Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
established – NA November 1974
aim – UN specialized agency that promotes agricultural development
members – (144) Category I – (21 industrialized aid contributors) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
members – Category II – (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela
members – Category III – (111 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
International Investment Bank (IIB)
Note – established on 7 July 1970; to promote economic development; members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now a Russian bank with a new charter
International Labor Organization (ILO)
established – 11 April 1919 (affiliated with the UN 14 December 1946)
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with world labor issues
members – (150) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, The Gambia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federation of Micronesia, Moldova, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa; other member is Switzerland
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Note – name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with world maritime affairs
members – (135) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire
associate members – (2) Hong Kong, Macao
International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)
established – 3 September 1976
aim – to provide worldwide communications for maritime and other applications
members – (63) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Yugoslavia
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with world monetary stability and economic development
members – (156) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Cuba, Estonia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati and Tonga
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
aim – to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France (8-23 February); 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain (25 July-9 August); 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer; Norway (12-27 February); 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States (20 July-4 August); 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan (date NA)
members – (167) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
International Organization for Migration (IOM) – established as Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for Migration (ICM) in November 1980; current name adopted 14 November 1989
aim – to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration
members – (39) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers – (25) Belize, Brazil, Cape Verde, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, NZ, Pakistan, San Marino, Somalia, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, UK, Vatican City, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
established – NA February 1947
aim – to promote the development of international standards
members – (72 national standards organizations) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia
correspondent members – (14) Bahrain, Barbados, Brunei, Guinea, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jordan, Kuwait, Malawi, Mauritius, Oman, Senegal, UAE, Uruguay
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
aim – to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) in peacetime
members – (9) 2 representatives from ICRC, 2 from LORCS, and 5 from national societies elected by the international conference of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
affiliated with the UN – 15 November 1947
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with world telecommunications
members – (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Dominica, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federation of Micronesia, Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga, Vatican City
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)
aim – to develop and operate a global commercial telecommunications satellite system
members – (118) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Islamic Development Bank (IDB)
established – 15 December 1973
aim – to promote Islamic economic aid and social development
members – (43 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
Latin American Economic System (LAES) – , also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA)
aim – to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation
members – (26) Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) – , also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)
aim – to promote freer regional trade
members – (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS)
aim – to provide humanitarian aid in peacetime
members – (147) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members – (2) Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
least developed countries (LLDCs)
Note – that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GNPs/GDPs normally less than $500, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries. The 41 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Yemen
less developed countries (LDCs)
Note – the bottom group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GNPs/GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,000; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries. The 173 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Note – another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)
Note – another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
aim – to arrest missile proliferation by controlling the export of key missile technologies and equipment
members – (20) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
newly industrializing countries (NICs)
Note – former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
newly industrializing economies (NIEs)
Note – that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan) plus Brazil and Mexico
established – 1-6 September 1961
aim – political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs
members – (101 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization
observers – (9) Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Uruguay
guests – (11) Australia, Austria, Dominican Republic, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
aim – to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation
members – (5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden; note – Denmark includes Faroe Islands and Greenland
aim – to promote economic cooperation and development
members – (5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Note – a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs)
North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) – an extension of NATO
aim – to form a forum to discuss cooperation concerning mutual political and security issues
members – (35) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
established – 17 September 1949
aim – mutual defense and cooperation in other areas
members – (16) Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US
aim – associated with OECD, seeks to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
members – (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
Note – also known as the London Suppliers Group
aim – to establish guidelines on exports of enrichment and processing plant assistance and nuclear exports to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability
members – (27) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL)
Note – see Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
established – 14 December 1960, effective 30 September 1961
aim – to promote economic cooperation and development
