formed at a conference in Quebec on October 16, 1945. FAO members are 169 states and one international grouping - the European Union. FAO headquarters is located in Rome.

The main goals of FAO are to promote improved nutrition and improve the living standards of people, increase the productivity of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, fight hunger, and improve the system of distribution of food and agricultural products. FAO's special programs help prepare for emergencies through food shortages, and if such a situation becomes a reality in some countries, they provide assistance.

FAO acts as the lead UN body dealing with global agricultural development. Its branches operate in Africa (Ghana), in the Asia-Pacific region (Bangkok), Europe (Rome), Latin America and the Caribbean (Santiago), the Middle East (Cairo). In general, FAO country offices operate in more than 100 countries around the world. FAO holds international conferences on topical issues within its field of activity: the World Food Conference (1974), the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (1979), the International Conference on Nutrition in conjunction with the World Health Organization (1992) and the World Conference on Food Security Council (1996).

The IAEA - the International Atomic Energy Agency - was founded in accordance with the decisions of the UN General Assembly in 1956, and its Charter entered into force in 1957. An intergovernmental organization that is part of the United Nations common system The headquarters is located in Vienna. Any state that accepts its Statute and agrees to fulfill the obligations contained therein can become a member of the IAEA.

The main objectives of the IAEA are:

To achieve a wider use of atomic energy by the countries of the world to maintain the well-being of their peoples, while observing the relevant nuclear safety standards;

Ensure that the use of atomic energy cannot be diverted to military purposes.

The IAEA is authorized to perform a number of responsible functions:

Implement an expanded safety program that includes the safety of nuclear installations, radiation protection, human health, radioactive waste management, nuclear fuel, advise and, at the request of governments, provide assistance in the implementation of national atomic energy programs, a. also in cases of radiation accidents;

Act as an intermediary in the exchange of materials and services between its members at their request;

To promote the exchange of scientific and technical information in the field of the peaceful use of atomic energy;

Collect information on world markets and production of uranium in order to control the use of nuclear fuel and perform other control-related functions.

Within the framework of the UN, there are not only international economic organizations of a global scale, but also various specialized regional international institutions. Here are just a few of them.

ER - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Established by decision of ECOSOC in 1947 to coordinate activities to provide assistance to European countries affected by the war. Its members are 40 European states, including Russia, as well as the USA and Canada. The supreme governing body is the plenary session, held once a year. The current work is managed by the Secretariat; located in Geneva. The EEC has about one and a half dozen committees - on agriculture, chemical industry, ferrous metallurgy, coal, electricity, timber, foreign trade, labor, transport, construction and other issues. Recently, the Economic Commission for Europe has focused its attention mainly on environmental issues, as well as on the efficient use of transport and forest resources.

ECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. It was created in 1958 with the aim of assisting the economic and social development of African countries, expanding their cooperation between themselves and other countries. The supreme body is the annual plenary session, which is held in the form of a conference of ministers of economy and finance. The executive body is the Secretariat, consisting of sectoral and general departments. The headquarters of the Commission is located in T. Addis Ababa.

Since 1965, only an African state can be a full member of the ECA, and the former metropolises have moved into the category of members without the right to vote or to the role of observers. However, representatives of any UN member country may take part in the work of the UN Economic Commission as observers or consultants. The specific activity of the ECA is reduced to the development of measures for the economic development of a certain African region, the provision of advisory services at the request of member countries. In particular, the Commission has recently provided advisory technical services in the field of drought control, the creation of projects in the field of irrigation, and training.

ECLAC - the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean - appeared in 1948. The members of this commission are 40 states of Latin America, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and Spain. The supreme body is the plenary session, which meets once every two years. Executive Body The Secretariat, which acts on; basis of the program of plenary sessions of the Commission. The headquarters is located in Santiago. ECLAC has permanent bodies - the Committee for Economic Cooperation of the Countries of Central America, the Committee for Development and Cooperation of the Caribbean, the Committee for Trade and the Committee of Governmental Experts. ECLAC activities are funded by the UN budget and voluntary contributions from member countries.

The main tasks of ECLAC are actually similar to those that are characteristic of the UN commissions discussed above. In particular, among the tasks of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean region is to assist the economic and social development of all member countries of this region, study the problems of economic development of member countries and prepare reviews and develop practical recommendations on the use of natural and other resources on this basis. this region.

At first, ECLAC was a temporary body created in accordance with the ECOSOC resolution, then it was transformed into a permanent UN regional commission.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific was organized to promote the economic and social development of Asian and Pacific countries, their cooperation among themselves and with other countries of the world. To achieve this goal, practical measures were developed for the implementation of specific projects of regional significance, in particular the project for the development of the Mekong River Basin, the creation of regional centers for the development of trade. At the next session of the Commission in Delhi in 1994, a Declaration was adopted on strengthening regional economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, which outlined the development paths for the countries located here, taking into account their specifics. In particular, within the framework of the adopted program, work is underway on regional economic cooperation in the field of technology transfer for investment projects.

Funding for ESCAP activities comes from the UN budget, as well as from extrabudgetary sources, including voluntary contributions from member countries and various sponsors.

ESCWA - Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. It was established in 1974. At present, 14 states are its members. The supreme body is the plenary session, convened twice a year. The executive body is the Secretariat located in Baghdad, within which there are departments of industry, agriculture, etc. Representatives of any country of the UN member or its organizations that have status with the United Nations can take part in the work of the UN Commission for Western Asia as consultants or observers. The main goal of ESCWA is the implementation of coordinated actions to create favorable conditions for economic cooperation, strengthening economic ties. Research of a technical nature. In 1994, in Amman, the Commission adopted a program for the rational use of resources and environmental management, a program to improve the quality of life, a program for economic development and cooperation, and others. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia is financed from the UN budget and extrabudgetary sources.