The United Nations was created more than 60 years ago to save succeeding generations from war, protect human rights, establish conditions for justice, and promote social progress and better standards of life. These fundamental objectives remain as critical as ever.
At the same time, over these six decades, new challenges have emerged—from international terrorism to climate change, to the spread of infectious diseases to other threats that transcend national borders.
These global problems can never be resolved by any one country acting alone. As the world’s only truly universal institution, the United Nations offers the best—if not the only—forum to galvanize global action to meet the challenges ahead.
Through brief and specific examples, this brochure illustrates some of the achievements of the United Nations so far, and how it can continue its valuable work in the future, for the sake of generations to come.
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General
of the United Nations
1 Maintaining
peace and security
By sending 63 peacekeeping and observer missions to the world’s
trouble spots over the past 60 years, the United Nations has been
able to restore calm, allowing many countries to recover from conflict.
There are now 17 peacekeeping operations around the world,
carried out by some 88,500 brave men and women from 119
countries who go where others can’t or won’t go.
2 Making peace
Since the 1990s, many conflicts have been brought to an end either
through UN mediation or the action of third parties acting with UN
support. The list includes El Salvador, Guatemala, Namibia, Cambodia,
Mozambique, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Burundi and the north-south
conflict in Sudan. Research credits UN peacemaking, peacekeeping
and conflict prevention activities as a major factor behind a 40-per
cent decline in conflict around the world since the 1990s. UN
preventive diplomacy and other forms of preventive action have
defused many potential conflicts. In addition, UN peace missions in the
field address post-conflict situations and carry out peacebuilding
measures.
3 Preventing
nuclear proliferation
For over five decades, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
has served as the world’s nuclear inspector. IAEA experts work to verify
that safeguarded nuclear material is used only for peaceful purposes.
To date, the Agency has safeguards agreements with 163 States.
4 Promoting development
The United Nations has devoted its attention and resources to promoting living standards and human skills and potential throughout the world. Since 2000, this work has been guided by the Millennium Development Goals. Virtually all funds for UN development assistance come from contributions donated by countries. For instance, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with staff in 166 countries, supports projects to reduce poverty, promote good governance, address crises and preserve the environment. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 155 countries, primarily on child protection, immunization, girls’ education and fighting HIV/AIDS. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) helps developing countries make the most of their trade opportunities. The World Bank provides developing countries with loans and grants, and has supported more than 10,000 development projects since 1947.
5 Focusing on
African development
Africa continues to be a high priority for the United Nations. In 2001,
African Heads of State adopted the continent’s own plan, the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development, which was endorsed by the General
Assembly in 2002 as the main framework for channelling international
support to Africa. The continent receives 38 per cent of UN system
expenditures for development, the largest share among the world’s
regions. All UN agencies have special programmes to benefit Africa.
6 Seeking a global solution to climate change
Climate change is a global problem that demands a global solution. The United Nations
has been at the forefront in assessing the science and forging a political solution. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which brings together 2,000 leading
climate change scientists, issues comprehensive scientific assessments every five
or six years: in 2007, it concluded with certainty that climate change was occurring
and that human activities were a primary cause. The 192 members of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change are negotiating a long-term agreement
that would both guide countries in reducing emissions that contribute to climate
change and help countries adapt to its effects. The UN Environment Programme
(UNEP) and other UN agencies have been at the forefront in raising awareness.
7 Helping countries to cope
with climate change
The UN helps developing countries to respond to the challenges of global climate
change. Twenty-seven UN agencies have formed a partnership to deal
comprehensively with the problem. For instance, the Global Environment Facility,
which brings together the UN Development Programme, the UN Environment
Programme and the World Bank, funds projects in developing countries.
As the financial mechanism of the Climate Convention, it allocates about
$250 million per year in projects on energy efficiency, renewable energies
and sustainable transportation.
8 Protecting
the environment
The United Nations is working to solve global environmental
problems. As an international forum for building
consensus and negotiating agreements, the UN is
tackling global problems like climate change, ozone
layer depletion, toxic waste, loss of forests and species,
and air and water pollution. Unless these problems
are addressed, markets and economies will not be
sustainable in the long term, as environmental losses
are depleting the natural “capital” on which growth and
human survival are based.