members – (24) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US
special member – (1) Yugoslavia
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
aim – to promote unity and cooperation among African states
members – (50) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Organization of American States (OAS)
aim – to promote peace and security as well as economic and social development
members – (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela
observers – (25) Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Cyprus, EC, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Vatican City
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
aim – to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry
members – (11) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
aim – to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation
members – (8) Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
established – 14 September 1960
aim – to coordinate petroleum policies
members – (13) Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
established – 22-25 September 1969
aim – to promote Islamic solidarity and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs
members – (47 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan (suspended), Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization
observer – (1) Turkish-Cypriot administered area of Cyprus
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
aim – to facilitate the settlement of international disputes
members – (75) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
aim – ECOSOC organization dealing with population matters
members – (27) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
aim – a consultation mechanism on regional Latin American issues
members – (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; note – Panama was expelled in 1988
Note – another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies
Note – in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note – the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries
Note – a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs)
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
aim – to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation
members – (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
South Pacific Commission (SPC)
aim – to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters
members – (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa
aim – to promote regional cooperation in political matters
members – (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa
observer – (1) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
established – 11 December 1969
aim – to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters
members – (9) Bophuthatswana, Botswana, Ciskei, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Transkei, Venda
Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)
aim – to promote regional economic development and reduce dependence on South Africa
members – (10) Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
aim – regional economic cooperation
members – (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
aim – ECOSOC organization dealing with development and standardization of national statistics
members – (25) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
Note – another term for the less developed countries; the term is fading from use; see less developed countries (LDCs)
Note – refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs)
Note – refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs)
Union Douaniere et Economique de l’Afrique Centrale (UDEAC)
Note – see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)
aim – to maintain international peace and security as well as promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
members – (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note – all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
observers – (3 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Monaco, Switzerland, Vatican City, Palestine Liberation Organization
United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM)
established – 20 December 1988
aim – established by the UN Security Council to verify the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola
members – (10) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Congo, Czechoslovakia, India, Jordan, Norway, Spain, Yugoslavia
United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS or Habitat)
aim – to assist in solving human settlement problems
members – (88) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Note – acronym retained from the predecessor organization UN International Children’s Emergency Fund
established – 11 December 1946
aim – to help establish child health and welfare services
members – (41) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
established – 30 December 1964
aim – to promote international trade
members – (181) all UN members plus Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga, Vatican City
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
established – 22 November 1965
aim – to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development
members – (48) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli ceasefire
members – (4) Austria, Canada, Finland, Poland
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
established – 16 November 1945
aim – to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture
members – (159) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga
associate members – (3) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antilles
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
established – 15 December 1972
aim – to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters
members – (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
aim – established by the UN Security Council to serve as a peacekeeping force beween Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus
members – (8) Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UK
United Nations General Assembly
aim – primary deliberative organ in the UN
members – (178) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
established – 17 November 1966
aim – UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members
members – (150) all UN members except Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Chad, Croatia, Djibouti, Estonia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; other members are Switzerland, Tonga
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
aim – established by the UN Security Council to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore peace, and reestablish Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon
members – (9) Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Norway, Sweden
United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG)
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1988 Iran-Iraq ceasefire
members – (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Senegal, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zambia
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
aim – established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan ceasefire
members – (8) Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Uruguay
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
aim – to try to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems
members – (43) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Vatican City, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Note – acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities
aim – to promote assistance in dealing with population problems
members – (51) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
aim – to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees
