Various criteria can be applied to classify international organizations.

· By nature of membership they are divided into interstate and non-governmental.

· By circle of participants interstate organizations are divided into universal, open to the participation of all states of the world (UN, its specialized agencies), and regional, whose members can be states of one region (Organization of African Unity. Organization of American States).

Interstate organizations are also subdivided into organizations general and special competence. The activities of organizations of general competence affect all spheres of relations between member states: political, economic, social, cultural, etc. (for example, the UN, OAU, OAS). Organizations of special competence are limited to cooperation in one special area (for example, the Universal Postal Union, the International Labor Organization, etc.) and can be divided into political, economic, social, cultural, scientific, religious, etc.

Classification by nature of powers allows you to distinguish between interstate and supranational or, more precisely, supranational organizations. The first group includes the vast majority of international organizations whose purpose is to organize interstate cooperation and whose decisions are addressed to member states. The goal of supranational organizations is integration. Their decisions apply directly to citizens and legal entities member states. Some elements of supranationality in this sense are inherent in the European Union (EU).

· From point of view order of entry in them, organizations are divided into open (any state can become a member at its own discretion) and closed (admission to membership is carried out at the invitation of the original founders). An example of a closed organization is NATO.

Modern international organizations.

international organization is considered a permanent association that is created on the basis of an agreement international character. The purpose of the association is to contribute to the solution of those problems that are stipulated in the agreement. International organizations there are interstate character - operating at the level of governments of states, and non-governmental character. There are also international organizations of a global and regional character. There are also classifications by type of activity, by the nature of authority, by circle of participants, international clubs, etc.

World trade Organization(WTO). It is an organization of global importance. Founded in 1995. The goal is to streamline the rules of international trade. In 2008, the WTO had 153 member countries. The headquarters is located in Geneva (Switzerland). The WTO was created on the basis of GATT (general agreement on tariffs and trade). According to the charter, the WTO can only regulate trade and economic issues.

World Foundation wildlife conservation. Public international organization. Founded in 1961. Works in all directions that relate to conservation, research and restoration environment. The headquarters is located in Gland (Switzerland).

Greenpeace. The organization was founded in 1971. It is an independent public organization. The goal is to preserve the environment, solve global environmental issues. Greenpeace principles do not allow accepting financial assistance at the state and political level. The organization exists on donations from supporters. Headquarters in Vancouver (Canada).

European Union(EU). The Organization of European States, established in 1993 on the basis of three organizations, two of which are still part of it - the EEC (European Economic Community - now the European Community), ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community - ceased to exist in 2002), Euratom ( European Atomic Energy Community). This is a unique organization that is a cross between an international organization and a state. It has Common Market, the common monetary system, etc. The scope of activity concerns many areas - economics, politics, currency, labor market, etc. In 2007, the EU included 27 states.

League of Arab States (LAS). The organization was founded in 1945. The goal is to unite Arab and friendly states for cooperation in different areas including those related to defense. The headquarters is located in Cairo (Egypt). The structure includes more than 20 states, including the state of Palestine, which is not recognized by the entire world community.

international movement Red Cross and Red Crescent (International Red Cross). Non-governmental organization. It is a humanitarian movement with over 100 million employees and volunteers around the world. The main goal of the movement is literally "To help all those who suffer without any unfavorable distinction, thereby contributing to the establishment of peace on Earth." Consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross (headquartered in Geneva), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The organization was created on the basis of the Red Cross Society, known since 1863 and later renamed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). The current charter was adopted in 1956. Interpol was created on the basis international center registration of criminals (1923). The activities of the organization are carried out in the field of combating common crime (search for missing values, criminals, missing people, etc.), it does not in any way relate to other areas (politics, economics, defense, etc.), although in order to investigate crimes, the organization can use information about these areas. In terms of the number of member countries, Interpol is in second place after the UN - at the beginning of 2009, 186 states. The headquarters is located in Lyon (France).

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). International Islamic Organization. Created in 1969. The goal is cooperation between Muslim states in various fields, joint participation in activities in the international arena, and the achievement of stable development of the participating countries. The headquarters is located in Jeddah ( Saudi Arabia). At the beginning of 2009, the membership consisted of 57 states.

