The United Nations was established after World War II with the aim of preventing any war in the future and establishing peace in the world. UN is the largest and most powerful intergovernmental organisation in the world. It was established on 24th October 1945. Currently, 193 countries in the world are members of the UN. The headquarter of the UN is located in New York, USA. Since its establishment UN has been working for maintaining world peace and avoiding conflict among nations, it also works for remoting sustainable development, protection and preservation of the environment, and protecting human rights.

The important agencies of the UN are as follows:

(i) International Labour Organisation (ILO): Established in – 1919 to improve the conditions and living standards of workers. Headquarters – Geneva.

(ii) International Monetary Fund (IMF): Established in – 1945 to promote international monetary cooperation.

(iii) Food and Agricultural Organisation: Established in – 1945

(iv) United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Established in – 1945.

(v) World Health Organisation: Established in – 1948

(vi) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Established in – 1957

(vii) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Established in – 1965

(viii) World Trade Organisation (WTO): Established in – 1995

(ix) UN Women: Established in – 2010

(x) United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): Established in – 1997

(xi) United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP): Established in – 1972

(xii) International Development Association (IDA): Established in – 1960

(xiii) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF): Established in – 1946

(xiv) International Telecommunication Union (ITU): Established in – 1865