members – (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US
aim – primary administrative organ of the UN
members – Secretary General appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council
United Nations Security Council
aim – to maintain international peace and security
permanent members – (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
nonpermanent members – (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Austria (1991-92), Belgium (1991-92), Cuba (1990-91), Ecuador (1991-92), India (1991-92), Ivory Coast (1990- 91), Romania (1990-91), Yemen (1990-91), Zaire (1990-91), Zimbabwe (1991-92)
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
aim – initially established by the UN Security Council to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli ceasefire and subsequently extended to work in the Sinai, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
members – (19) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, US
United Nations Trusteeship Council
aim – to supervise the administration of the UN trust territories; only one of the original 11 trusteeships remains – the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
members – (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US
established – 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947
aim – UN specialized agency that promotes international postal cooperation
members – (168) all UN members except Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Namibia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK Overseas Territories, Vatican City
Note – was established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states were Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR
West African Development Bank (WADB)
Note – also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)
established – 14 November 1973
aim – to promote economic development and integration
members – (7) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo
West African Economic Community (CEAO)
Note – acronym from Communaute Economique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest
aim – to promote regional economic development
members – (7) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal
aim – mutual defense and progressive political unification
members – (10) Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK
see International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Note – includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC)
World Confederation of Labor (WCL)
established – 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968
aim – to promote the trade union movement
members – (96 national organizations) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bonaire Island, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadaloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
see International Court of Justice (ICJ)
World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)
aim – to promote the trade union movement
members – (67) Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire
established – 17 December 1974
aim – ECOSOC organization that studies world food problems and recommends solutions
members – (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
established – 24 November 1961
aim – ECOSOC organization that provides food aid to assist in development or disaster relief
members – (30) selected on a rotating basis from all regions
World Health Organization (WHO)
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with health matters
members – (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bosnia and Hercegovina, China, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
aim – UN specialized agency concerned with the protection of literary, artistic, and scientific works
members – (125) Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
aim – specialized UN agency concerned with meteorological cooperation
members – (162) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Moldova, Namibia, Poland, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; South Africa is included although WMO membership is suspended; other members are British Caribbean Territories, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Switzerland
World Tourism Organization (WTO)
aim – promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace
members – (102) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
associate members – (4) Aruba, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico
permanent observer – (1) Vatican City
aim – to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
members – (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US
Appendix D: Weights and Measures Mathematical Notation
Mathematical Power Name
10^18 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 one quintillion 10^15 or 1,000,000,000,000,000 one quadrillion 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion 10^9 or 1,000,000,000 one billion 10^6 or 1,000,000 one million
10^3 or 1,000 one thousand 10^2 or 100 one hundred
10^1 or 10 ten
10^0 or 1 one
10^-1 or 0.1 one tenth
10^-2 or 0.01 one hundredth 10^-3 or 0.001 one thousandth 10^-6 or 0.000 001 one millionth 10^-9 or 0.000 000 001 one billionth 10^-12 or 0.000 000 000 001 one trillionth 10^-15 or 0.000 000 000 000 001 one quadrillionth 10^-18 or 0.000 000 000 000 000 001 one quintillionth Metric Interrelationships
Conversions from a multiple or submultiple to the basic units of meters, liters, or grams can be done using the table. For example, to convert from kilometers to meters, multiply by 1,000 (9.26 kilometers equals 9,260 meters) or to convert from meters to kilometers, multiply by 0.001 (9,260 meters equals 9.26 kilometers)
Prefix Symbol Length, Area Volume weight,
capacity
exa E 10^18 10^36 10^54 peta P 10^15 10^30 10^45
tera T 10^12 10^24 10^36 giga G 10^9 10^18 10^27
mega M 10^6 10^12 10^18 hectokilo hk 10^5 10^10 10^15
myria ma 10^4 10^8 10^12 kilo k 10^3 10^6 10^9
hecto h 10^2 10^4 10^6 basic unit – 1 meter, 1 meter^2 1 meter^3 1 gram,
1 liter
deci d 10^-1 10^-2 10^-3 centi c 10^-2 10^-4 10^-6
milli m 10^-3 10^-6 10^-9 decimilli dm 10^-4 10^-8 10^-12
centimilli cm 10^-5 10^-10 10^-15 micro u 10^-6 10^-12 10^-18
nano n 10^-9 10^-18 10^-27 pico p 10^-12 10^-24 10^-36
femto f 10^-15 10^-30 10^-45 atto a 10^-18 10^-36 10^-54
Unit Metric Equivalent US Equivalent acre 0.404 685 64 hectares 43,560 feet^2 acre 4,046,856 4 meters^2 4,840 yards^2 acre 0.004 046 856 4 0.001 562 5 miles^2, kilometers^2 statute are 100 meters^2 119.599 yards^2 barrel (petroleum, US) 158.987 29 liters 42 gallons barrel (proof spirits, 151.416 47 liters 40 gallons US)
barrel (beer, US) 117.347 77 liters 31 gallons bushel 35.239 07 liters 4 pecks cable 219.456 meters 120 fathoms chain (surveyor’s) 20.116 8 meters 66 feet cord (wood) 3.624 556 meters^3 128 feet^3 cup 0.236 588 2 liters 8 ounces, liquid (US) degrees, celsius (water boils at 100. multiply by 1.8 and add degrees C, freezes at 0. C) 32 to obtain .F degrees, fahrenheit subtract 32 and divide by (water boils at 212 .F, 1.8 to obtain .C freezes at 32 .F) dram, avoirdupois 1.771 845 2 grams 0.062 5 ounces, avoirdupois dram, troy 3.887 934 6 grams 0.125 ounces, troy dram, liquid (US) 3.696 69 milliliters 0.125 ounces, liquid fathom 1.828 8 meters 6 feet foot 30.48 centimeters
foot 0.304 8 meters 0.333 333 3 yards foot 0.000 304 8 kilometers 0.000 189 39 miles, statute
foot^2 929.030 4 centimeters^2 144 inches^2 foot 2 0.092 903 04 meters^2 0.111 111 1 yards^2 foot^3 28.316 846 592 liters 7.480 519 gallons foot^3 0.028 316 847 meters^3 1,728 inches^3 furlong 201.168 meters 220 yards gallon, liquid (US) 3.785 411 784 liters 4 quarts, liquid gill (US) 118.294 118 milliliters 4 ounces, liquid grain 64.798 91 milligrams 0.002 285 71 ounces, advp.
