🌐 List of UNO Agencies and Their Full Details
🏛️ Introduction
The United Nations Organization (UNO) was established on 24 October 1945 after World War II, with the aim of maintaining international peace and security, promoting social progress, and fostering cooperation among nations.
To achieve its wide-ranging objectives, the UN operates through a network of specialized agencies, programs, and related organizations.
These agencies work independently but are linked to the UN through cooperative agreements. Each agency focuses on a specific area such as health, education, culture, agriculture, or finance.
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📘 Major Specialized Agencies of the United Nations
Below is a list of the principal UN specialized agencies and their headquarters, year of establishment, and functions:
Agency Name (Abbreviation) Full Name Headquarters Founded Main Function / Purpose
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization Rome, Italy 1945 To improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
WHO World Health Organization Geneva, Switzerland 1948 To promote global health and fight diseases.
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Paris, France 1945 To promote education, culture, and science worldwide.
ILO International Labour Organization Geneva, Switzerland 1919 (became UN agency in 1946) To promote fair working conditions, labor rights, and social justice.
IMF International Monetary Fund Washington D.C., USA 1945 To stabilize international monetary cooperation and financial systems.
IBRD (World Bank) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Washington D.C., USA 1944 To provide loans for development projects in developing countries.
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization Montreal, Canada 1944 To set international standards for air navigation and safety.
IMO International Maritime Organization London, UK 1958 To ensure safe, secure, and efficient shipping on the seas.
UPU Universal Postal Union Bern, Switzerland 1874 To promote international postal cooperation and uniformity.
ITU International Telecommunication Union Geneva, Switzerland 1865 To promote international cooperation in telecommunication and information technology.
WMO World Meteorological Organization Geneva, Switzerland 1950 To promote cooperation in weather, climate, and hydrology.
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development Rome, Italy 1977 To finance agricultural development projects for poverty reduction.
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization Vienna, Austria 1966 To promote industrial growth and development in developing countries.
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna, Austria 1957 To promote peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent nuclear proliferation.
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization Geneva, Switzerland 1967 To protect intellectual property rights worldwide.
UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization Madrid, Spain 1975 To promote sustainable and responsible tourism development.
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🏢 Other Important UN-Related Bodies and Programs
Body / Program Full Name Headquarters Main Function
UNDP United Nations Development Programme New York, USA Works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities.
UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund New York, USA Protects the rights and welfare of children globally.
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Geneva, Switzerland Protects and supports refugees worldwide.
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi, Kenya Deals with environmental issues and sustainable development.
UNFPA United Nations Population Fund New York, USA Focuses on reproductive health and population issues.
WFP World Food Programme Rome, Italy Provides food aid in emergencies and combats hunger.
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Geneva, Switzerland Promotes fair trade and economic development.
UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women New York, USA Works for women’s rights and gender equality.
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🌍 Main Organs of the United Nations
Besides the specialized agencies, the UN also operates through six principal organs:
1. General Assembly – Main deliberative body with representatives from all member nations.
2. Security Council – Responsible for maintaining peace and security.
3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Coordinates economic and social activities of UN agencies.
4. International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Settles legal disputes between states.
5. Trusteeship Council – Manages trust territories (inactive now).
6. Secretariat – Administrative body headed by the UN Secretary-General.
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📚 Summary
The UNO functions through a network of agencies each specializing in a global issue.
These agencies work collaboratively to achieve the UN’s main goals — peace, development, human rights, and cooperation.
The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNESCO, and FAO are among the most prominent.
“Complete List of UNO Agencies and Their Functions”
“United Nations Specialized Agencies: Full Details & Headquarters”
“Know All About UN Agencies Working Around the World”
50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers on UNO (United Nations Organization) and Its Specialized Agencies.
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🏛️ 50 MCQs on UNO and Its Agencies (With Answers)
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1. When was the United Nations Organization (UNO) established?
A) 1919
B) 1939
C) 1945
D) 1950
Answer: ✅ C) 1945
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2. The headquarters of the United Nations is located in:
A) Geneva
B) Paris
C) New York
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ C) New York
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3. How many official languages does the UN have?
A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
Answer: ✅ C) 6
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4. The UN Charter was signed at:
A) Geneva
B) San Francisco
C) London
D) New York
Answer: ✅ B) San Francisco
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5. The primary objective of the UNO is:
A) Economic cooperation
B) Maintain international peace and security
C) To collect taxes
D) To control trade
Answer: ✅ B) Maintain international peace and security
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6. The principal judicial organ of the UNO is:
A) Security Council
B) General Assembly
C) International Court of Justice
D) Secretariat
Answer: ✅ C) International Court of Justice
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7. The headquarters of International Court of Justice is in:
A) New York
B) Paris
C) The Hague
D) Geneva
Answer: ✅ C) The Hague
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8. The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) is in:
A) Paris
B) Geneva
C) Washington
D) London
Answer: ✅ B) Geneva
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9. Which UN agency deals with education, science, and culture?
A) FAO
B) UNESCO
C) UNDP
D) UNCTAD
Answer: ✅ B) UNESCO
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10. The full form of FAO is:
A) Food and Agricultural Office
B) Food and Agriculture Organization
C) Farming Aid Organization
D) Food Action Organization
Answer: ✅ B) Food and Agriculture Organization
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11. FAO is headquartered in:
A) Geneva
B) Rome
C) Paris
D) New York
Answer: ✅ B) Rome
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12. WHO was established in:
A) 1945
B) 1947
C) 1948
D) 1950
Answer: ✅ C) 1948
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13. The headquarters of UNESCO is in:
A) Rome
B) Geneva
C) Paris
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ C) Paris
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14. The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in:
A) 1919
B) 1945
C) 1950
D) 1960
Answer: ✅ A) 1919
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15. The ILO became a specialized agency of the UN in:
A) 1939
B) 1945
C) 1946
D) 1952
Answer: ✅ C) 1946
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16. The headquarters of ILO is located at:
A) Rome
B) Geneva
C) London
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ B) Geneva
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17. IMF stands for:
A) International Money Forum
B) International Monetary Fund
C) International Market Federation
D) International Monetary Forum
Answer: ✅ B) International Monetary Fund
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18. The headquarters of IMF is in:
A) London
B) New York
C) Washington D.C.