United Nations (UN). Interstate organization established in 1945 by the countries anti-Hitler coalition. The purpose of the organization is to maintain peace between states, strengthen peace, develop and secure international relations, develop international cooperation in various fields. The UN consists of six main organs (the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat, International Court and Trusteeship Council). There are many different structural divisions of the UN and various organizations working under the auspices of the UN in various fields international activities. The headquarters of most of the main divisions of the UN is located in New York (USA), but there are also branches in different parts peace. As of 2007, the UN had 192 member states. It is the largest international organization.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Exists since 1975. It is the largest regional organization in the world that deals with security issues. The goal is to prevent and resolve conflicts in the region, to eliminate the consequences of conflicts. In 2008, the OSCE united 56 states that are located not only in Europe, but also in Central Asia and North America.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Is international union military-political direction. Created in 1949 on the initiative of the United States. The main goal is the security and freedom of all member countries in accordance with the principles of the UN, both in North America and in Europe. To achieve its goals, NATO uses military potential and political influence. The headquarters is located in Brussels (Belgium). In 2009, NATO included 28 states.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Organization of the intergovernmental level, created in 1960 at the initiative of Venezuela. The goal is to control the world oil policy, stabilize oil prices. OPEC sets limits on oil production. The headquarters is located in Vienna (Austria). In 2009, OPEC included 12 countries.

Council of Europe (CE). Regional European organization of political orientation. Created in 1949. The goal is to build a united Europe. At the beginning of 2009, there were 48 countries in the membership. The headquarters is located in Strasbourg (France, on the border with Germany).

Commonwealth of Nations ( British Commonwealth Nations). Officially established in 1931. The composition includes Great Britain and almost all of its former colonies and dominions. Some constituent states recognize the Queen of Great Britain as head of state. The headquarters is located in London. The goal is voluntary cooperation in many areas, the main of which is economic.

Commonwealth Independent States(CIS). The organization was founded in 1991 by the former republics of the USSR. The main goals are cooperation in the political, economic, environmental, humanitarian, cultural and other fields, including the creation of a common economic space. The permanent body of the CIS - the CIS Executive Committee is located in Minsk (Belarus). The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly is located in St. Petersburg (Russia). IN this moment The liveliest interest in the activities of the CIS is shown by Mongolia and Afghanistan, which have the status of observers.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC- the world's largest economic association, whose members account for about 60% of world GDP and about half of world trade. The goals of the organization are to strengthen cooperation between the countries of the Pacific region and ensure conditions for free open trade in it. APEC was formed in 1989 in Canberra at the initiative of the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand. Initially, meetings at the level of ministers were the supreme body of the Cooperation, but later meetings of leaders of states began to be held. Since the organization includes not only countries, but also territories (Hong Kong and Taiwan), its members are usually called "APEC economies".

Big Eight called the 8 most industrial developed countries world (they account for about 60% of world GDP). The G8 is not an official international organization, its decisions have no legal force, but, nevertheless, the annual summit of the leaders of the G8 countries is one of the most important political events. The term "Big Seven" itself appeared in Russian due to an incorrect interpretation of the abbreviation "G7": instead of "Group of Seven" ("Group of Seven"), journalists deciphered it as "Great Seven" ("Big Seven").

The first meeting of leaders of industrial countries took place in 1975 (without the participation of Canada) and subsequently such meetings became regular. In 1992, Russia joined the participating countries, after which the Seven turned into the Eight.

Questions and tasks:

1. Define the term "international organization".

2. When and why did the first international organizations appear.

3. Write down in your notebook the classification of international organizations.

4. Fill in the table "Modern international organizations"

In the conditions of world globalization, integration of economies, unification of legislation and blurring of borders between countries, it is no longer possible to make decisions alone. It is necessary to agree on intentions for various issues with the rest of the world community. Along with states, international organizations are important members of world politics. Conflicts between groups of people and countries, terrorist groups, climate change, geopolitics, development of the Arctic shelf, disappearance rare species animals is far from full list issues that require their participation. To resist the new challenges of our time is possible only by joint efforts.