gram 1,000 milligrams 0.035 273 96 ounces, advp.
hand (height of horse) 10.16 centimeters 4 inches hectare 10,000 meters^2 2.471 053 8 acres hundredweight, long 50.802 345 kilograms 112 pounds, avoirdupois hundredweight, short 45.359 237 kilograms 100 pounds, avoirdupois inch 2.54 centimeters 0.083 333 33 feet inch2 6.451 6 centimeters^2 0.006 944 44 feet^2 inch3 16.387 064 centimeters^3 0.000 578 7 feet^3 inch3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.029 761 6 pints, dry inch3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.034 632 0 pints, liquid kilogram 0.001 tons, metric 2.204 623 pounds, avoirdupois
kilometer 1,000 meters 0.621 371 19 miles, statute
kilometer^2 100 hectares 247.105 38 acres kilometer^2 1,000,000 meters^2 0.386 102 16 miles^2, statute
knot (1 nautical 1.852 kilometers/hour 1.151 statute miles/hour mi/hr)
league, nautical 5.559 552 kilometers 3 miles, nautical league, statute 4.828.032 kilometers 3 miles, statute link (surveyor’s) 20.116 8 centimeters 7.92 inches liter 0.001 meters^3 61.023 74 inches^3 liter 0.1 dekaliter 0.908 083 quarts, dry liter 1,000 milliliters 1.056 688 quarts, liquid meter 100 centimeters 1.093 613 yards meter^2 10,000 centimeters^2 1.195 990 yards^2 meter^3 1,000 liters 1.307 951 yards^3 micron 0.000 001 meter 0.000 039 4 inches mil 0.025 4 millimeters 0.001 inch mile, nautical 1.852 kilometers 1.150 779 4 miles, statute
mile^2, nautical 3.429 904 kilometers^2 1.325 miles^2, statute mile, statute 1.609 344 kilometers 5,280 feet or 8 furlongs mile^2, statute 258.998 811 hectares 640 acres or 1 section mile^2, statute 2.589 988 11 kilometers^2 0.755 miles^2, nautical minim (US) 0.061 611 52 milliliters 0.002 083 33 ounces, liquid
ounce, avoirdupois 28.349 523 125 grams 437.5 grains ounce, liquid (US) 29.573 53 milliliters 0.062 5 pints, liquid ounce, troy 31.103 476 8 grams 480 grains pace 76.2 centimeters 30 inches peck 8.809 767 5 liters 8 quarts, dry pennyweight 1.555 173 84 grams 24 grains pint, dry (US) 0.550 610 47 liters 0.5 quarts, dry pint, liquid (US) 0.473 176 473 liters 0.5 quarts, liquid point (typographical) 0.351 459 8 millimeters 0.013 837 inches pound, avoirdupois 453.592 37 grams 16 ounces, avourdupois pound, troy 373.241 721 6 grams 12 ounces, troy quart, dry (US) 1.101 221 liters 2 pints, dry quart, liquid (US) 0.946 352 946 liters 2 pints, liquid quintal 100 kilograms 220.462 26 pounds, avdp. rod 5.029 2 meters 5.5 yards scruple 1.295 978 2 grams 20 grains section (US) 2.589 988 1 kilometers^2 1 mile2, statute or 640 acres
span 22.86 centimeters 9 inches stere 1 meter3 1.307 95 yards^3 tablespoon 14.786 76 milliliters 3 teaspoons teaspoon 4.928 922 milliliters 0.333 333 tablespoons ton, long or 1,016.046 909 kilograms 2,240 pounds, avoirdupois deadweight
ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 2,204.623 pounds, avoirdupois
ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 32,150.75 ounces, troy ton, register 2.831 684 7 meters^3 100 feet^3 ton, short 907.184 74 kilograms 2,000 pounds, avoirdupois township (US) 93.239 572 kilometers^2 36 miles^2, statute yard 0.914 4 meters 3 feet yard^2 0.836 127 36 meters^2 9 feet^2 yard^3 0.764 554 86 meters^3 27 feet^3 yard^3 764.554 857 984 liters 201.974 gallons
Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
This list indicates where various names including all United States Foreign Service Posts, alternate names, former names, and political or geographical portions of larger entities can be found in The World Factbook. Spellings are not necessarily those approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names are included in parentheses; additional information is included in brackets.
