Specialized agencies

Autonomous organizations linked to the UN

Agencies & programmes

Specialized agencies are independent international organizations, each with its own members, budget and governing body, linked to the UN by special agreements and coordinated through ECOSOC.

Health, education and labour

World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, 1948: leads global health work, including the eradication of smallpox and the fight against polio.
UNESCO, Paris, 1945: education, science and culture; designates World Heritage Sites such as Mohenjo-daro and Taxila.
International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva, 1919: labour standards and workers' rights; older than the UN itself and the only tripartite agency (governments, employers and workers).

Food and agriculture

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome, 1945: fights hunger and improves agriculture.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rome, 1977: finances rural development.

Finance and development

International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington, 1944/45: monetary cooperation and balance-of-payments support.
World Bank Group, Washington, 1944/45: loans and grants for development.
UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna.

Transport, communication and other fields

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva, 1865: the oldest agency.
Universal Postal Union (UPU), Bern, 1874.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal.
International Maritime Organization (IMO), London.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva.
UN Tourism (formerly the World Tourism Organization), Madrid.