Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary aim of establishing the United Nations?
What was the primary aim of establishing the United Nations?
Which of the following statements about the General Assembly is true?
Which of the following statements about the General Assembly is true?
How many permanent members are there in the UN Security Council?
How many permanent members are there in the UN Security Council?
What type of work does the UN primarily focus on?
What type of work does the UN primarily focus on?
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Which body of the UN is responsible for international peace and security?
Which body of the UN is responsible for international peace and security?
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How many specialist agencies does the United Nations have?
How many specialist agencies does the United Nations have?
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Which language is NOT one of the six official languages of the UN?
Which language is NOT one of the six official languages of the UN?
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What is the composition of the Security Council in terms of its members?
What is the composition of the Security Council in terms of its members?
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What is one of the main functions of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)?
What is one of the main functions of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)?
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Which major event replaced the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Which major event replaced the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
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What significant impact did the Uruguay Round have on trade agreements?
What significant impact did the Uruguay Round have on trade agreements?
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How frequently do central bankers of major industrial countries meet at the BIS?
How frequently do central bankers of major industrial countries meet at the BIS?
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What was a major issue during negotiations in the first seven rounds of GATT?
What was a major issue during negotiations in the first seven rounds of GATT?
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What was the primary goal of the Bretton Woods Agreement established in 1944?
What was the primary goal of the Bretton Woods Agreement established in 1944?
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Which of the following organizations was founded as a part of the Bretton Woods Agreement?
Which of the following organizations was founded as a part of the Bretton Woods Agreement?
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What was the fate of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971?
What was the fate of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971?
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What was the pegged value of the U.S. dollar to gold under the Bretton Woods Agreement?
What was the pegged value of the U.S. dollar to gold under the Bretton Woods Agreement?
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Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is associated with clean water and sanitation?
Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is associated with clean water and sanitation?
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What partnership does Unilever have to advance gender equality?
What partnership does Unilever have to advance gender equality?
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What was the initial purpose of the World Bank when it was founded in 1944?
What was the initial purpose of the World Bank when it was founded in 1944?
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Which of the following regions is Unilever aiming to help through its TRANSFORM initiative?
Which of the following regions is Unilever aiming to help through its TRANSFORM initiative?
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What is the primary goal of the World Bank Group?
What is the primary goal of the World Bank Group?
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Which World Bank Group institution is known for soft loans?
Which World Bank Group institution is known for soft loans?
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What type of loans is the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development primarily associated with?
What type of loans is the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development primarily associated with?
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Which agency was created to encourage foreign investment and provide guarantees against non-commercial risks?
Which agency was created to encourage foreign investment and provide guarantees against non-commercial risks?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of IDA soft loans?
Which of the following is a characteristic of IDA soft loans?
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What is a significant characteristic of the International Finance Corporation's role?
What is a significant characteristic of the International Finance Corporation's role?
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How does the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency assist foreign investors?
How does the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency assist foreign investors?
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What are hard loans described as?
What are hard loans described as?
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What was a major consequence of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis for many countries?
What was a major consequence of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis for many countries?
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How did the financial crisis impact investor behavior?
How did the financial crisis impact investor behavior?
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Which measures were taken by national governments in response to the financial crisis?
Which measures were taken by national governments in response to the financial crisis?
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What is a significant criticism of IMF conditionality?
What is a significant criticism of IMF conditionality?
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What is one potential negative effect of increased IMF involvement in global financial systems?
What is one potential negative effect of increased IMF involvement in global financial systems?
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Which country was mentioned as receiving a bailout from the IMF in August 2022?
Which country was mentioned as receiving a bailout from the IMF in August 2022?
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Which of the following factors is cited as contributing to defaults during the pandemic?
Which of the following factors is cited as contributing to defaults during the pandemic?
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What are the IMF's structural adjustments typically characterized by?
What are the IMF's structural adjustments typically characterized by?
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What is one of the key roles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)?
What is one of the key roles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)?
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As of July 2016, what percentage of world trade is represented by WTO members?
As of July 2016, what percentage of world trade is represented by WTO members?
