International organisations are formed by countries working together to promote peace, cooperation, development, and global welfare.

They help in solving problems like poverty, diseases, wars, and trade disputes.
India is an active member of many such organisations.

These bodies also create common rules and policies that guide relations between nations.

Their goal is to make the world a safer, fairer, and more prosperous place for everyone.

1. United Nations (UN)

 Overview

• Full Form: United Nations
• Founded: 24 October 1945
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Members: 193 countries
• Official Languages: English, French, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Spanish

 Main Functions

• Maintains international peace and security
• Promotes human rights and social progress
• Provides humanitarian aid during crises
• Works through its agencies like UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, FAO, IMF, and World Bank

 Key Fact: 24 October is celebrated every year as United Nations Day.

 2. IMF – International Monetary Fund

 Overview

• Full Form: International Monetary Fund
• Founded: 27 December 1945
• Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA
• Members: 190 countries

 Main Functions

• Maintains global financial stability
• Provides loans to countries in crisis
• Monitors exchange rates and international trade
• Offers policy advice to developing nations

 Key Fact: IMF was created after World War II to rebuild global economies.

 3. World Bank

 Overview

• Founded: 1944 (along with IMF, at the Bretton Woods Conference)
• Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA
• Members: 189 countries

 Main Functions

• Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries
• Helps in reducing poverty and building infrastructure (roads, schools, power, etc.)
• Major branches:
  • IBRD – International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  • IDA – International Development Association

 Key Fact: The World Bank and IMF are known as the Bretton Woods Twins.

 4. WTO – World Trade Organization

 Overview

• Full Form: World Trade Organization
• Founded: 1 January 1995
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 164 countries

 Main Functions

• Promotes free and fair trade among countries
• Resolves trade disputes
• Sets rules for exports, imports, and tariffs

 Key Fact: It replaced the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) established in 1948.

 5. WHO – World Health Organization

 Overview

• Full Form: World Health Organization
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 194 countries

 Main Functions

• Deals with global health issues
• Works on disease control, vaccination, and health research
• Leads global efforts during pandemics (e.g., COVID-19)

 Key Fact: 7 April is observed as World Health Day every year (WHO’s founding day).

 6. NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization

 Overview

• Full Form: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• Founded: 4 April 1949
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Members: 32 countries (as of 2025)

 Main Functions

• A military alliance formed for collective defense — if one member is attacked, others defend it.
• Created during the Cold War to counter the Soviet Union.

 Key Fact: The United States, Canada, and several European nations are founding members.

 7. ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations

 Overview

• Full Form: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• Founded: 8 August 1967
• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Members: 10 Southeast Asian countries

 Main Functions

• Promotes economic growth, political stability, and cultural cooperation in Southeast Asia.
• India is not a member but has strong partnership ties through the “ASEAN-India Dialogue.”

 Key Fact: Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

 8. SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

 Overview

• Full Form: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
• Founded: 8 December 1985
• Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
• Members: 8 South Asian countries — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan

 Main Functions

• Promotes regional cooperation in South Asia in fields like trade, education, culture, and technology.
• Works to improve relations among neighboring nations.

 Key Fact:India was one of the founding members of SAARC.

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