United Nations (http://www.un.org/)

The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter, are to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends.

• Resolutions of the General Assembly (http://www.un.org/documents/resga.htm)
• Resolutions of the Security Council (http://www.un.org/documents/scres.htm)

Regional Economic Commissions

• Economic Commission for Africa (http://www.uneca.org/)
• Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (http://www.unescap.org/)
• Economic Commission for Europe (http://www.unece.org/)
• Economic Commission for Latin America (http://www.eclac.org/)
• Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (http://www.escwa.org.lb/)

United Nations System

The United Nations family of organizations is made up of the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations programmes and funds — such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) — and the specialized agencies. The programmes, funds and agencies have their own governing bodies and budgets, and set their own standards and guidelines. Together, they provide technical assistance and other forms of practical help in virtually all areas of economic and social endeavour.

Food and Agriculture Organization (http://www.fao.org/)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all.

International Atomic Energy Agency (http://www.iaea.org)

The International Atomic Energy Agency serves as the world's intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field, and as the international inspectorate for the application of nuclear safeguards and verification measures covering civilian nuclear programmes.

International Monetary Fund (http://www.imf.org)

The IMF is an international organization of 184 member countries. It was established to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment.

UNESCO (http://www.unesco.org/)

UNESCO promotes collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Full Online Text of UNESCO Documents (http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=19695&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)

The World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/)

The World Bank consisted of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association. Collectively, the following insitutitions were known as the World Bank Group: IBRD, IDA, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Gurantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

World Health Organzation (http://www.who.int/)

The World Health Organization, the United Nations specialized agency for health, was established on 7 April 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

World Trade Organization (http://www.wto.org/)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.

Full Online Text of the WTO Trade Policy Reviews (http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm).

World Intellectual Property Organization (http://www.wipo.int/)

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of works of the human spirit. These works — intellectual property — are expanding the bounds of science and technology and enriching the world of the arts. Through its work, WIPO plays an important role in enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life, as well as creating real wealth for nations.

Regional Organizations

Asian Development Bank (http://www.adb.org/)

ADB is a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. The University Library is an ADB depository library.

European Union (http://europa.eu/)

The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level.

Organization of American States (http://www.oas.org/)

Made up of 35 member states, the OAS is the region's premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action. With four official languages — English, Spanish, French and Portuguese — the Organization reflects the rich diversity of peoples and cultures across the Americas.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OECD (http://www.oecd.org)

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation of thirty countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and free-market economy. The mandate of the OECD is broad, covering economic, environmental, and social issues.

Comprehensive Sites

• International Organizations via Northwestern University (http://www.library.northwestern.edu/govpub/resource/internat/igo.html)
• International Organizations via Yahoo (http://dir.yahoo.com/Government/International_Organizations/)
• International Documents Task Force (http://www.ala.org/ala/godort/taskforces/internationaldocuments/topical.htm)
• Law Library of Congress: Guide to Law Online - International (http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/multi.html)