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Which major achievement of the WTO in 1997 involved telecommunications?
Which major achievement of the WTO in 1997 involved telecommunications?
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What is a significant goal of the Doha Development Agenda?
What is a significant goal of the Doha Development Agenda?
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Which of the following statements about the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is true?
Which of the following statements about the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is true?
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Where is the headquarters of the OECD located?
Where is the headquarters of the OECD located?
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What percentage of the financial services market was opened by 102 countries in the 1997 WTO agreement?
What percentage of the financial services market was opened by 102 countries in the 1997 WTO agreement?
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Why has achieving an agreement on the Doha Development Agenda been challenging?
Why has achieving an agreement on the Doha Development Agenda been challenging?
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Study Notes
International Organisations
- The presentation covers various international organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Learning Objectives
- Students will learn the role and influence of international organizations.
- Understand the key activities of the United Nations.
- Explain the three major parts of the World Bank, including the International Monetary Fund.
- Understand the World Trade Organization.
- Learn about the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
United Nations
- The UN is a globally recognized organization.
- The UN Charter was signed in San Francisco, California in 1945.
- Ireland joined the UN in 1955.
- As of 2002, the UN had 193 member states.
- The UN's aim is to prevent future wars and provide a platform for nations to discuss and solve common problems.
- The UN maintains peace and security, upholding human rights and promoting sustainable development.
- The UN has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
- The UN's total income is 62 billion.
- UN work is carried out through five main bodies: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat.
- There are specialist UN agencies including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, UNESCO, and UNICEF.
General Assembly
- Provides a forum for multilateral discussion on international issues, including peace and security.
- All member nations in the UN are part of the General Assembly.
- Each nation has one vote, regardless of size, wealth, or power.
- General Assembly decisions are not legally binding.
- There's an annual meeting held in New York (as of last September 2024).
UN Security Council
- Maintains international peace and security.
- 97,000 uniformed personnel contributed by national armies (from 120 countries).
- Composed of 15 members: 5 permanent and 10 elected for 2-year terms.
- Permanent members: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States.
- Presidency is held by each member in alphabetical order for one month.
- Ireland has been a member three times.
- Each permanent member has veto power over any measure.
UN Security Council: Permanent and Non-Permanent Members
- List of permanent and non-permanent members, along with their terms of office.
- Security Council president is Brazil, for October 2023 and Switzerland for October 2024
UN Security Council: Presidency
- Presidency is held by each member in alphabetical order for one month.
- Ireland has been a member three times (past presidencies in 1962, 1981-82, and 2001-2002).
- The presidency was last held by Ireland in September 2021.
UN Security Council: Veto Power
- Each permanent member has the power to veto any measure.
- This power can impact the effectiveness of the Security Council.
UN Security Council Reform
- US president voices support for expanding the Security Council.
The Secretariat
- Carries out day-to-day administrative functions for the UN headquartered in New York City.
- Supports other UN organs, administering UN programs and policies.
- Current/New Secretary General is Antonio Guterres (from Portugal), since October 2016, and started his 2nd term in January 2022, lasting until December 2026.
The International Court of Justice
- Also known as the "World Court".
- Only nations can be parties in legal proceedings.
- Made up of 15 judges coming from 15 different countries.
- Judges serve nine-year terms.
- The only principal body of the UN not located in New York; it is situated in The Hague.
The Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Involved in economic issues like trade, transport, industrialization, and development, as well as social issues.
- Responsible for 70% of UN system human and financial resources, including 14 specialized agencies, 9 functional commissions, and 5 regional commissions.
- Makes recommendations to improve educational and healthcare conditions.
- Promotes human rights and freedoms.
United Nations Role in Global Climate Action
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aims to prevent "dangerous" human interference with the climate system.
Kyoto Protocol
- Adopted in 1997 and came into effect in 2005.
- Aimed at limiting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Set individual targets for industrialized countries and economies in transition.
- Designed to avoid the rising costs of carbon dioxide emissions.
- The USA withdrew from the protocol in 2001.