9 Promoting human rights
Since the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights in 1948, the United Nations has helped to enact dozens
of comprehensive agreements on political, civil, economic, social and
cultural rights. By investigating individual complaints, the UN human
rights bodies have focused world attention on cases of torture,
disappearance, arbitrary detention and other human rights violations,
and have generated international pressure on Governments to
improve their human rights records.
10 Fostering democracy
The United Nations promotes and strengthens democratic institutions
and practices around the world, including by helping people
in many countries to participate in free and fair elections.
The UN has provided electoral advice and assistance, and in
some cases election monitors, to more than 100 countries, often
at decisive moments in their history, such as Cambodia, El Salvador,
Mozambique, South Africa, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Iraq, Burundi,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nepal.
11 Promoting
women’s rights
A long-term objective of the United Nations has been to improve the
lives of women and empower them to have greater control over
their lives. The UN organized the first-ever World Conference on
Women (Mexico City, 1975), which, together with two World
Conferences during the UN Decade for Women (1976-1985)
and the World Conference in Beijing (1995), set the agenda for
advancing women’s rights and promoting gender equality. The
1979 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, ratified by 185 countries, has
helped to promote the rights of women worldwide.
12 Prosecuting
war criminals
By prosecuting and convicting war criminals, the UN tribunals established
for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda have helped to expand
international humanitarian and international criminal law dealing
with genocide and other violations of international law. Both tribunals
have contributed to restoring peace and justice in the affected countries
in the region. The International Criminal Court is an independent,
permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused
of the most serious international crimes—genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes—if national authorities are unwilling or
unable to do so. Situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
northern Uganda, Sudan’s Darfur region and the Central African
Republic have been referred to the Court, which has already established
itself as the centrepiece of the system of international criminal justice.
UN-backed courts in Sierra Leone and Cambodia are prosecuting
those responsible for serious violations of international law, including
mass killings and war crimes.
13 Ending apartheid
in South Africa
By imposing measures ranging from an arms embargo to a convention
against segregated sporting events, the United Nations was a major
factor in bringing about the downfall of the apartheid system. In 1994,
elections in which all South Africans were allowed to participate on an
equal basis led to the establishment of a multiracial Government.
14 Promoting
self-determination
and independence
When the United Nations was established in 1945, 750 million people—
almost a third of the world population—lived in non-self-governing
territories dependent on colonial powers. The UN played a role in
bringing about the independence of more than 80 countries that
are now sovereign nations.
15 Strengthening
international law
Over 510 multilateral treaties—on human rights, terrorism,
global crime, refugees, disarmament, trade, commodities,
the oceans and many other matters—have been negotiated
and concluded through the efforts of the United Nations.
16 Providing humanitarian
aid to refugees
More than 50 million refugees fleeing persecution, violence
and war have received aid from the Office of the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) since 1951, in a continuing effort that often
involves other agencies. UNHCR seeks long-term
or “durable” solutions by helping refugees repatriate to
their homelands, if conditions warrant, or by helping them to
integrate in their countries of asylum or to resettle in third
countries. There are more than 25 million refugees,
asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons, mostly women
and children, who are receiving food, shelter, medical aid,
education and repatriation assistance from the UN.
17 Aiding Palestine refugees
As the global community strives for a lasting peace between Israelis
and Palestinians, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA), a relief and human development
agency, has assisted four generations of Palestinian refugees with
education, health care, social services, microfinance and emergency
aid. Today, 4.4 million refugees in the Middle East are registered
with UNRWA.
18 Alleviating rural poverty
in developing countries
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) provides
low-interest loans and grants to very poor rural people. Since 1978,
IFAD has invested more than $10 billion, helping more than 300
million women and men increase their incomes and provide for their
families. Today, IFAD supports more than 200 programmes and
projects in 81 developing countries.
19 Promoting
women’s well-being
The United Nations has helped to promote women’s equality
and well-being. The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
supports programmes in more than 100 countries that seek to
eliminate violence against women, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS,
support women’s political participation and promote their economic
security—for instance, by increasing their access to work and
their rights to land and inheritance. The International Research
and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
helps to improve women’s quality of life and promote women’s rights
by carrying out action-oriented research and capacity-building on
security, migration and governance. All UN agencies must take into
account the needs of women.
