ABOUT UNITED NATIONS IN SRI LANKA
The United Nations began its work in Sri Lanka in 1952. Three years later, on 14 December 1955, Sri Lanka was admitted as a member state of the UN.
For more than sixty years, the UN, in partnership with the government and people of Sri Lanka, continues to work to ensure that all Sri Lankan people enjoy better living conditions. Collectively and through its 23 specialised agencies, funds, programmes and offices in Sri Lanka, the UN addresses the needs and creates opportunities for the poor, the most vulnerable and the young.
The UN has cultivated broad and wide ranging partnerships â with the Government, civil society, the broad NGO community, bilateral donors, and international financial institutions â to address a multitude of challenges, both in long term development, and during times of emergency.
1. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) â resident office
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) started its programmes in Sri Lanka in 1948. FAO disseminates critical information about food, agriculture, and natural resources, and converts knowledge into action by improving agriculture practices including provision for improved livestock, forestry, fisheries and efficient environmental practices. Making sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food is at the heart of FAOâs efforts.
2. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO) - resident office
Sri Lanka became a Member State of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1948. The ILO is the United Nations specialized agency that promotes a job-centered and rights-based approach to development through social justice and the Decent Work Agenda. To this end, the ILO advocates for full and productive employment coupled with rights, representation and protection in the world of work as a means to reduce poverty.
3. INTERNATIONAL MONETARY ORGANIZATION (IMF) - resident office
Sri Lanka joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a Member State in 1950. The fundamental mission of the IMF is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system. It does so by: keeping track of the global economy and the economies of member countries; lending to countries with balance of payments difficulties; and giving practical help to members.
4.INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) - resident office
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organisation in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
5.UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENâS FUND (UNICEF) - resident office
The United Nations Childrenâs Fund (UNICEF) is the United Nations agency mandated by the General Assembly to advocate for the protection of childrenâs rights. The agencyâs work in Sri Lanka began in the early 1950s and the first UNICEF country office was established in 1973.
6.UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) - resident office
Since 1967, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as a key development partner in Sri Lanka, has been working to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts.
7.UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) - resident office
In 1987, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was invited by the Government of Sri Lanka to facilitate large scale repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees from India under the Indian-Sri Lankan peace agreement. To date, UNHCR works with the Government in resolving issues and finding durable solutions for refugees; returning Sri Lankan refugees; stateless persons and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
8.UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME (UN HABITAT) - resident office
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements, mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
9.UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA ) - resident office
Since the establishment of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 1969, the agency has been working with the Government of Sri Lanka to enable populations, with a focus on women and young people.
10. UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUG AND CRIME (UNODC) - New Delhi, India
The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.
In Sri Lanka, UNODC has been actively providing field-based technical assistance to enhance the capacity of the Government to counteract illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme established resident presence in Sri Lanka in January 2017.
11. UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES (UNOPS) - resident office
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.
12. UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS (UNV) - resident office
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Active in Sri Lanka since 1974, UNV works to enable stakeholders to be agents of change in their communities through volunteerism.
13. WORLD BANK (WB) - resident office
The World Bank Group (WBG) has been a partner in Sri Lankaâs development for close to six decades. During that period, the country has moved from a low income country to join the ranks of middle-income countries.
The WBG consists of five closely associated institutions
1.The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD),
2.The International Development Association (IDA),
3.The International Finance Corporation (IFC),
4. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and
5.The International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) that are committed to achieving the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.
14. WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) - resident office
The World Food Programme (WFP) operations in Sri Lanka began in 1968, to help vulnerable people to overcome food and nutrition insecurity. Being the worldâs largest organisation in fighting against hunger, WFP responded to the urgent needs of tsunami and victims of the conflict.
15. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) - resident office
Sri Lanka became a Member State of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. The first office was established, however, in 1952 at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. Since then, WHO has partnered with the Sri Lankan Government for the betterment of health and well-being in this island nation.
16. UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) - Bangkok, Thailand
The United Nations Environmental Program Asia and the Pacific Office promotes the environmental dimension of sustainable development through regional cooperation among governmental authorities, local communities, environmental experts, United Nation entities, and the private sector.
17. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE (ITC) - Geneva, Switzerland
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the United Nations development agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).
18. INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) - Vienna, Austria
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the worldâs central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the field of nuclear energy.
19.INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD) - resident office
In 1978, shortly after the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was established, the agency provided its first loan for the Kirindi Oya Irrigation and Settlement Project. About 37 years later, IFAD continues to play a strategic role in supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to reduce rural poverty and invest in rural areas in the country. IFADâs investment in Sri Lanka so far has been approximately $400 million over 16 projects directly benefitting 525,000 households of rural poor.
20.UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)- resident office
The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organizationâs (UNESCO) New Delhi office was established in 1948, designated as a cluster office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In November 1949, the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO was established, and in March 2010, a Country Focal Point Office for the UNESCO Cluster Office-Delhi was set up.
21.UNITED NATIONS ENTITY FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN (UN WOMEN) - resident office
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) works to strengthen womenâs rights and equal participation in all aspects of life by working with women, men, the Government and civil society. The agency helps to create strategies to advance gender equality in line with national and international priorities.
22.UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (UNIDO) - resident office
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) initiated its programme in Sri Lanka in 1969. The agency works for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, promoting poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity building and energy and environment.
23. ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) - resident office
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims for an Asia and Pacific free from poverty. In partnership with member governments, independent specialists and other financial institutions, ADB is focused on delivering projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact.
Since 1966, ADB has worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka, supporting the nation to undertake various projects in infrastructure, education, agriculture and finance sectors which have been in keeping with the development policies of the respective governments. These interventions contributed immensely to the countryâs development of reaching middle income status.