Name Entry in The World Factbook
Abidjan [US Embassy] Ivory Coast Abu Dhabi [US Embassy] United Arab Emirates Acapulco [US Consular Agency] Mexico
Accra [US Embassy] Ghana
Adana [US Consulate] Turkey
Addis Ababa [US Embassy] Ethiopia Adelaide [US Consular Agency] Australia Adelie Land (Terre Adelie) Antarctica [claimed by France]
Aden Yemen
Aden, Gulf of Indian Ocean Admiralty Islands Papua New Guinea Adriatic Sea Atlantic Ocean
Aegean Islands Greece
Aegean Sea Atlantic Ocean Afars and Issas, French Djibouti
Territory of the (F.T.A.I.)
Agalega Islands Mauritius
Aland Islands Finland
Alaska United States
Alaska, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Aldabra Islands Seychelles
Alderney Guernsey
Aleutian Islands United States Alexander Island Antarctica
Alexandria [US Consulate General] Egypt Algiers [US Embassy] Algeria
Alhucemas, Penon de Spain
Alma-Ata Kazakhstan
Alphonse Island Seychelles Amami Strait Pacific Ocean
Amindivi Islands India
Amirante Isles Seychelles
Amman [US Embassy] Jordan
Amsterdam [US Consulate General] Netherlands Amsterdam Island (Ile Amsterdam) French Southern and Antarctic Lands Amundsen Sea Pacific Ocean
Amur China; Russia
Andaman Islands India
Andaman Sea Indian Ocean Anegada Passage Atlantic Ocean
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Sudan
Anjouan Comoros
Ankara [US Embassy] Turkey
Annobon Equatorial Guinea Antananarivo [US Embassy] Madagascar Antipodes Islands New Zealand
Antwerp [US Consulate General] Belgium Aozou Strip [claimed by Libya] Chad
Aqaba, Gulf of Indian Ocean Arabian Sea Indian Ocean
Arafura Sea Pacific Ocean Argun China; Russia
Ascension Island Saint Helena Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) Turkmenistan
Ashkhabad [Interim Chancery] Turkmenistan Assumption Island Seychelles
Asuncion [US Embassy] Paraguay Asuncion Island Northern Mariana Islands Atacama Chile
Athens [US Embassy] Greece
Attu United States
Auckland [US Consulate General] New Zealand Auckland Islands New Zealand
Australes Iles (Iles Tubuai) French Polynesia Axel Heiberg Island Canada
Azores Portugal
Azov, Sea of Atlantic Ocean
Bab el Mandeb Indian Ocean
Babuyan Channel Pacific Ocean Babuyan Islands Philippines
Baffin Bay Arctic Ocean
Baffin Island Canada
Baghdad Iraq
Baku Azerbaijan
Baky (Baku) Azerbaijan
Balabac Strait Pacific Ocean Balearic Islands Spain
Balearic Sea (Iberian Sea) Atlantic Ocean Bali [US Consular Agency] Indonesia
Bali Sea Indian Ocean
Balintang Channel Pacific Ocean Balintang Islands Philippines
Balleny Islands Antarctica Balochistan Pakistan
Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean Bamako [US Embassy] Mali
Banaba (Ocean Island) Kiribati Bandar Seri Begawan [US Embassy] Brunei
Banda Sea Pacific Ocean Bangkok [US Embassy] Thailand
Bangui [US Embassy] Central African Republic Banjul [US Embassy] Gambia, The
Banks Island Canada
Banks Islands (Iles Banks) Vanuatu Barcelona [US Consulate General] Spain
Barents Sea Arctic Ocean Barranquilla [US Consulate] Colombia
Bashi Channel Pacific Ocean Basilan Strait Pacific Ocean
Bass Strait Indian Ocean Batan Islands Philippines
Bavaria (Bayern) Germany
Beagle Channel Atlantic Ocean Bear Island (Bjornoya) Svalbard
Beaufort Sea Arctic Ocean Bechuanaland Botswana
Beijing [US Embassy] China
Beirut [US Embassy] Lebanon
Belau Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau)
Belem [US Consular Agency] Brazil Belep Islands (Iles Belep) New Caledonia Belfast [US Consulate General] United Kingdom Belgian Congo Zaire
Belgrade [US Embassy] Yugoslavia Belize City [US Embassy] Belize
