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Major International Organisations

BRICS

BRICS is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It is a group of five major emerging economies, united to enhance cooperation in various fields.

Purpose and Focus Area

The primary goal of BRICS is to promote peace, security, and development in the member countries and the wider world. It focuses on economic cooperation, development, and cultural exchange. The group also works to reform global financial institutions to better represent emerging economies.

Membership

BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Its membership is issue-specific, focusing on economic development and cooperation among these large, populous countries.

Headquarters and Origin

BRICS does not have a formal headquarters, but important meetings usually take place in member countries. The group was formed in 2010 as a response to the growing influence of these countries in the global economy. A significant contribution of BRICS is its New Development Bank, which provides funding for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

G20

The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum composed of 19 countries and the European Union. It plays a major role in global economic governance.

Purpose and Focus Area

The G20 aims to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth. It discusses key economic issues and coordinates policy responses among the world's largest economies.

Membership

Members include major economies such as the USA, China, Japan, Germany, and India, representing about 80% of global GDP. Membership is global, focusing on the world's largest economies.

Headquarters and Origin

The G20 was established in 1999, initially as a meeting of finance ministers, but became a leaders' summit in response to the 2008 financial crisis. One of its notable contributions is the coordinated response to the global economic downturn in 2008, which helped stabilise the world economy.

G7

G7 stands for Group of Seven, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is an intergovernmental organisation focused on economic policies.

Purpose and Focus Area

The G7 meets to discuss and coordinate economic policies and strategies of its member countries. It addresses issues such as global security, climate change, and trade.

Membership

The G7 consists of seven of the world's advanced economies, making it a regional and issue-specific group focused on economic governance.

Headquarters and Origin

The G7 was formed in the 1970s to discuss economic challenges and was formalised as a leaders' summit in 1975. A significant contribution has been their efforts in addressing climate change, particularly through the Paris Agreement.

NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance consisting of 30 member countries from North America and Europe.

Purpose and Focus Area

NATO's primary aim is to ensure collective defence and security among its members against military threats. It also engages in crisis management and cooperative security.

Membership

NATO's membership includes countries from North America and Europe, and it is a military alliance focused on defence and security.

Headquarters and Origin

Founded in 1949, NATO's headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium. It was established in response to the threat from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. NATO has played a crucial role in maintaining peace in Europe, notably through its operations in the Balkans in the 1990s.

UNICEF

UNICEF, or the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, is a branch of the United Nations dedicated to promoting children's rights and welfare worldwide.

Purpose and Focus Area

UNICEF focuses on providing humanitarian aid to children in need, ensuring access to healthcare, education, and protection from exploitation. It publishes reports on child welfare and develops programs to improve children's lives globally.

Membership

UNICEF works with all member states of the United Nations, demonstrating its global focus on children's rights and welfare.

Headquarters and Origin

Established in 1946, UNICEF is headquartered in New York City. It was initially formed to provide relief to children after World War II. One of UNICEF's significant contributions is its role in the successful vaccination campaigns against polio and measles around the world.

WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for public health.

Purpose and Focus Area

WHO aims to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. It publishes health guidelines, conducts health research, and responds to health emergencies.

Membership

WHO has 194 member states, indicating a global commitment to improving healthcare and public health worldwide.

Headquarters and Origin

WHO was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. One of its major contributions has been its leadership during epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating health responses globally.

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the UN that promotes international collaboration in education, science, and culture.

Purpose and Focus Area

UNESCO seeks to foster peace and security by promoting education and cultural understanding. It publishes reports and engages in projects related to education and heritage protection.

Membership

UNESCO has 193 member states, making it a global organisation focused on educational and cultural cooperation.

Headquarters and Origin

Founded in 1945, UNESCO is headquartered in Paris, France. It was established to promote peace through education and cultural dialogue, such as its work in protecting World Heritage Sites around the globe.

OPEC

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of oil-exporting countries.

Purpose and Focus Area

OPEC's primary focus is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets.

Membership

OPEC currently has 13 member countries, primarily from the Middle East, Africa, and South America, showcasing its regional and issue-specific focus on oil production and pricing.

Headquarters and Origin

Founded in 1960, OPEC's headquarters is located in Vienna, Austria. It was established during a time of fluctuating oil prices and has played a key role in managing oil supply and prices on a global scale, demonstrating influence during the oil crises of the 1970s.

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