Paris Climate Agreement (2015)
- A legally binding international treaty on climate change.
- Adopted by 196 parties in December 2015 in Paris, and came into force in November 2016.
- Has a 5-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action, carried out by countries.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- A set of global development targets agreed by the UN in 2015 to achieve a more sustainable future for all by 2030.
- The 17 goals are interconnected, addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.
- SDGs 1 & 5 represent dignity, SDGs 2, 3 & 4 represent people, SDGs 6 and 12–15 represent planet, SDGs 7–11 represent prosperity, SDG 16 represents justice, and SDG 17 represents partnership with other business.
MNE's Commitment to SDGs: Coca-Cola & Unilever
- Coca-Cola and Unilever prioritize SDGs related to gender equity, clean water, sanitation, economic growth, consumption, life below water, and partnerships for the goals.
World Bank
- Founded in 1944 as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- Originally focused on rebuilding war-torn countries, it now primarily focuses on development, emphasizing infrastructure projects.
- Offers hard and soft loans, with hard loans tied to market interest rates and maturity periods only to sound borrowers.
- The World Bank (IBRD) is the largest provider of development assistance globally.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- A World Bank Group investment bank, focused exclusively on private sector risk ventures in developing countries.
- Aims to encourage economic development by fostering the growth of productive enterprises.
International Development Association (IDA)
- The soft loan section of the World Bank.
- Provides loans with flexible 40-year maturity periods to the poorest countries.
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
- Created in 1988 to encourage foreign investment.
- Provides capacity-building, advisory services, and guarantees to foreign investors against losses from non-commercial risks in developing countries.
The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
- A multilateral treaty, formulated by the World Bank’s Executive Directors.
- Provides a forum for conciliation and arbitration of international investment disputes.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- A multilateral organization promoting international monetary cooperation.
- Provides temporary financial assistance to countries facing balance-of-payments problems.
- Has three primary activities: monitoring the global economy, delivering technical assistance and financial support to developing countries.
IMF's Role in the 2008 Global Financial Crisis
- The 2008 crisis saw governments, the IMF, and World Bank injecting large sums into national economies as a corrective measure for the crisis, and some countries imposed trade and investment barriers.
The IMF's Conditionality
- IMF lending is often conditional, imposing requirements for countries seeking assistance— such as belt-tightening and reforms.
- Disagreements and debates have arisen over the pros and cons of IMF conditionality.
IMF Lending (2000-2022)
- There have been notable increases in IMF lending in recent years to developing countries as a response to global financial crises.
- Examples include Zambia, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon, which defaulted in the pandemic.
Evaluating the IMF's Policy
- Conditions of IMF loans often include "one size fits all" approaches, demanding reforms in countries whether necessary or not.
- Moral hazard cases are common when the IMF ensures that countries are saved if things go wrong despite reckless behaviors, leading to questions around the IMF's power and influence.
Bank of International Settlements (BIS)
- Founded in 1930, the BIS is a discreet institution overseeing global financial system discussions among central banks of major countries.
- Provides a platform for central banks to collaborate on measures to promote monetary and financial stability, conduct research and provides services related to international finance, such as acting as banker for central banks.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
- A global organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Its goal is to steer trade in a smoother, freer direction by lowering trade impediments and outlining trade regulations globally.
General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and Uruguay Round
- GATT was replaced by the WTO and its core agenda was the reduction of tariffs among industrial countries.
- Uruguay round was the most encompassing trade agreement that shaped the WTO.
Doha Round
- A round of WTO negotiations initiated in Doha from 2001, aimed to simplify agricultural subsidies globally, reduce tariffs on specific goods and free up trade in services.
OECD
- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development was created based on the Marshall Plan during WW2. It comprises the world’s developed countries and provides information on economic activities and a setting for discussions on economic and social policy.
- The OECD conducts research, provides information, and aids international cooperation among its member countries, including Ireland, with regard to economic and social policy.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the United Nations and its various bodies, including the General Assembly and Security Council. This quiz covers key facts, functions, and historical agreements related to international cooperation. Challenge yourself and learn more about global governance!