UN, WHO, IMF & World Bank
International Relations · UN, WHO, IMF और विश्व बैंक
📋Quick Overview
The post-World War II international order created a network of multilateral institutions that continue to shape global governance. The United Nations (1945) is the foremost forum for peace and security. Its specialised agencies — WHO (health), IMF (finance), World Bank (development), WTO (trade) — govern critical aspects of international life. India is an active member of all these bodies and has significant stakes in their governance and reform.
⭐
India has been elected to the UN Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member 8 times (latest: 2021-22). India is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions historically and has been campaigning for a permanent UNSC seat.
📖Major International Organisations — Key Facts
| Organisation | Founded | HQ | Head (current) | Members | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN (United Nations) | Oct 24, 1945 | New York, USA | Secretary-General: António Guterres (Portugal, since 2017) | 193 member states | Peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, development |
| WHO (World Health Organisation) | April 7, 1948 (World Health Day) | Geneva, Switzerland | Director-General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia, since 2017) | 194 members | International public health; 'Health for All' |
| IMF (International Monetary Fund) | 1944 (Bretton Woods Conference) | Washington D.C., USA | MD: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria, since 2019) | 190 members | Financial stability, exchange rates, balance of payments |
| World Bank Group | 1944 (Bretton Woods) | Washington D.C., USA | President: Ajay Banga (Indian-American, since June 2023) | 189 members | Development loans; poverty reduction; comprises IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID |
| WTO (World Trade Organisation) | Jan 1, 1995 (replaced GATT 1947) | Geneva, Switzerland | DG: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria, since 2021 — first woman, first African DG) | 166 members | International trade rules; dispute resolution; reduce trade barriers |
📖UN Security Council & India's Reform Demand
- •UNSC: 5 permanent (P5): USA, UK, France, Russia, China; 10 non-permanent (elected by UNGA for 2-year terms)
- •Veto Power: P5 members have veto — any one of 5 can block any resolution
- •India's UNSC non-permanent membership: 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12, 2021-22 — 8 times
- •India demands permanent UNSC seat — part of G4 (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan) campaign for UNSC reform
- •China has blocked India's NSG membership and UNSC bid — key friction in India-China relations
- •UN has 6 official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish (Hindi is NOT an official UN language)