World Organisations and Their Headquarters, List, Established Date

Q: How many international organisations and their headquarters are there?

There are 107 international organisations.

Q: How many organisations are there in the world?

There are more than 300 intergovernmental organisations around the world.

Q: What is the world's largest organisation?

The United Nations is the largest organisation having 193 member states and 2 observer states.

Q: What is the world No 1 organisation?

The United Nations (UN) is considered as the world’s no. 1 organisation.

Q: What are the 8 agencies of the UN and their headquarters?

FAO. Headquarters: Rome, Italy ICAO. Headquarters: Montreal, Canada IFAD. Headquarters: Rome, Italy ILO. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland IMF. Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA IMO. Headquarters: London, United Kingdom ITU. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland UNESCO. Headquarters: Paris, France

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A World Organisation is a grouping composed of member states from multiple countries. These organisations serve as catalysts for collaboration, incorporating cooperation among their member nations. Their primary role is to promote the welfare and development of these nations, often by offering financial support to countries in need.

List of World Organisations and Their Headquarters is an important General Knowledge topic. The question from this topic can be asked in the General Awareness section. Candidates preparing for UPSC must learn the list given in this article.

World Organisations and Their Headquarters

In today’s world, creating unity in the world to maintain peace, the International Organisation came into existence and has functioned since then. One of the key objectives of such organisations is to ensure peace among the member countries while contributing to their economic and social progress. These organisations tackle the conflicts where more than one country is being affected and the diversity is being hampered.

List of World Organisations and Their Headquarters

In recent days where there are conflicts going on in various nations,these organisations are the incharge to maintaining the peace and improving the quality of lives of the citizens of that country. Below in the table we have shared the List of World Organisations and Their Headquarters to know which organisations work for which concern and are there any similar common goals to address.