D) Paris
Answer: ✅ C) Washington D.C.
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19. The World Bank is also known as:
A) IBRD
B) IDA
C) IMF
D) WTO
Answer: ✅ A) IBRD
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20. The World Bank and IMF were formed at which conference?
A) Paris Conference
B) Geneva Conference
C) Bretton Woods Conference
D) San Francisco Conference
Answer: ✅ C) Bretton Woods Conference
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21. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is located in:
A) Montreal
B) Geneva
C) Paris
D) London
Answer: ✅ A) Montreal
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22. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is located in:
A) London
B) Rome
C) Paris
D) Geneva
Answer: ✅ A) London
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23. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was founded in:
A) 1865
B) 1874
C) 1888
D) 1900
Answer: ✅ B) 1874
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24. Headquarters of UPU is located at:
A) Geneva
B) Bern
C) Rome
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ B) Bern
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25. ITU stands for:
A) International Trade Union
B) International Telecommunication Union
C) International Transport Union
D) Intergovernmental Trade Union
Answer: ✅ B) International Telecommunication Union
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26. WMO stands for:
A) World Monetary Organization
B) World Meteorological Organization
C) World Medical Organization
D) World Maritime Organization
Answer: ✅ B) World Meteorological Organization
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27. The headquarters of WMO is in:
A) Geneva
B) Paris
C) Rome
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ A) Geneva
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28. IFAD deals with:
A) Industrial Development
B) Agricultural Development
C) Trade and Finance
D) Education
Answer: ✅ B) Agricultural Development
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29. Headquarters of IFAD is in:
A) Rome
B) Geneva
C) Vienna
D) New York
Answer: ✅ A) Rome
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30. UNIDO stands for:
A) United Nations Industrial Development Organization
B) United Nations International Development Office
C) United Nations Internal Development Organization
D) United Nations Infrastructure Division Office
Answer: ✅ A) United Nations Industrial Development Organization
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31. UNIDO headquarters is in:
A) Geneva
B) Rome
C) Vienna
D) Paris
Answer: ✅ C) Vienna
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32. IAEA promotes:
A) Atomic weapons
B) Peaceful use of nuclear energy
C) Mining of uranium
D) Military nuclear programs
Answer: ✅ B) Peaceful use of nuclear energy
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33. The headquarters of IAEA is in:
A) Paris
B) Vienna
C) London
D) Washington D.C.
Answer: ✅ B) Vienna
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34. WIPO stands for:
A) World Industrial Property Organization
B) World Intellectual Property Organization
C) World Investment Policy Organization
D) World International Patent Office
Answer: ✅ B) World Intellectual Property Organization
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35. Headquarters of WIPO is in:
A) Paris
B) Geneva
C) Vienna
D) London
Answer: ✅ B) Geneva
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36. UNWTO promotes:
A) World Trade
B) Tourism
C) Transportation
D) Education
Answer: ✅ B) Tourism
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37. Headquarters of UNWTO is in:
A) Madrid
B) Geneva
C) Paris
D) Vienna
Answer: ✅ A) Madrid
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38. UNDP works mainly for:
A) Labor laws
B) Education
C) Poverty eradication and development
D) Tourism promotion
Answer: ✅ C) Poverty eradication and development
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39. UNICEF works for:
A) Education for adults
B) Child welfare and health
C) Labor welfare
D) Tourism development
Answer: ✅ B) Child welfare and health
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40. Headquarters of UNICEF is in:
A) Paris
B) New York
C) Geneva
D) Rome
Answer: ✅ B) New York
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41. UNHCR stands for:
A) United Nations Human Rights Council
B) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
C) United Nations Humanitarian Relief Committee
D) United Nations Health Care Response
Answer: ✅ B) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
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42. Headquarters of UNHCR is in:
A) Paris
B) Geneva
C) Rome
D) New York
Answer: ✅ B) Geneva
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43. UNEP is concerned with:
A) Trade
B) Environment
C) Health
D) Tourism
Answer: ✅ B) Environment
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44. Headquarters of UNEP is located at:
A) New York
B) Nairobi
C) Rome
D) Paris
Answer: ✅ B) Nairobi
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45. UNFPA focuses on:
A) Population and Reproductive Health
B) Food Security
C) Education
D) Labour Rights
Answer: ✅ A) Population and Reproductive Health
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46. WFP stands for:
A) World Financial Program
B) World Food Programme
C) World Fund for Peace
D) World Fertilizer Program
Answer: ✅ B) World Food Programme
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47. Headquarters of WFP is in:
A) Geneva
B) Rome
C) Vienna
D) New York
Answer: ✅ B) Rome
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48. UNCTAD promotes:
A) Education
B) Trade and Development
C) Peacekeeping
D) Human Rights
Answer: ✅ B) Trade and Development
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49. UN Women works for:
A) Women empowerment and gender equality
B) Tourism promotion
C) Environmental protection
D) Child education
Answer: ✅ A) Women empowerment and gender equality
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50. The total number of specialized agencies under the UN is:
A) 10
B) 12
C) 15
D) 17
Answer: ✅ D) 17
📚 Summary
These MCQs cover all major UN agencies, their headquarters, full forms, and objectives, useful for: Competitive exams (SSC, UPSC, JKSSB).