Belle Isle, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Bellinghausen Sea Pacific Ocean
Belmopan Belize
Belorussia Belarus
Bengal, Bay of Indian Ocean Bering Sea Pacific Ocean
Bering Strait Pacific Ocean Berkner Island Antarctica
Berlin [US Branch Office] Germany Berlin, East Germany
Berlin, West Germany
Bern [US Embassy] Switzerland Bessarabia Romania; Moldova
Bijagos, Arquipelago dos Guinea-Bissau Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands
Bilbao [US Consulate] Spain
Bioko Equatorial Guinea Biscay, Bay of Atlantic Ocean
Bishbek [Interim Chancery] Kyrgyzstan Bishop Rock United Kingdom
Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea Bismarck Sea Pacific Ocean
Bissau [US Embassy] Guinea-Bissau Bjornoya (Bear Island) Svalbard
Black Rock Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Black Sea Atlantic Ocean
Boa Vista Cape Verde
Bogota [US Embassy] Colombia Bombay [US Consulate General] India
Bonaire Netherlands Antilles Bonifacio, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Bonin Islands Japan
Bonn [US Embassy] Germany
Bophuthatswana South Africa Bora-Bora French Polynesia
Bordeaux [US Consulate General] France Borneo Brunei; Indonesia; Malaysia Bornholm Denmark
Bosporus Atlantic Ocean Bothnia, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean
Bougainville Island Papua New Guinea Bougainville Strait Pacific Ocean Bounty Islands New Zealand
Brasilia [US Embassy] Brazil
Brazzaville [US Embassy] Congo
Bridgetown [US Embassy] Barbados Brisbane [US Consulate] Australia
British East Africa Kenya
British Guiana Guyana
British Honduras Belize
British Solomon Islands Solomon Islands British Somaliland Somalia
Brussels [US Embassy, US Mission Belgium to European Communities, US
Mission to the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (USNATO)]
Bucharest [US Embassy] Romania Budapest [US Embassy] Hungary
Buenos Aires [US Embassy] Argentina Bujumbura [US Embassy] Burundi
Byelorussia Belarus
Cabinda Angola
Cabot Strait Atlantic Ocean Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Cairo [US Embassy] Egypt
Calcutta [US Consulate General] India Calgary [US Consulate General] Canada
California, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Campbell Island New Zealand
Canal Zone Panama
Canary Islands Spain
Canberra [US Embassy] Australia Cancun [US Consular Agency] Mexico
Canton (Guangzhou) China
Canton Island Kiribati
Cape Town [US Consulate General] South Africa Caracas [US Embassy] Venezuela
Cargados Carajos Shoals Mauritius Caroline Islands Micronesia, Federated States of; Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean
Carpentaria, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Casablanca [US Consulate General] Morocco Cato Island Australia
Cebu [US Consulate] Philippines Celebes Indonesia
Celebes Sea Pacific Ocean Celtic Sea Atlantic Ocean
Central African Empire Central African Republic Ceuta Spain
Ceylon Sri Lanka
Chafarinas, Islas Spain
Chagos Archipelago (Oil Islands) British Indian Ocean Territory Channel Islands Guernsey; Jersey Chatham Islands New Zealand
Cheju-do Korea, South
Cheju Strait Pacific Ocean Chengdu [US Consulate General] China
Chesterfield Islands New Caledonia (Iles Chesterfield)
Chiang Mai [US Consulate General] Thailand Chihli, Gulf of (Bo Hai) Pacific Ocean China, People’s Republic of China
China, Republic of Taiwan
Choiseul Solomon Islands Christchurch [US Consular Agency] New Zealand Christmas Island [Indian Ocean] Australia Christmas Island [Pacific Ocean] Kiribati (Kiritimati)