SPECIALISED AGENCIES

1. FAO

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads global efforts to defeat hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition. It was founded on October 16, 1945, and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. 

• Combat hunger, malnutrition, and food shortages worldwide. Promote food security by making healthy diets accessible to all. 

• Promote sustainable farming practices to preserve natural resources.Encourage innovation and climate-resilient agricultural methods.

• Improve the livelihoods of rural communities, especially smallholder farmers.Empower women and marginalized groups in agriculture.

• Publishes global reports such as the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI). Focuses on sustainable use of land, water, and biodiversity in farming. 

2.ILO

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to advancing social and economic justice by promoting decent work and labor rights for all. Founded in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, the ILO is one of the oldest global organizations and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to foster sustainable economic growth, reduce inequality, and ensure dignity in the workplace. 

• Advocating for the protection of fundamental workplace rights, such as freedom from forced labor, child labor, and discrimination. 

• Ensuring access to social security and safety nets for workers, especially in times of economic or personal hardship. Promoting cooperation among governments, employers, and workers to create balanced and sustainable labor policies. 

• The ILO conducts in-depth research on labor trends, such as unemployment, inequality, and the impact of technology on jobs, and publishes influential reports like the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO). 

3.IMF

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international financial institution established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to promote global economic stability, foster international monetary cooperation, and reduce poverty worldwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, the IMF plays a critical role in stabilizing the global economy by providing financial assistance, policy advice, and technical expertise to its 190 member countries. 

• Monitoring the economic and financial policies of member countries to identify potential risks and provide policy advice for maintaining stability. 

• Offering financial support to countries facing balance-of-payments problems, enabling them to stabilize their economies and restore growth. 

• Providing technical assistance and training to member countries to strengthen their economic institutions and policies. 

Lending Programs:

|)Stand-By Arrangements (SBA): Short-term support for countries facing financial crises.

||)Extended Fund Facility (EFF): Longer-term assistance for structural economic reforms.

|||)Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT): Concessional loans for low-income countries.

     |v)Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI): Quick support for countries in emergencies like natural disasters or pandemics.

4.ITU

• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Established in 1865, it is one of the oldest international organizations and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The ITU plays a pivotal role in fostering global connectivity, setting technical standards, and promoting equitable access to ICT infrastructure. 

• Developing global standards for ICTs, including telecommunications, internet protocols, and cybersecurity. 

• Managing the global allocation of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits to ensure efficient use and prevent interference. 

• Promoting access to ICTs in underserved areas, supporting capacity building, and reducing the global digital divide. 

• Providing a framework for interoperability and compatibility across ICT networks and services worldwide. 

• Managing global spectrum resources to facilitate emerging technologies like 5G and satellite communications. 

Sectors: Divided into three main operational areas:

ITU-T: Focused on standardization.

ITU-R: Manages radiocommunication.

ITU-D: Works on development initiatives.

5.UNESCO

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. Headquartered in Paris, France, UNESCO’s mission is to promote international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication to foster peace, eradicate poverty, and advance sustainable development. Its guiding principle is that peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. 

• Education: Advocating for universal access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4).

• Science: Promoting international cooperation in science to address global challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.

• Culture: Preserving cultural heritage, promoting creative industries, and fostering respect for cultural diversity.

• Communication and Information: Supporting freedom of expression, access to information, and development of media and knowledge-sharing platforms.Education for All (EFA): A global movement to provide basic education to all, particularly children, women, and marginalized communities.

• World Heritage Program: Recognizing and protecting sites of outstanding cultural and natural significance, such as the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Barrier Reef.

• Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB): Promoting sustainable development through the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development: Integrating sustainability into education systems worldwide.

• Memory of the World Program: Preserving significant documentary heritage, such as historical manuscripts and records.

• Promoting international cooperation in science, such as the International Geoscience Program. Protecting over 1,100 World Heritage Sites across the globe. Safeguarding endangered languages and traditions through its Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Leading global efforts to reduce illiteracy and improve girls’ education. 

6.WHO

• The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting global public health and improving well-being for all. Established on April 7, 1948, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO is at the forefront of international efforts to combat diseases, strengthen healthcare systems, and promote health equity worldwide. 