Definition

The international organization is a voluntary union of member states created for cooperation in the fields of economy, politics, culture, ecology, and security. All their activities are based on international treaties. The nature of interaction can be both interstate and non-state, at the level public associations.

signs

At the heart of any international organization are at least six main features:

• Any organization must be established and operate in accordance with international standards of law. Usually, when creating such an association, all member states sign international convention, a protocol or agreement that guarantees the fulfillment of all obligations assumed by the participants.
• The activities of international organizations are regulated by their Charter, which defines the goals, objectives, principles, structure of the association. The provisions of the Charter must not contradict the norms of international law.

• The rights and obligations of all participants. They are usually equal for any member of the union. Also, they should not cancel the independent rights of the participants. The sovereignty of the state cannot be violated. The rights of international organizations determine the status of an association, regulate the issues of their creation and activities.
• Permanent or regular activities, sessions, meetings between members to resolve international affairs.
• Decision-making by a simple majority of votes of the organization's members or by consensus. The final decisions are recorded on paper and signed by all participants.
• Presence of headquarters and governing bodies. Not infrequently, the Chairman of the organization acts as the last one. Participants preside in turn, for a limited time period.

Classification

What international organizations exist? All associations are subdivided depending on several criteria.

One organization can fit several criteria at once.

List of key international organizations

According to 2017 data, there are 103 global organizations in the world. Some of them are permanent, others are collected for sessions.

African Union

It is an international intergovernmental organization with 55 member states. The main goal of the association is the comprehensive cooperation and development of African states and peoples. The area of ​​interest includes the economy, trade, security, education, health care, wildlife conservation, human rights protection and much more.

Asia-Pacific Economic Community

An international regional organization focused on the economy and trade in the Asia-Pacific region. The association is the initiator of the creation of unhindered and free trade between the participating countries.

Andean Community of Nations

International regional association countries South America. It has a socio-economic orientation. Members of the community stand for the integration of states Latin America.

This international community includes eight states. Its goal is to preserve nature in the Arctic region, minimizing the damage caused to nature during the development of shelves.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

It is an international organization of the states of Southeast Asia. The range of issues considered by the association is not limited, but the main issue concerns the creation of trade zones. The structure includes 10 countries. In 2006, a declaration was signed between Russia and the Association, which allows states to cooperate within the framework of the meetings held by the Association.

Bank for International Settlements

This financial institution. Its goal is to strengthen cooperation between the Central Banks of different countries and simplify international settlements.

World Association of Nuclear Power Plant Operators

An organization whose members are the countries operating nuclear power plants. The purpose and mission of the organization is to create conditions for the safe use of atomic energy, improving security nuclear power plants.

world Trade organisation

A multilateral international organization whose member countries are parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Designed to create conditions for the liberalization of trade participants. One of the largest organizations with 164 members.

International Atomic Energy Agency

An organization whose purpose is to promote the safe use of nuclear energy. The agency also prevents the spread atomic weapons.

UN

The United Nations is an association created after the Second World War by 50 participating countries to maintain peace and security on the planet. At the moment, the UN is the most influential organization in the world. In addition to keeping the peace, the UN now deals with a wide range of global issues. What international organizations are members of the UN? There are 16 institutions in total. The organization includes such specialized international associations:

1. The World Meteorological Organization is a UN body responsible for meteorology, global warming and the interaction of the atmosphere with the world's oceans.
2. The World Health Organization is a UN agency designed to solve international problems in the field of public health of the Earth's population. The organization actively contributes to improving the level of medical services, hygiene, vaccination of the population in the world. The structure includes 194 countries.
3. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, better known by its acronym UNESCO. The association deals with education and illiteracy, discrimination in education, the study of different cultures and social sphere the life of mankind. UNESCO is actively involved in the fight against gender inequality, plays a huge role in solving a wide range of problems on the African continent.
4. UNICEF, or the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, is engaged in comprehensive assistance to the institution of motherhood and childhood. Among the main goals of the fund are the reduction of child mortality, the reduction deaths in pregnant women, promotion of primary education among children.
5. The International Labor Organization is the UN special agency responsible for regulatory matters. labor relations both within countries and in the international labor market.

