Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Founded in 1945, the FAO has the responsibility of improving nutritional standards. This site includes information about nutrition, improving the output of farms, fisheries, and forests. It also has a built-in searchable index.

Based in Montreal, Canada, the ICAO assists pilots from different countries to fly safely in each other's air space and land at local airports.

The International Labour Organization, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. It was founded in 1919 and is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles which brought the League of Nations into being and it became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

Based in London, England, the International Maritime Organization oversees maritime safety and prevents pollution from ships.

The International Telecommunications Union, which is based in Geneva, ensures orderly global communications networks by assigning frequencies and satellite orbits.

The UNDP focuses on the elimination of poverty by improving member countries' capacity to develop jobs and promoting market development. Links to country offices and program activities are provided.

The United Nations Environmental Programme, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya, provides information on various environmental programs, aimed at improving the quality of life, is available through this site. Information on current world-wide environmental concerns is also available.

Based in Paris, UNESCO promotes collaboration among member nations in education, science, and culture. In addition to a subject listing of the organization's work, this site includes a searchable index which contains some full-text documents.

This agency's mission is to ensure access to family planning services and encourage population development strategies. This site contains reports on world population, population issues, and emergency reproductive health care.

The concern of the United Nations with the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms stems directly from the realization by the international community that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world", and from the resultant pledge of States Members of the United Nations "to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Based in Washington, DC, this agency is responsible for the well-being of world refugees. The site contains a clickable map which provides information on refugees in specific countries. It also includes a section for teachers, complete with lesson plans.

The UNICEF works to better the conditions of children worldwide. Information on this site can be found on topics ranging from the threat of landmines to children to the problem of child labor. It also has a built-in search engine.

The United Nations Development Fund for Women is based in New York, and promotes women's empowerment and gender equality throughout the world.

The Universal Postal Union, which is based in Berne, Switzerland, works to ensure delivery of mail throughout the world.

Known as the World Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provides loans as well as technical assistance to member nations to help increase their standards of living. The subject index provided is useful in locating information about the bank's many projects.

Fighting world hunger is the main focus of this agency. This site includes information on world regions with the greatest food shortages, weekly emergency reports, and areas vulnerable to disaster as a result of war or natural disasters.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO works to promote high levels of physical, mental, and social health. This site contains information on disease outbreaks around the world, reports on drug use, and health advice for travelers, among others.

Available in English, French, and Spanish, this site provides information ranging from weather prediction to air pollution. A useful list of links to information on hurricane El Niño, is also provided. The WMO is based in Geneva, Switzerland.