20 Promoting reproductive
and maternal health
By promoting the right of individuals to make their own decisions
on the number, spacing and timing of their children through
voluntary family planning programmes, the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has helped people to make informed
choices and given families, especially women, greater control
over their lives. As a result, women in developing countries
are having fewer children—from six in the 1960s to three
today—slowing world population growth. Fewer unintended
pregnancies also means less maternal death and fewer unsafe
abortions. When UNFPA started work in 1969, under 20 per
cent of couples practiced family planning; the number now
stands at about 63 per cent. UNFPA and several partners
also help to provide skilled assistance during childbirth and
access to emergency obstetrical care to reduce maternal
deaths. UNFPA supports safe motherhood initiatives in
about 90 countries.
21 Providing safe
drinking water
During the first UN decade on water (1981-1990), more than a billion people
gained access to safe drinking water for the first time in their lives. By 2002,
another 1.1 billion people had clean water. In 2003, the International Year
of Freshwater raised awareness of the importance of protecting this precious
resource. The second international water decade (2005-2015) aims to reduce
by half the number of people without a source of clean drinking water.
22 Responding
to HIV/AIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
(UNAIDS) coordinates global action against an epidemic
that affects some 33 million people. It works in more
than 80 countries to provide universal access to HIV
prevention and treatment services, as well as to reduce
the vulnerability of individuals and communities and
alleviate the impact of the epidemic. UNAIDS brings
together the expertise of its 10 co-sponsoring UN
organizations.
23 Eradicating
smallpox
A 13-year effort by the World Health Organization (WHO)
resulted in smallpox being declared officially eradicated
from the planet in 1980. The eradication has saved
an estimated $1 billion a year in vaccination
and monitoring, almost three times the cost
of eliminating the scourge itself.
24 Wiping
out polio
Poliomyelitis has been eliminated from all but four
countries—Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and
Pakistan—as a result of the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative, the largest international
public health effort to date. Thanks to the Initiative,
spearheaded by the World Health Organization,
UNICEF, Rotary International and
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly
5 million children are walking who would otherwise
have been paralyzed by polio. A disease that
once crippled children in 125 countries is on the
verge of being eradicated.
25 Fighting neglected
tropical diseases
A World Health Organization programme eliminated river
blindness (onchocerciasis) in 10 West African countries
while opening up 25 million hectares of fertile land to
farming. Today, the disease is being controlled in 19
more countries under the African Programme for
Onchocerciasis Control. In 1991, efforts by UN
agencies in North Africa led to the elimination of the
dreaded screw worm, a parasite that feeds on human
and animal flesh. Guinea-worm disease (dracunculiasis)
is on the verge of being eradicated, while other neglected
diseases, such as leprosy—which has been eliminated in
116 out of 122 endemic countries—lymphatic filariasis,
schistosomiasis and sleeping sickness (human African
trypanosomiasis) are now under control.
26 Halting the spread
of epidemics
The World Health Organization helped to stop the spread
of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In March 2003,
it issued a global alert and emergency travel advisory, and its
leadership helped to stop this new disease, which had the
potential to become a worldwide epidemic. WHO investigates
over 200 disease outbreaks each year, 15 to 20 of which
require an international response. Some of the more prominent
diseases for which WHO is leading the global response include
meningitis, yellow fever, cholera and influenza.
27 Pressing for
universal immunization
Immunization saves more than 2 million lives every year. As a
result of efforts by the World Health Organization, UNICEF,
other organizations and Governments, an estimated 79 per cent of the
world's children are now vaccinated with the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus
vaccine, up from 20 per cent in 1980. Between 2000 and 2006, measles
deaths in Africa declined by 91 per cent, with a two-thirds reduction globally.
Barriers to introducing new vaccines are gradually being overcome, and
contacts forged through immunization are being used to provide
additional life-saving assistance, such as insecticide-treated nets to protect
against malaria and vitamin A supplements to prevent malnutrition.
28 Reducing child mortality
In 1990, 1 out of 10 children died before they were five
years old. Through oral rehydration therapy, clear water and
sanitation and other health and nutrition measures undertaken by
UN agencies, child mortality rates in developing countries had
dropped to less than 1 in 12 by 2006. The goal is now to reduce
the 1990 under-five mortality rate by two thirds by 2015.