Russia's participation in global organizations

Russian Federation accepts Active participation in the life of the world community and is a permanent member a large number world organizations, consider the main ones:

• Customs Union- a supranational association of several countries with the aim of creating a single economic space and market, eliminating customs restrictions for goods.
• The United Nations (Security Council) is a permanent body of the United Nations dealing with international security.
• The Commonwealth of Independent States is a union of states that were formerly part of the USSR. The main goal of the CIS is the issues of political, economic and cultural interaction between the participating countries.
• The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a council of several states to maintain peace and order in the territory of the participants.
• The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is an association dealing with security issues in Europe.
• The Council of Europe is an association of European countries to strengthen democracy, improve human rights legislation and cultural interaction between countries.
• BRICS is a group of five countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, Republic of South Africa.
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - a regional forum for the development of trade between participants.
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an association whose goal is to maintain peace and stability. It is not a military bloc.
• Eurasian economic union- a regional organization that advocates the integration and convergence of the markets of the participating countries.
• The International Organization for Standardization is a worldwide association whose main goal is to issue international standards and their implementation on the territory of all participants.
• The International Olympic Committee is an organization created to revive and promote Olympic movement in the world.
• The International Electrotechnical Commission is an association that standardizes electrical networks and equipment.
• The World Trade Organization is a trade union dedicated to providing equal rights on the international market to all participants.

Olga Nagornyuk

Why do we need international organizations?

Modern world is at the stage of post-industrial development. His hallmarks are the globalization of the economy, the informatization of all spheres of life and the creation of interstate associations - international organizations. Why do countries unite in such unions and what role do they play in the life of society? We will discuss this in our article.

Purpose of existence of international organizations

Mankind has come to the realization that problems, whether it be a political or economic crisis, an AIDS or swine flu epidemic, global warming or energy shortages, should be solved together. Thus was born the idea of ​​creating interstate associations, which were called "international organizations".

The first attempts to create interstate unions date back to antiquity. The first trade international organization, the Hanseatic Trade Union, appeared in the Middle Ages, and an attempt to create an interethnic political association that would help peacefully resolve acute conflicts occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, when the League of Nations was founded in 1919.

Distinctive features of international organizations:

1. The status of international is received only by associations in which 3 or more states are members. A smaller number of members gives the right to be called a union.

2. All international organizations are obliged to respect state sovereignty and have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the member countries of the organization. In other words, they should not dictate to the governments of countries with whom and with what to trade, what constitution to adopt and with what states to cooperate.

3. International organizations are created in the likeness of enterprises: they have their own charter and governing bodies.

4. International organizations have a certain specialization. For example, the OSCE is engaged in resolving political conflicts, the World Health Organization is in charge of medicine, the International Monetary Fund is engaged in issuing loans and financial assistance.

International organizations are divided into two groups:

• intergovernmental, created by the unification of several states. An example of such associations is the UN, NATO, IAEA, OPEC;

• non-governmental, also called public, in the formation of which the state does not take part. These include Greenpeace, International Committee Red Cross, International Automobile Federation.

The goal of international organizations is to find optimal ways solving problems that arise in their field of activity. With the joint efforts of several states, it is easier to cope with this task than for each country separately.

The most famous international organizations

Today there are about 50 large interstate associations in the world, each of which extends its influence to a certain area of ​​society.

UN

The most famous and authoritative international alliance is the United Nations. It was created in 1945 with the aim of preventing the outbreak of the Third World War, protecting human rights and freedoms, holding peacekeeping missions and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Today, 192 countries are members of the UN, including Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an international military organization, founded in 1949 at the initiative of the United States with the aim of "protecting Europe from Soviet influence." Then 12 countries received NATO membership, today their number has grown to 28. In addition to the United States, NATO includes Great Britain, France, Norway, Italy, Germany, Greece, Turkey, etc.

Interpol

The International Criminal Police Organization, which declared its goal the fight against crime, was established in 1923, and today it has 190 states, ranking second in the world after the UN in terms of the number of member countries. The headquarters of Interpol is located in France, in Lyon. This association is unique because it has no other analogues.

WTO

The World Trade Organization was established in 1995 as a single interstate body that oversees the development and implementation of new trade relations, including the reduction customs duties and simplification of rules foreign trade. Now in its ranks there are 161 states, among them - almost all the countries of the post-Soviet space.

