International Organisations

Inter governmental organizations (IGOs) deal with a wide range of topics and have offices in many countries across the world, including the United States. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Universal Postal Union, and the United Nations are three of the oldest intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). The Universal Postal Union, which was established in 1874, is a UN organization. In this article, we will look at some of the most important International Organizations like G20, WTO, OPEC, etc. 

European Union

• The European Union (EU) is a group of 27 countries that operates as a cohesive economic and political block. Nineteen of the countries use the euro as their official currency
• The EU grew out of a desire to form a single European political entity to end the centuries of warfare among European countries that culminated with World War II and decimated much of the continent.

World Bank

Following the Second World War, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) founded the World Bank Group (WBG) (IBRD). In an effort to influence the global economy, it is one of a number of groups.

Today, the World Bank serves as an international agency dedicated to eradicating poverty by providing financial support to nations with a moderate or low income. The World Bank’s mission is to end poverty by empowering people to help themselves through lending, consulting, and training in both the public and private sectors.

Interpol

An international law enforcement agency known as Interpol aids worldwide police collaboration and crime control. It is the world’s largest international police organisation, with seven regional bureaus throughout the world and a Bureau in all 195 member states, with its headquarters in Lyon, France.

Food and Agriculture Organisation

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was established as an international organisation by the United Nations in 1945. Its mission is to alleviate world hunger by disseminating knowledge and promoting sustainable agriculture through laws and national policies.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing practises in the member nations are modernised and improved as part of the FAO’s international efforts to combat hunger and strengthen local economies.

G-20

• Established in the year 1999, the G-20 was only a forum for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to meet and discuss issues of macro-economic concern
• Following the global financial crisis in 2008, the group expanded its agenda to discuss other important issues such as climate change and terrorism, among others
• The group of 20, also known as G-20, together brings 19 nations and the European Union on a single platform to discuss important issues that affect the world in terms of economic recovery and social changes. Note, it does not have any secretariat.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

• Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental organization based in the OECD building in Paris. The G-7 was established in 1989 to combat the issue of money laundering. In 2001, its functional jurisdiction extended to terror financing. As of 2020, it has 39 members
• It has divided itself into smaller groups, also called peer groups. An example of this is the Asia Pacific subgroup, of which India and Pakistan are a part. It has many observers, including the World Bank, IMF, and other countries

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Trade Organization was established in 1995. It is a multilateral organization regulating and supporting international trade. It began its operations on January 1, with 164 members, representing more than 96% of GDP and global trade. 

According to reports, the world’s largest international economic organization, the World Trade Organization, is headed by Roberto Azevêdo. 

World Health Organization (WHO)

• The next in the list of the top international organizations is the World Health Organization, popularly known as WHO. The organization is a United Nations organization responsible for keeping a check over international public health

• The World Health Organization has 150 field offices around the globe and six semi-autonomous regional offices. It was first established on April 7, 1948, and is currently headed by Tedros Adhanom

Commonwealth of Nations 

The Commonwealth of Nations, popularly known as the commonwealth, is an international political association with 54 member states. Commonwealth Secretariat is the chief institution of the organization, which majorly focuses on intergovernmental aspects. 

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• The idea of a regional association of nations in the South Asian region can be traced back to former Bangladesh President General Ziaur Rahman
• The seven nations namely: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. continued to function. In 2007, Afghanistan joined the organisation and became its 8th member
• All decisions are taken by consensus in the SAARC.

G-7

• The G7 group consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. It is made up of the world’s seven major industrialised economies. During these meetings, the presidents of these countries take turns rotating the presidency to discuss global economic and monetary issues
• In 2014, Russia was kicked out of the G-8 after annexing Crimea unlawfully from Ukraine, and the G-7 was renamed the Group of Seven (G-7). A de facto eighth G-7 member is the European Union (EU) because it has all other rights and obligations of a full G-7 member, except for the ability to chair or host meetings.

WEF

• Geneva, Switzerland’s World Economic Forum (WEF) is an annual gathering of political and corporate leaders from around the world to discuss the most pressing global economic challenges. Concerns about politics, the economy, society, and the environment are only a few examples
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) is well known for its annual Davos World Economic Forum Meeting. International corporate and political leaders often attend this conference to discuss current global concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a 50-year-long schedule for this occurrence, which may be resumed in the first half of 2022. ‘

OPEC

• There are 13 countries that make up the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC was established in 1960 to offer member governments with technical and economic assistance while also coordinating their national petroleum policy
• Oil producers and consumers in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have formed a cartel to control oil supply in an effort to stabilize oil prices on the global market.

Conclusion

For the most part, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) were established to facilitate global cooperation on issues of peace, security, and economics and social justice. IGOs have risen to prominence in international political systems and global governance as a result of the increasing globalization and interconnectedness of nations.