• Developing guidelines and protocols to improve healthcare practices worldwide. 

• Collecting and analyzing global health data to track diseases and measure progress. Offering expertise to strengthen healthcare systems in member states. 

• Leading efforts to manage health emergencies, such as pandemics and natural disasters. Ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential healthcare services. 

• Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ensuring that all individuals can access quality health services without financial hardship. 

• Combating Communicable Diseases: Eradicating diseases such as polio, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

• Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Reducing the global burden of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

• World Health Assembly (WHA): The WHO’s decision-making body, comprising representatives from its 194 member states.

• Executive Board: Comprising 34 health experts, it oversees the implementation of WHA decisions.

• Director-General: The head of the WHO, currently Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017).

• Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): Leading efforts to eliminate polio through vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance.

• COVAX Program: Ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, especially in low-income countries.

• Health Emergencies Programme: Coordinating responses to global health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks.

• Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): Implementing measures to reduce tobacco use and its associated health risks.

• World Mental Health Day Campaigns: Raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting access to care.

• SDG-3: Good Health and Well-Being—ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

• SDG-6: Clean Water and Sanitation—working to prevent waterborne diseases.

• SDG-13: Climate Action—addressing the health impacts of climate change.

• Eradicated smallpox in 1980, one of the greatest public health achievements in history.Reduced maternal and child mortality rates through vaccination and health education programs.Played a central role in combating diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.Provided leadership during global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks.

7.UNDP

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's leading organization dedicated to global development, poverty eradication, and sustainable progress. Established in 1965 and headquartered in New York City, the UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, partnering with governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote inclusive and sustainable development.

• Poverty Eradication: Tackling extreme poverty and addressing inequalities to improve livelihoods and well-being.

• Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding: Strengthening institutions, promoting justice, and supporting peaceful and inclusive societies.

• Crisis Prevention and Recovery: Supporting communities in recovering from conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises. 

• Human Development Report (HDR): Published annually, the HDR provides insights into global development challenges and introduces the Human Development Index (HDI) to measure progress beyond economic growth. 

• The Global Goals Campaign: Raising awareness and fostering action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs): Helping governments align public and private resources with national development priorities.

• Crisis Response Initiative: Assisting nations affected by conflicts, pandemics, and natural disasters to recover and rebuild.

The UNDP is a key driver in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by:

     |)Empowering communities through job creation, education, and healthcare initiatives.

||)Supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality.

|||)Advocating for climate resilience and sustainable practices.

|v)Strengthening governance and combating corruption to promote justice and peace.

8.UNICEF

• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a leading UN agency dedicated to advocating for the rights, protection, and well-being of children worldwide. Established in 1946 to provide emergency relief to children affected by World War II, UNICEF has evolved into a global organization addressing a wide range of issues affecting children, including education, healthcare, nutrition, and protection from violence. Headquartered in New York City, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, working to ensure every child has a fair chance in life. 

• Child Survival and Development: Reducing child mortality by improving access to healthcare, immunization, and clean water.

• Education: Ensuring that all children, especially girls and marginalized groups, have access to quality education.

• Child Protection: Safeguarding children from violence, exploitation, and abuse.

• End Child Mortality: Reduce preventable deaths of children under five through immunization, clean water, and better healthcare access.

• Achieve Universal Education: Promote inclusive and quality education, with a focus on girls and children in conflict zones.

• Protect Children in Emergencies: Deliver lifesaving supplies and psychosocial support during humanitarian crises.

• UNICEF WASH Program: Ensuring access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools and communities.

• Generation Unlimited: A global partnership to empower young people with education, skills, and job opportunities.

• Reducing Child Mortality: Between 1990 and 2020, UNICEF helped cut the global under-five mortality rate by over 50%.

• Expanding Education Access: Millions of children, especially girls, have gained access to schooling through UNICEF initiatives.

• Global Vaccination Campaigns: Delivering billions of vaccines annually, protecting children from diseases like measles and polio.

• Emergency Relief: Providing lifesaving support to children and families affected by disasters and conflicts, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Promoting Child Rights: Advocating globally for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.