Most Powerful Organizations in the World
United Nations Organisation
- The UN was formed for peace keeping after the consequences of Second World War, with the aim of preventing future conflicts.
- It was formed as a successor to unsuccessful League of Nations.
- The council of 50 governments held a meeting at San Francisco on 25th April 1945, and signed the UN Charter.
- The charter was approved on 25th June 1945 and came into effect from 24th October 1945.
- According to Charter, the objectives of United Nations include maintaining peace and security globally, safeguarding human rights, promoting fast development, and keeping international laws.
- Initially, UN had only 51 member states; it grew to 193 sovereign states in 2011.
Common Wealth
- Common Wealth is the only society other than United Nations Organisation, which has developed and developing nations around the world. Majority of the members were earlier colonies of Britain.
- The headquarters of Common Wealth is Marlborough House of London.
- British King/ Queen is the main leader of Common Wealth.
- The meeting of leaders of Common Wealth government was conducted once between two years.
- In 1931, at Westminster, in the name of ‘British Commonwealth of Nations’, the society is instituted.
- Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC was the current secretary general of Commonwealth.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- The decision of formation of NAM was made in the meeting held under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister - Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President – Colonel Nasser and Yugoslavian president – Marshal Tito at Bandung of Java State of Indonesia in 1955.
- NAM, which is the society of third world countries was formed in 1961, which is based on Panchsheel Principles.
- The first meeting of NAM was held in Belgrade of Yugoslavia.
- Africa Fund Committee formed in 1987 is the society related to NAM
- The lastly joined countries of NAM are East Timor and St Vincent Grenadines.
SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation)
- SAARC is the society formed by seven countries of South Asia for improving the contribution towards Social – Cultural Sectors through inter related co-operation. Currently there are eight member nations (including Afghanistan).
- SAARC was formed in the meeting held in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka in December 1985.
- The permanent headquarters of SAARC is located in Kathmandu of Nepal.
- The member nations of SAARC were Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri lanka and Afghanistan.
- Zia Ur Rehman (1979) is the Bangladesh president who brought the idea ‘SAARC’ for first time.
- The biggest regional society based on population is SAARC.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
- NATO is the western nations alliance formed during cold war.
- The organization was formed in 1949 April 4 in Washington. It currently has 30 member nations.
- The headquarters of NATO is located in Belgium Capital, Brussels.
- The Golden Jubilee of formation of NATO was celebrated in 1999.
- The NATO army was appointed in Kabul (Afghanistan) for first time for the formation of peace after the Second World War.
European Union
- European Union were formed by almost all countries of Western Europe. European Union got its name after the Maastricht Treaty of 1991.
- Euro is the general currency of European Union. Euro came into existence in January 1, 1999, which started its exchange in 2002 January 1.
- Same Currency for member Nations, United Market, General Aboard Policy, General Agricultural – Fisheries Policy were the specialties of European Union.
- The European Central Bank with its headquarters at Frankfurt of Germany has the power to release Euro.
- The number of members in European Union is 27. The location of headquarters of society is Brussels of Belgium.
- The lastly joined countries of European Union were Romania and Bulgaria and it was in 2007 January 1.
- The member countries of European Union, which does not accept Euro Currency, were Britain, Sweden and Denmark.
ASEAN
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed at Bangkok on 1967 August 8.
- The head quarters of ASEAN, which has ten member nations is located at Indonesian Capital, Jakarta.
- APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is the economic alliance of ASEAN members.
OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
- OPEC is the society formed in 1960 for controlling the price and production of Crude Oil.
- The headquarters of OPEC is located at Vienna of Austria.
- Currently there are 12 member nations in OPEC – Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela etc.
- Indonesia is the country which withdrawn from OPEC in 2008.
Red Cross
- Red Cross is the society formed under the leadership of Henry Dunant in 1863 with the aim of helping the victims of war.
- The head quarters of Society is located at Geneva.
- March 8 is celebrated as World Red Cross Day every year.
- The Geneva Convention for the victims of war prisoners was formed under the influence of Red Cross.
- Indian Red Cross Society came into existence in 1920.
- Due to pressure from Ottoman Empire in 1906, the name of Red Cross is used by Muslim countries as Red Crescent.
- The first peace Nobel prize of 1901 was for the establisher of Red Cross, Dunant.
- Red Cross got Nobel prize for peace in the years 1917, 1944 and 1963.
- The new symbol of Red Cross is Red Crystal.
INTERPOL
- The society INTERPOL, which formed in 1923 is for confirming the maximum co-operation among the countries against the criminal activities except Political – Army – Religion – Racial problems.
- The headquarters of INTERPOL is located at Lyon of France.
- It was CBI, who represents INTERPOL in India.
Amnesty International
- Amnesty International is the society formed by the British Advocate Peter Benenson in 1961.
- The head quarters of Amnesty International is located at London.
- The society got Nobel Prize for peace in 1977.
Scouts and Guides
- Scouts and Guides is the society established by Robert SS Baden Powell for youths in 1907.
- Character Formation, Sincerity towards Nation and Social Service were the main aims of Society.
- World Scouts Bureau is located at Geneva.
- The slogan of Society is “Be Prepared”.
- Guides Movement is the society formed for girls by Baden Powell and his sister Agnes in 1910.
ADB (Asian Development Bank)
- The Economic development of Asian countries is the main aim of Asian Development Bank established in 1966 with the help of America and Japan.
- The headquarters of ADB which gives money to member countries with conditions is located at Manila of Philippines.
- ADB Asian Development Fund was started in 1974.
G – 8
- G – 8 is the society formed by eight wealthy countries of world.
- It was during the summit at Denver in 1997, by including the Russia, G – 8 is formed.
- America, Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, Germany and Russia were the member countries of G– 8.
G – 77
- G – 77 is the society formed for protecting the Trade – Economic interests of Third World Poverty nations according to the advice from United Nations Organisation in 1964.
- Currently there are 132 countries in Society, G – 77. India is also a member.
G – 15
- G – 15 is the economic society, formed by Under development countries in 1989.
- G – 15 has 17 member nations including India.
African Union
- In 1963 May 25, a society called Organisation of African Unity is formed. It is named to African Union after the summit held in 2001 Durban.
- The Society which has 55 member nations has its headquarters at Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
BRICS
- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were the countries joined to form the association.