29 Laying the groundwork
for business
The United Nations is good for business. It has provided the “soft infrastructure”
for the global economy by negotiating universally accepted technical
standards in such diverse areas as statistics, trade law, customs procedures,
intellectual property, aviation, shipping and telecommunications,
facilitating economic activity and reducing transaction costs. It
has laid the groundwork for investment in developing economies by
promoting stability and good governance, battling corruption
and urging sound economic policies and business-friendly legislation.
30 Supporting industry
in developing countries
The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has served
as a “matchmaker” for North-South and South-South industrial
cooperation, promoting entrepreneurship, investment, technology
transfer and cost-effective and sustainable industrial development.
It has helped countries to manage the process of globalization
smoothly and reduce poverty.
31 Helping
disaster victims
When natural disasters and emergencies arise, the United Nations
coordinates and mobilizes assistance to the victims. Working
together with Governments, the Red Cross/Red Crescent
Movement, major aid organizations and donors, the UN
provides much-needed humanitarian assistance. UN appeals
raise several billion dollars a year for emergency assistance.
32 Reducing the
effects of natural
disasters
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
has helped to spare millions of people from the
calamitous effects of both natural and man-made
disasters. Its early warning system, which
includes thousands of surface monitors, as well
as satellites, has made it possible to predict
with greater accuracy weather-related disasters,
has provided information on the dispersal of oil
spills and chemical and nuclear leaks and
has predicted long-term droughts. It has also
allowed for the efficient distribution of food aid
to drought-affected regions.
33 Providing
tsunami relief
Within 24 hours of the Indian Ocean tsunami of
26 December 2004, UN disaster assessment
and coordination experts were dispatched. The
United Nations leapt into action to assist the survivors,
distributing food to more than 1.7 million
individuals, providing shelter for more than 1.1
million made homeless, providing drinking
water to more than 1 million and vaccinating
more than 1.2 million children against measles—
all in the first six months of relief operations.
The quick and effective delivery of humanitarian
relief meant that no additional lives were lost due
to privation after the initial devastation, and the
outbreak of disease was averted.
34 Protecting the ozone layer
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) have been instrumental in highlighting the
damage caused to Earth’s ozone layer. As a result of a treaty known
as the Montreal Protocol, Governments are phasing out
chemicals that have caused the depletion of the ozone layer and
replacing them with safer alternatives. This will spare millions of people
from contracting skin cancer because of exposure to increased ultraviolet
radiation.
35 Clearing landmines
The United Nations clears landmines in 42 countries or territories,
including Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq,
Mozambique and the Sudan. Landmines kill or maim thousands
of civilians every year. The UN also teaches people how to stay out
of harm's way, helps victims to become self-sufficient, assist
countries in destroying stockpiled landmines and advocates
for full international participation in treaties related to landmines.
36 Providing food
to the neediest
The World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency,
reaches an average of 90 million hungry people in 80 countries every
year, including most of the world’s refugees and internally displaced
people. WFP food assistance is designed to meet the special needs
of hungry people, especially women and children—the vulnerable
majority most often affected by hunger. WFP works to break the
cycle of hunger at its root by targeting the poorest and most
malnourished people. School-feeding projects provide free lunches
or take-home meals to nearly 20 million schoolchildren—with each
meal costing just 25 U.S. cents. The agency’s logistical expertise
in emergency telecommunications enables it to dispatch help quickly
in the most difficult and dangerous situations. With over 90
per cent of its staff working in the field, WFP uses a global network
of planes, ships, helicopters, trucks and, if needed, donkeys, camels
and elephants to reach those most in need. WFP serves as an
advocate for the hungry, carrying the message from the
grass roots to political leaders around the world.
37 Fighting hunger
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) leads
global efforts to defeat hunger. The goal of universal food security
—where people everywhere have regular access to enough
high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives—is at the heart of all
its work. 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 also helps developing
countries to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and
fisheries practices in ways that conserve natural resources and
improve nutrition.