IMF

The International Monetary Fund, in fact, is not a separate organization, but one of the UN divisions responsible for providing loans to countries in need for economic development. Funds are allocated solely on the terms of the implementation by the recipient country of all the recommendations developed by the fund's specialists.

Practice shows that the conclusions of the IMF financiers do not always reflect the realities of life, an example of this is the crisis in Greece and the difficult economic situation in Ukraine.

UNESCO

Another division of the United Nations dealing with science, education and culture. The task of this association is to expand cooperation between countries in the field of culture and art, as well as to ensure freedoms and human rights. Representatives of UNESCO are fighting illiteracy, stimulating the development of science, solving issues of gender equality.

OSCE

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is considered the world's largest international organization responsible for security.

Its representatives are present in the zones of military conflicts as observers monitoring the observance by the parties of the terms of the signed agreements and agreements. The initiative to create this union, which today unites 57 countries, belonged to the USSR.

OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries speaks for itself: it consists of 12 states that trade "liquid gold" and control 2/3 of the world's oil reserves. Today, OPEC dictates oil prices to the whole world, and no wonder, because the member countries of the organization account for almost half of the export of this energy resource.

WHO

Founded in 1948 in Switzerland, the World Health Organization is part of the United Nations. Among its most significant achievements is the complete destruction of the smallpox virus. WHO develops and implements uniform standards of medical care, provides assistance in the development and implementation of public health programs, and takes initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle.

International organizations are a sign of the globalization of the world. Formally, they do not interfere in inner life states, however, in fact, they have effective levers of pressure on the countries that are part of these associations.

Take it, tell your friends!

Read also on our website:

show more

International economic organizations(IEO) regulate the work of transnational corporations, draw up cooperation agreements, develop legal norms and simplify work in the global market.

The globalization of the economy and the emergence of new industries increase the number of international agreements and features of cooperation between countries. International economic organizations (IEOs) regulate the work of transnational corporations, draw up cooperation agreements, develop legal norms to make work on the world market easier and more profitable.

The number and composition of the IEO varies depending on the political situation, the specifics of the development of the global market and the goals of cooperation in the organization. For example, the UN was created to maintain peace after the end of World War II, but over time, the powers of the organization have expanded significantly. Dozens of specialized international economic organizations operating under the auspices of the UN have been added to the organizational structure.

Varieties

Depending on the range of tasks to be solved, such associations of states are divided into universal and specialized.

• Specialized ones regulate certain areas of international activity: trade (WTO, UNCTAD), currency relations (IMF, EBRD), export of raw materials and materials (OPEC, MSST), Agriculture(FAO).
• Universal organizations are large associations that contribute to the development of international relations in general, simplify access to the world market. For example, the OECD stands for the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation.

Depending on the international legal status, MEO are divided into interstate and non-governmental organizations.

• Interstate are formalized by agreements concluded between several countries (or their associations) to solve an established list of tasks. For example, the UN system includes dozens of specialized international organizations that issue legislation for member states.
• Non-governmental organizations are associations of countries that do not involve the conclusion of agreements between power structures. This type of IEO pursues humanitarian goals (Red Cross Committee), investigates human rights violations (Human Rights Oversight Committee), fights caesura (Reporters Without Borders Committee), preserves cultural heritage (Memorial Committee).

Functions

All international organizations are created to form a single world market, adapted to national laws and their characteristics. The subjects (participants) of the IEO can be individual states or their associations, and the objects (objects of cooperation) of such organizations are economic relations.

Depending on the legal status and the list of tasks to be solved, there are five main functions of the IER.

• Solving problems relevant to all countries of the world: fighting hunger, epidemics, poverty, unemployment, ensuring stable economic development. Such issues are decided by the UN and its specialized organizations, a group World Bank, Eurasian Economic Union.
• Solution of economic, legal and social problems relevant for this region. For example, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development finances structural changes in the economies of Central and Eastern Europe.
• Creation of comfortable conditions for doing business in a separate market segment. Such organizations unite several countries that produce one group of goods for the world market. For example, OPEC is an association of oil exporting states that coordinates the sale of raw materials and controls the level of prices on the market.
• Informal and semi-formal groupings that are created by several countries to solve narrow problems. For example, the Paris Club of Creditors is a financial union of leading economies to settle the payment of debts of individual states.

