THE UNITED NATIONS FAMILY 41
The United Nations: a family of specialized entities There are 15 specialized agencies and 24 programmes, funds and other bodies with specific responsibilities all related to the United Nations. These programmes and bodies, together with the United Nations itself, compose the United Nations System. The various entities belonging to the United Nations System are listed below by type of organization, and in alphabetical order within each type.
Agencies Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) The Food and Agriculture Organization works to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and to raise levels of nutrition. It also assists Member States in the sustainable development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, helping them move towards achieving food security. Combating hunger and malnutrition has important indirect effects on children, such as reducing child labour, allowing them to attend school and improving their health.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) The International Civil Aviation Organization assures the safe, secure, orderly and sustainable development of international air transport while minimizing the adverse effect of global civil aviation on the environment. In an effort to combat child trafficking, it recommends that all countries require a separate passport for each child.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) The International Fund for Agricultural Development is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Some 75 per cent of the world’s poorest people—that is, one billion women, children and men—live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihoods. IFAD invests in agriculture and rural development projects that reach poor, marginalized and vulnerable people in rural areas and helps create the conditions they need to improve their lives.
International Labour Organization (ILO) The International Labour Organization formulates policies and programmes to promote the basic human rights of workers, improve working and living conditions and enhance employment opportunities. It also leads efforts to eradicate child labour worldwide.