38 Tackling fish stock depletion
Seventy per cent of the world’s major commercial fish stocks
are exploited to their sustainable limits or beyond. FAO monitors
global fisheries production and the status of wild fish stocks and
works with countries to improve the management of fisheries,
stamp out illegal fishing, promote responsible international fish
trade and protect fragile species and environments.
39 Banning toxic chemicals
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants seeks to
rid the world of some of the most dangerous chemicals ever created.
Ratified by 150 countries, the Convention targets 12 hazardous
pesticides and industrial chemicals that can kill people, damage the
nervous and immune systems, cause cancer and reproductive
disorders and interfere with child development. Other UN conventions
and action plans help to preserve biodiversity, protect endangered
species, combat desertification, clean up seas and curb cross-border
movements of hazardous wastes.
40 Protecting
consumers’ health
To ensure the safety of food sold in the marketplace, FAO and the
World Health Organization, working with Member States, have
established standards for over 230 food commodities, safety limits
for more than 3,000 food contaminants, and regulations on food
processing, transport and storage. Standards on labelling and
description seek to ensure that the consumer is not misled. More
food than ever before is travelling the globe, and the United Nations
works to make sure that it is safe.
41 Combating terrorism
Member States have been coordinating their counter-terrorism
efforts through the United Nations. In 2006, the UN adopted a global
strategy to counter terrorism—the first time that all countries
agreed to a common approach to fighting terrorism. UN
agencies and programmes have helped countries to put
in practice the common strategy, providing legal assistance
and promoting international cooperation against terrorism.
The UN has also put in place a legal framework to combat terrorism.
Sixteen global legal instruments have been negotiated under UN
auspices, including treaties against hostage-taking, aircraft
hijacking, terrorist bombings, terrorism financing and, most recently,
nuclear terrorism.
42 Handing down judgments
in major international disputes
By delivering judgments and advisory opinions, the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) has helped to settle international disputes involving territorial
questions, maritime boundaries, diplomatic relations, State responsibility,
the treatment of aliens and the use of force, among others.
43 Improving global
trade relations
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has helped
developing countries to negotiate trade agreements and to win preferential
treatment for their exports. It has negotiated international commodity
agreements to ensure fair prices for developing countries, improved
the efficiency of their trade infrastructure and helped them to diversify
their production and to integrate into the global economy.
44 Promoting
economic reform
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have helped many
countries to improve their economic management, provided temporary
financial assistance to countries to help ease balance-of-payment
difficulties and offered training for government finance officials.
45 Promoting stability and
order in the world’s oceans
The United Nations has spearheaded international efforts to regulate the
use of the oceans under a single treaty. The 1982 UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea, which has gained nearly universal acceptance, provides
the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas. The
Convention lays down rules for the establishment of maritime zones,
the rights and duties of coastal and landlocked States, including with regard
to navigation, the protection of the marine environment, marine scientific
research, and the conservation and sustainable use of marine living
resources. The treaty includes mechanisms for settling disputes.
46 Improving aviation
and shipping
UN agencies have been responsible for setting safety standards for
aviation and shipping. The International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) has contributed to making air travel the safest mode of
transportation. In 1947, when 21 million travelled by air, 590 were
killed in aircraft accidents; in 2007, the number of deaths was 581
out of 2.2 billion airline passengers. Likewise, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) has helped to make the seas cleaner
and shipping safer and more secure. Statistics show that shipping
is becoming safer and is improving its environmental credentials.
Ship losses are falling, fatalities are decreasing, pollution incidents
are down, total oil pollution is down, and air pollution and pollution
from sewage are being tackled—all while the amount of cargo
carried by sea continues to increase.
47 Combating
international crime
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) works with countries and
organizations to counter transnational organized crime by providing
legal and technical assistance to fight corruption, money-laundering, drug
trafficking and smuggling of migrants, as well as by strengthening criminal
justice systems. It helps countries to prevent terrorism, it is a leader
in the global fight against trafficking in persons and, together with the
World Bank, it helps countries to recover assets stolen by corrupt leaders.
It has played a key role in brokering and implementing relevant international
Treaties, such as the UN Convention against Corruption and the UN
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
48 Containing the
world drug problem
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) works to reduce the supply of
and demand for illicit drugs under the three main UN conventions
on drug control. The Office works with countries to improve public health,
as well as public security, in order to prevent, treat and control drug abuse.