List of World Organisations and Their Headquarters
Organisation	Headquarters	Established
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)	New York City, USA	1965
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)	Nairobi, Kenya	1972
United Nations Population Fund (UNPF)	New York City, USA	1969
United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat)	Nairobi, Kenya	1978
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)	New York City, USA	1946
World Food Programme (WFP)	Rome, Italy	1961
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)	Rome, Italy	1945
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)	Montreal, Canada	1947
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)	Rome, Italy	1977
International Labour Organization (ILO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1919
International Monetary Fund (IMF)	Washington, DC, USA	1944
International Maritime Organization (IMO)	London, United Kingdom	1948
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)	Geneva, Switzerland	1865
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)	Paris, France	1945
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)	Vienna, Austria	1966
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)	Madrid, Spain	1974
Universal Postal Union (UPU)	Bern, Switzerland	1874
World Health Organization (WHO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1948
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1967
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1950
World Bank	Washington, DC, USA	1944
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)	Geneva, Switzerland	1994
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)	Geneva, Switzerland	1950
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)	Geneva, Switzerland	1980
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)	Geneva, Switzerland	1963
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)	Copenhagen, Denmark	1973
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)	Amman, Jordan	1949
United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)	Turin, Italy	2002
United Nations University (UNU)	Tokyo, Japan	1973
UN Women	New York City, USA	2010
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)	Vienna, Austria	1957
International Organization for Migration (IOM)	Geneva, Switzerland	1951
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)	The Hague, Netherlands	1997
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)	Bonn, Germany	1994 (Signed in 1993)
World Trade Organization (WTO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1995
International Trade Centre (ITC)	Geneva, Switzerland	1964
African Development Bank Group	Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire	1964
African Union (AU)	Addis Abab, Ethiopia	2002
Amnesty International (AI)	London, United Kingdom	1961
Andean Community	Lima, Peru	1969
Arctic Council	Tromso, Norway	1996
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)	Queenstown, Singapore	1989
Asian Development Bank (ADB)	Mandaluyong, Philippines	1966
Association of Caribbean States (ACS)	Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tobago	1994
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)	Jakarta, Indonesia	1967
Bank for International Settlements (BIS)	Basel, Switzerland	1930
Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)	Istanbul, Turkey	1992
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)	Georgetown, Guyana	1973
Central American Bank for Economic Integration	Tegucigalpa, Honduras	1960
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)	Lusaka, Zambia	1994
Commonwealth Secretariat	London, United Kingdom	1965
Council of Europe	Strasbourg, France	1949
Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)	Geneva, Switzerland	1951
Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)	Stockholm, Switzerland	1992
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)	Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria	1975
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)	London, United Kingdom	1991
European Central Bank (ECB)	Frankfurt, Germany	1998
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)	Geneva, Switzerland	1960
Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA)	Amsterdam, Netherlands	1984
European Space Agency (ESA)	Paris, France	1975
European Union (EU)	Brussels, Belgium	1993
Group of Eight (G8)	New York, USA	1975
G-15 Summit	Geneva, Switzerland	1990
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)	Washington, DC, USA	1959
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)	Djibouti, Djibouti	1986
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)	Vienna, Austria	1957
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)	Montreal, Canada	1947
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)	Paris, France	1919
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)	Geneva, Switzerland	1863
International Court of Justice (ICJ)	The Hague, Netherlands	1945
International Development Association (IDA)	Washington, DC, USA	1960
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)	Geneva, Switzerland	1919
International Finance Corporation (IFC)	Washington, DC, USA	1956
International Labour Organization (ILO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1919
International Olympic Committee (IOC)	Lausanne, Switzerland	1894
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)	Geneva, Switzerland	1947
International Peace Bureau (IPB)	Geneva, Switzerland	1891
International Seabed Authority (ISA)	Kingston, Jamaica	1994
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)	Geneva, Switzerland	1984
Inter-Parliamentary Union	Geneva, Switzerland	1889
League of Arab States	Cairo, Egypt	1945
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)	Washington, DC, USA	1988
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)	Central Jakarta, Indonesia	1961
Nordic Council of Ministers	Copenhagen, Denmark	1971
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)	Washington, DC, USA	1949
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)	Paris, France	1961
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)	Vienna, Austria	1975
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)	Kuwait, Middle East	1968
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia	1969
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)	Vienna, Austria	1960
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)	Noumea, New Caledonia	1947
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)	Kathmandu, Nepal	1985
Unión Latina	Paris, France	1954
United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG)	Barcelona, Spain	2004
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)	Bangkok, Thailand	1947
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)	Beirut, Lebanon	1973
United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)	Nairobi, Kenya	1972
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)	Rome, Italy	1945
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR)	Geneva, Switzerland and New York City, USA	1993
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)	Vienna, Austria	1997
United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic	1975
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)	Geneva, Switzerland and New York City, USA	1991
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)	Amman, Jordan	1949
Western European Union (WEU)	Paris, France	1954
World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)	Geneva, Switzerland and New York City, USA	1946
World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)	Geneva, Switzerland	1985
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)	Gland, Switzerland	1961

List of International Organizations where India is Member

India’s membership in various international organisations plays an important role in its development and global standing. Although the United States has re-classified India from a developing nation to a developed one. These international organisations offer crucial aid, making it essential to acknowledge the key global bodies to which India belongs.

List of International Organizations where India is Member
International Organization	Headquarters	Year of Foundation
AALCO – Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization	New Delhi	1956
ADB – Asian Development Bank	Manila, Philippines	1956
AfDB – African Development Bank (non-regional members)	Tunis, Tunisia	1964
AG – Australia Group	Brussels, Belgium	1985
ASEAN Regional Forum – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations	Jakarta, Indonesia	1967
BIMSTEC – Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation	Dhaka, Bangladesh	1997
BIS – Bank for International Settlements	Basel, Switzerland	1930
BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa	Shanghai, China	2006
CoN – Commonwealth of Nations	London, UK	1931
CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research	Geneva, Switzerland	1954
CP – Colombo Plan	Colombo, Srilanka	1950
EAS – East Asia Summit	Colombo, Sri Lanka	1950
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations	Rome, Itlay	1945
G-15 – Group of 15	Geneva, Switzerland	1989
G-20 – Group of 20	Cancun, Mexico	1999
G-77 – Group of 77	New York	1964
IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency	Vienna, Austria	1957
IBRD – International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank)	Washington DC, US	1944
ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization	Montreal, Canada	1944
ICC – International Chamber of Commerce	Paris, France	1919
IDA – International Development Association	Washington DC	1950
IEA – International Energy Agency	Paris, France	1974
IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development	Rome, Italy	1977
IFC – International Finance Corporation	Washington DC, US	1956
ILO – International Labour Organization	Geneva, Switzerland	1919
IMF – International Monetary Fund	Washington DC, US	1945
IMO – International Maritime Organization	London, UK	1948
IMSO – International Mobile Satellite Organization	London, UK	1999
Interpol – International Criminal Police Organization	Lyon, France	1923
IOC – International Olympic Committee	Lausanne, Switzerland	1894
IPEEC – International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation	Paris, France	2009
ISO – International Organization for Standardization	Geneva, Switzerland	1947
ITSO – International Telecommunications Satellite Organization	Washington DC	1964
ITU – International Telecommunication Union	Geneva, Switzerland	1864
ITUC – International Trade Union Confederation (the successor to ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) and the WCL (World Confederation of Labour))	Brussels, Belgium	2006
MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime	Japan	1987
NAM – Non-Aligned Movement	Jakarta, Indonesia	1961
OPCW – Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons	Hague, Netherland	1997
PCA – Permanent Court of Arbitration	Hague, Netherland	1899
PIF – Pacific Islands Forum (partner)	Suva, Fiji	1971
SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation	Kathmandu, Nepal	1985
SACEP – South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme	Colombo, Sri Lanka	1982
SCO – Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (member)	Beijing, China	1996
UN – United Nations	New York	1945
UNAIDS – United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS	New York	1994
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation	London, Uk	1946
WHO- World Health Organization	Geneva, Switzerland	1948

