Top 10 Global Cities

Study Notes

Global Cities

New York City, USA: Financial Capital of the World, also known as the "Big Apple"
London, UK: Financial and Cultural Center of Europe
Tokyo, Japan: Technological and Cultural Capital of Asia
Paris, France: Cultural Metropolis
Hong Kong, China: Asia's Financial Center
Singapore: South East Asia Financial and Economic Hub
Los Angeles, USA: Entertainment & Innovation Capital
Shanghai, China: Political & Cultural Capital
Chicago, USA: Political & Transportation Hub of the Midwest
Beijing, China: Political & Cultural Capital of China
Seoul, Korea: Cultural Center of East Asia
Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Philippines: Global City
Clark, Philippines: Global City, 9,000 hectares

International Organizations

United Nations

Formed in 1945 after World War II
Main objective: maintain peace in the world
Organs of UN:
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- International Court of Justice
- Trusteeship Council
- Secretariat
Big 5: USA, Britain, France, Russia, China

Sub-Agencies of UN

UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
UNICEF (International Civil Aviation Organization)
ILO (International Labor Organization)
WHO (World Health Organization)

Trade Organizations

GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade): failed due to lack of protection for IP rights and failure to punish irregularities
WTO (World Trade Organization): replaced GATT
Tariff: tax imposed on imported products
Subsidy: direct payment made by the government to companies to purchase imported products
Quota: number of limits of imported products and services
Excise tax: taxation primarily to raise revenue for the government

Regional Organizations

ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)
- Member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
- 5 Pioneer countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore
EU (European Union)
- 27 member states
- United Kingdom: former member state that separated from the Union
- Lisbon treaty: international agreement that amends the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the EU
- Eurozone: economic and geographic region consisting of all EU countries that use the Euro as their official currency
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Corporation)
- 8 member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
GCC (Gulf Corporation Country)
- Also known as Arab State of the Gulf
- Member states: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman
Arab League
- Member states: Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)
- Member states: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela
- Non-OPEC members: Russia, China, Norway (competitors of OPEC)

Other Organizations

LAFTA (Latin American Free Trade Agreement)
- Montevideo Treaty
- Failure: agricultural and service tariffs not included in free trade

Description

Explore the world's most influential cities, known for their financial, cultural, and technological significance. From New York to Tokyo, and Paris to Shanghai, discover the characteristics that make them global hubs.