United Nations System: Key Bodies, Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies
The United Nations (UN) functions through a broad institutional system known as the UN System. This network includes the UN itself along with several funds, programmes, specialised agencies, related bodies, and autonomous institutions, each with its own mandate, leadership and budget.
The funds and programmes are financed mainly through voluntary contributions, while specialized agencies receive both assessed and voluntary funding. The UN coordinates work among these institutions to support peace, development, humanitarian action and global governance.
The United Nations System is a network of global organisations working together to promote peace, development, human rights, health, environment and humanitarian assistance. It consists of the UN itself along with specialised agencies, funds, programmes and related bodies — each having a distinct mandate, headquarters and governance structure but coordinated through the UN to achieve common international goals.
| Category | Full Name of Organisation | Headquarters | Core Function / Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN Funds and Programmes | United Nations Development Programme | New York, USA | Works in almost 170 countries on poverty reduction, inequality and Sustainable Development Goals. |
| United Nations Environment Programme | Nairobi, Kenya | UN authority for environmental protection and sustainable resource use. | |
| United Nations Population Fund | New York, USA | Focuses on reproductive health, safe childbirth and youth development. | |
| United Nations Human Settlements Programme | Nairobi, Kenya | Supports sustainable urban development and decent shelter for all. | |
| United Nations Children’s Fund | New York, USA | Promotes child rights, education, nutrition and development worldwide. | |
| World Food Programme | Rome, Italy | Global humanitarian agency working to end hunger and malnutrition. | |
| UN Specialized Agencies | Food and Agriculture Organization | Rome, Italy | Leads global effort to fight hunger and promote food security. |
| International Civil Aviation Organization | Montreal, Canada | Develops aviation safety rules and assists member states. | |
| International Fund for Agricultural Development | Rome, Italy | Works on rural poverty reduction and agricultural development. | |
| International Labour Organization | Geneva, Switzerland | Sets labour standards and promotes decent work and worker rights. | |
| International Monetary Fund | Washington, DC, USA | Provides financial stability support, loans and economic surveillance. | |
| International Maritime Organization | London, United Kingdom | Regulates international shipping safety, security and environmental standards. | |
| International Telecommunication Union | Geneva, Switzerland | UN agency for communication technologies and global telecom cooperation. | |
| United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization | Paris, France | Works on education, culture, heritage protection and science development. | |
| United Nations Industrial Development Organization | Vienna, Austria | Promotes industry, inclusive growth and sustainable development. | |
| World Tourism Organization | Madrid, Spain | UN agency for global tourism policy and sustainable tourism promotion. | |
| Universal Postal Union | Bern, Switzerland | Manages international postal cooperation and delivery standards. | |
| World Health Organization | Geneva, Switzerland | Global authority for public health, health norms and disease control. | |
| World Intellectual Property Organization | Geneva, Switzerland | Oversees international cooperation on intellectual property rights. | |
| World Meteorological Organization | Geneva, Switzerland | Coordinates global weather, climate, and atmospheric data exchange. | |
| World Bank Group | Washington, DC, USA | Provides development finance, loans and grants for poverty reduction. | |
| Other UN Entities | Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS | Geneva, Switzerland | Leads global efforts to end AIDS by 2030. |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees | Geneva, Switzerland | Protects refugees and supports resettlement and humanitarian relief. | |
| United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research | Geneva, Switzerland | Researches disarmament, arms control and global peace studies. | |
| United Nations Institute for Training and Research | Geneva, Switzerland | Training institute developing governance and diplomatic skills. | |
| United Nations Office for Project Services | Copenhagen, Denmark | Implements development projects and infrastructure services. | |
| United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East | Amman, Jordan | Provides education, healthcare and relief to Palestine refugees. | |
| United Nations System Staff College | Turin, Italy | Delivers leadership and management training for UN staff. | |
| United Nations University | Tokyo, Japan | Global research think tank supporting UN policy development. | |
| United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) | New York, USA | Works on gender equality and women empowerment. | |
| Related International Organisations | Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization | Vienna, Austria | Promotes nuclear test-ban treaty implementation and verification. |
| International Atomic Energy Agency | Vienna, Austria | Promotes safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology. | |
| International Criminal Court | The Hague, Netherlands | Tries individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. | |
| International Organization for Migration | Geneva, Switzerland | Supports cooperation on migration and humanitarian assistance to migrants. | |
| Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons | The Hague, Netherlands | Implements Chemical Weapons Convention and ensures disarmament compliance. | |
| United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat | Bonn, Germany | Coordinates global climate treaties and negotiations including Paris Agreement. | |
| World Trade Organization | Geneva, Switzerland | Forum for negotiating trade rules and resolving trade disputes. | |
| International Trade Centre | Geneva, Switzerland | Joint UN-WTO agency supporting internationalisation of small and medium enterprises. |
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