International Organization and Their Headquarters Types

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs):

IGOs are formed through agreements between sovereign nations to address common global or regional concerns. They play a vital role in fostering international cooperation on matters such as health, development, trade, and security. Notable examples include the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World Trade Organization (WTO).

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

NGOs are independent, non-state entities that operate across borders to advocate for social, humanitarian, and environmental causes. Though not affiliated with governments, their influence in shaping policy and delivering aid is significant. Prominent examples include Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).

Regional Organizations:

These organizations focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties within a specific geographic area. They are designed to address regional challenges through dialogue and cooperation among member states. Examples include the European Union (EU), African Union (AU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

International Organization and Their Headquarters Characteristics

International Organizations are established through multilateral agreements among sovereign states, allowing member countries to collaborate on shared interests and global challenges. Participation is voluntary, and cooperation is based on mutually agreed principles.
While International Organizations promote collective decision-making, member states maintain their sovereign authority. Most decisions are made through consensus or voting systems to ensure fair representation and respect for each nation’s autonomy.
Each organization operates under clearly defined objectives and mandates, as outlined in its founding charter. These goals shape the organization’s strategies, programs, and areas of engagement.
Most international Organizations have permanent headquarters in key global cities. Their governance structures typically include bodies such as a General Assembly, Executive Council, Secretariat, and specialized agencies tailored to their operational needs.
International Organizations are funded through contributions from member states, as well as grants and voluntary donations. The financial contribution from each country is usually determined by its economic capacity or agreed-upon criteria.

International Organizations and Their Headquarters Roles

International Organizations such as the United Nations play a vital role in promoting peace and stability across the globe. Through peacekeeping missions, diplomatic interventions, and mediation efforts, they help manage and resolve political and armed conflicts.
In times of natural disasters, armed conflicts, or humanitarian crises, international bodies provide essential relief, including food, shelter, medical care, and logistical support, to affected populations.
Institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assist developing nations by offering financial aid, policy advice, and infrastructure development programs aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth.
Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) address cross-border health challenges and environmental concerns, promoting global public health standards and environmental sustainability.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and similar institutions work to streamline international trade, reduce barriers, and ensure fair and equitable trade practices among member countries.

Tricks to remember World Organisations and Their Headquarters

Memorising the names of World Organisations and Their Headquarters can be challenging, but we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find some simple tricks to help you recall them effortlessly.

Tricks to remember World Organisations and Their Headquarters
Headquarters	Organisations
The organisation which Starts with World and ends with Organization has its headquarters in Geneva	World Health Organisation
	World Meteorological Organization
	World Intellectual Property Organization
Organisations having money associated with them usually have Headquarters in Washington DC	International Monetary Fund (IMF)
	World Bank
Organisations connected to Industrial development, Petroleum, and atomic research have their headquarters in Vienna	United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
	International Atomic Energy Agency
	Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Organisations which are related to the Economy or Education usually have headquarters in Paris	International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
	United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
	Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)