The United Nations (UN) has several branches, including its main organs, specialized agencies, programs, and other affiliated organizations. Below is a detailed list of these branches along with their headquarters:
1. Principal Organs of the United Nations
Branch |
Function |
Headquarters |
---|---|---|
General Assembly (UNGA) |
Main deliberative body where all member states participate. |
New York, USA |
Security Council (UNSC) |
Responsible for maintaining international peace and security. |
New York, USA |
International Court of Justice (ICJ) |
Settles legal disputes between nations. |
The Hague, Netherlands |
Secretariat |
Administrative branch that supports UN operations. |
New York, USA |
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) |
Coordinates economic, social, and environmental policies. |
New York, USA |
Trusteeship Council (Inactive since 1994) |
Assisted in decolonization and self-governance. |
New York, USA |
2. Specialized Agencies of the United Nations
Agency |
Function |
Headquarters |
---|---|---|
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
Leads efforts to end hunger and improve agriculture. |
Rome, Italy |
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) |
Sets global aviation safety and security standards. |
Montreal, Canada |
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) |
Works to reduce rural poverty. |
Rome, Italy |
International Labour Organization (ILO) |
Promotes labor rights and decent working conditions. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
Regulates global shipping and maritime safety. |
London, UK |
International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
Promotes global financial stability and economic growth. |
Washington, D.C., USA |
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
Manages global radio-frequency spectrum and communications. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |
Promotes education, science, and cultural preservation. |
Paris, France |
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |
Supports industrial development for poverty reduction. |
Vienna, Austria |
Universal Postal Union (UPU) |
Coordinates global postal policies. |
Bern, Switzerland |
World Bank Group (WB) |
Provides financial and technical assistance for development. |
Washington, D.C., USA |
World Health Organization (WHO) |
Leads global health initiatives and disease control. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |
Promotes protection of intellectual property worldwide. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) |
Provides weather and climate-related data. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
3. UN Funds and Programs
Program/Fund |
Function |
Headquarters |
---|---|---|
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
Works to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. |
New York, USA |
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) |
Coordinates global environmental activities. |
Nairobi, Kenya |
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
Provides humanitarian aid and development for children. |
New York, USA |
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
Protects and supports refugees and displaced persons. |
Geneva, Switzerland |
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) |
Works on reproductive health and population issues. |
New York, USA |
World Food Programme (WFP) |
Provides food assistance to fight hunger globally. |
Rome, Italy |
4. Other UN-Related Organizations
Organization |
Function |
Headquarters |
---|---|---|
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
Promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy. |
Vienna, Austria |
World Trade Organization (WTO) (Works with the UN) |
Regulates international trade agreements. |
Geneva, Switzerland |