Efforts to contain the global drug problem have reversed a 25-year rise in
drug abuse and headed off a pandemic. Nevertheless, several countries
and regions remain vulnerable to the instability caused by drug cultivation and
trafficking. That is why the Office is particularly engaged in drug control in
Afghanistan, the Andean countries, Central Asia, Myanmar and West Africa.
49 Promoting decent work
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has established
standards and fundamental principles and rights for work,
including freedom of association and the right to collective
bargaining, the elimination of forced labour, the abolition
of child labour and the elimination of workplace
discrimination. Employment promotion, social protection
for all and strong social dialogue between employers’
and workers’ organizations and Governments are at the
core of ILO activities.
50 Improving literacy
and education in
developing countries
Today 83 per cent of adults in developing countries can read
and write and 84 per cent of children attend primary school. The
goal now is to ensure that by 2015 all children complete a full
course of primary school. Programmes aimed at promoting
education and advancement for women helped to raise the
female literacy rate in developing countries from 36 per cent in
1970 to 79 per cent in 2007. The next goal is to ensure that
by 2015 all girls complete primary and secondary school.
51 Generating worldwide
commitment in support
of children
From Afghanistan to Lebanon and from the Sudan to the former
Yugoslavia, UNICEF has pioneered the establishment of “days
of tranquillity” and the opening of “corridors of peace” to provide
vaccines and other aid desperately needed by children
caught in armed conflict. The Convention on the Rights of the
Child has become law in 193 countries. Following the 2002
UN special session on children, 190 Governments committed
themselves to a time-bound set of goals in the areas of health,
education, protection against abuse, exploitation and violence
and the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
52 Preserving historic,
cultural, architectural
and natural sites
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
has helped 137 countries to protect ancient monuments
and historic, cultural and natural sites. It has negotiated international
conventions to preserve cultural property, cultural diversity and
outstanding cultural and natural sites. More than 850 such sites
have been designated as having exceptional universal value.
53 Facilitating academic
and cultural exchanges
The United Nations, through UNESCO and the United Nations University,
has encouraged scholarly and scientific cooperation, networking
of higher education institutions and promotion of cultural expression,
including for minorities and indigenous people.
54 Encouraging creativity
and innovation
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) promotes the
protection of intellectual property rights and ensures that all countries
are in a position to harness the benefits of an effective intellectual
property system. Intellectual property, which at its core is a mechanism
designed to recognize and reward inventors and creators for their ingenuity
while safeguarding the public interest, helps to promote development
and create wealth. The incentives built into the intellectual property
system act as a spur to human creativity, pushing forward the boundaries
of science and technology and enriching the world of literature and the arts.
55 Promoting press freedom
and freedom of expression
To allow all people to obtain information that is free of censorship
and culturally diverse, UNESCO has helped to develop and strengthen
the media and supported independent newspapers and broadcasters.
UNESCO also serves as a watchdog for press freedom, and publicly
denounces serious violations like the assassination and detention
of journalists.
56 Improving housing
and city management
Cities are now home to half of humankind. They are the hub for much
national production and consumption—economic and social processes
that generate wealth and opportunity. But they also are places
of disease, crime, pollution and poverty. In many cities in developing
countries, slum-dwellers number more than 50 per cent of the
population and have little or no access to shelter, water and
sanitation. The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT),
with over 150 technical programmes and projects in some 50 countries,
works with Governments, local authorities and non-governmental
organizations to seek innovative solutions for towns and cities. These
include providing security of tenure for the urban poor, which is in turn
a catalyst for investment in housing and basic services for the poor.
57 Providing local access
to a global network
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) facilitates the exchange of international mail
and develops social, cultural and commercial communications between
peoples and businesses with up-to-date postal services and products.
Some 660,000 post offices around the world form one of the most
extensive networks in the world, facilitating the transfer of information,
goods and money. The Internet and new technologies have opened
new opportunities for postal services, especially in the area of
e-commerce, as goods ordered online still cannot be sent
electronically. The post remains a critical bridge between physical,
digital and financial operations and a key partner for global
development.
58 Promoting the rights of
persons with disabilities
The United Nations has been at the forefront of the fight for full equality
for persons with disabilities, promoting their participation in social,
economic and political life. The UN has shown that persons with disabilities
are a resource for society, and has negotiated the first-ever treaty to advance
their rights and dignity worldwide: the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, which entered into force in 2008.
59 Improving global telecommunications
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) brings together Governments and industry to develop and coordinate the operation of global telecommunication networks and services. It has coordinated shared use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world and negotiated the global standards that ensure the seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband Internet to the latest-generation wireless technologies, from air and sea navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world. [Translations: l'UIT s'engage à connecter le monde. La UIT se ha comprometido a conectar el mundo. 国际电联:致力于连通世界的工作。الاتحاد الدولي للاتصالات: التزام بتوصيل العالم МСЭ: Верен идее соединить мир.] Its work has enabled telecommunications to grow into a $1.3 trillion global industry.
60 Improving the plight
of indigenous people
The United Nations has brought to the fore injustices against
the 370 million to 500 million indigenous peoples who live in some 90
countries worldwide and who are among the most
disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world.
The 16-member Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
established in 2000, works to improve the situation of indigenous
peoples all over the world in development, culture, human
rights, the environment, education and health.
Nobel Peace Prizes to the United Nations
2007 | The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
2005 | The International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General,
Mohamed ElBaradei
2001 | The United Nations and its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan
1988 | The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces
1981 | The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
1969 | The International Labour Organization
1965 | The United Nations Children’s Fund
1961 | Dag Hammarskjöld, UN Secretary-General
1954 | The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
1950 | Ralph Bunche, Director of the UN Division of Trusteeship
Photo credits
Page 2: Jorgen Schytte/Still Pictures; Page 5: UN Photo/Martine Perret; Page 6: UN
Photo/Martine Perret; Page 8: Ron Giling/Peter Arnold, Inc.; Page 11: UN Photo;
Page 13: UN Photo/R. Chalasani; Page 14: UN Photo/Stephanie Hollyman; Page 17:
UN Photo/Ky Chung; Page 18: UNEP/Hlaing Thntint; Page 20: Ron Giling/Still Pictures;
Page 21: Shehzad Noorani/Still Pictures; Page 22: UNICEF/Roger LeMoyne; Page 24:
UN Photo; Page 27: UN Photo/Jorge Aramburu; Page 29: WFP/Mikael Bjerrum; Page
32: Sean Sprague/Still Pictures; Page 34: Macduff Everton/The Image Bank; Page 35:
Dougal Waters/Photodisc; Page 37: Magnum/Steve McCurry; Page 39: UN Photo;
Page 40: Peter Schickert/Still Pictures, Frans Lemmens/Still Pictures; Page 41: Ron
Giling/Still Pictures, Chlaus Lotscher/Still Pictures, Otto Stadler/Das Fotoarchiv; Page
43: Mark Henley/Panos; Page 44: Jorgen Schytte/Peter Arnold, Inc. Page 47: Tamas
Dezso/UNEP; Page 48: Luís Delgado Hurtado
The United Nations System
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) www.fao.org
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) www.iaea.org
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) www.icao.int
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) www.ifad.org
International Labour Organization (ILO) www.ilo.org
International Maritime Organization (IMO) www.imo.org
International Monetary Fund (IMF) www.imf.org
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) www.itu.int
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) www.unaids.org
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) www.ohchr.org
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) www.unhcr.org
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) www.opcw.org
PrepCom for the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization www.ctbto.org
United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) www.uncdf.org
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) www.unicef.org
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) www.unctad.org
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) www.unifem.org
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) www.undp.org
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) www.unep.org
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) www.unesco.org
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) www.unhabitat.org
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) www.unido.org
United Nations International Research and Training
Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) www.un-instraw.org
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) www.unodc.org
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) www.unfpa.org
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) www.un.org/unrwa
United Nations University (UNU) www.unu.edu
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) www.unv.org
Universal Postal Union (UPU) www.upu.int
World Bank Group www.worldbank.org
World Food Programme (WFP) www.wfp.org
World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.org
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) www.wipo.int
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) www.wmo.ch
World Tourism Organization (WTO) www.world-tourism.org
World Trade Organization (WTO) www.wto.org
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