Most MEOs are formed and developed as markets expand, national borders in trade disappear, and new industries are created. For example, the massive introduction of Internet technologies has led to the creation of the European regulation for the protection of personal data (GDPR) of the user.

World Trade Organization (WTO)- the successor since 1995 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT, signed in 1947; in the early 90s, more than 150 countries participated in it).

The package of documents for the creation of the WTO also includes the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

At present, the most important task of the WTO is the liberalization of world trade by consistently reducing the level of import duties and eliminating various non-tariff barriers. In its activities, this organization proceeds from the fact that the expansion international exchange will allow the most optimal use of world resources, ensure the stability of the economic development of all countries and the preservation of the environment.

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)- a regional economic grouping created in 1960. Its initial composition included Austria, Great Britain, Denmark (until 1973), Norway, Portugal (until 1983), Switzerland, Sweden.

At a later stage, Iceland, Finland and Liechtenstein joined this organization. In 1991-1993 free trade agreements have been signed with Turkey, Czechoslovakia, Israel, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. According to the agreement on the European Economic Area (entered into force in 1994), the EFTA member countries became its participants (with the exception of Switzerland and Liechtenstein).

European Communities (EU)- generalizing name of three regional integration groupings Western Europe: the European Economic Community (EEC, established in 1957), the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC, 1951), and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom, 1958).

After the participants of these organizations passed a number of stages in the development of integration processes, the most notable event was the adoption of the Single European Act (1986), which clearly outlined the idea of ​​creating the European Union.

European Union (EU)- an integration association created on the basis of the European Communities in 1993 in accordance with the Maastricht Treaty (1992). Initially, 12 countries had membership in the EU: Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and France. Under the 1994 agreements, three more countries joined the union (1995): Austria, Finland and Sweden.

Continuing to develop the ideas of creating a united Europe (the so-called "Europe without borders"), this grouping seeks to form a political, economic and monetary union of the participating countries.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)- is an organ of the UN General Assembly established in 1964.

The most important task of UNCTAD is to promote the development of international trade.

International Development Association (MAP)- a specialized agency of the United Nations; established in 1960 as a branch of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. MAP provides loans primarily to developing countries on somewhat more favorable terms than the IBRD.

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)- a credit institution with the status of a specialized agency of the United Nations. The IBRD was founded in 1944, but began operating in 1946, providing medium and long-term loans. Membership in this organization is granted only to members of the IMF.

IBRD has branches: International Association Development, the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. Together with its branches, the IBRD is sometimes referred to as the World Bank.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)- a financial institution with the status of a specialized agency of the United Nations.

The IMF was founded in 1944 (Bretton Woods, USA), and has been operating since March 1, 1947. The most important tasks Fund are to promote the development of monetary and financial relations between member countries, maintaining exchange rates, providing credit assistance in order to equalize the balance of payments.

About 180 states are now members of the Fund, including Russia (since 1992) and other CIS countries.

United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose members are now more than 180 countries.

The UN was established in 1945 with the aim of maintaining and strengthening peace, security and development of international cooperation, including in the economic sphere. A number of its main organs and specialized institutions play a significant role in modern international economic relations.

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an international intergovernmental organization. It was established in 1960 to protect the interests of the main oil-producing states of Asia, Africa and Latin America, to coordinate the production and export of oil, and to agree on prices for this energy carrier.

13 countries have membership in OPEC: Algeria, Venezuela, Gabon, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador.

In the 70s. OPEC has repeatedly raised and introduced a single selling price for oil. However, the significantly increased oil production in countries that are not members of this organization has reduced the role of OPEC in world oil production and trade.

Organization economic cooperation and Development (OECD)- organization of the most developed in economic terms countries of the world; established in 1960 to coordinate their economic and social policy. By 1997, the number of its members increased to 29 (the last of them in November 1996 was the Republic of Korea).

The OECD at this stage is not an integration association like the EU. This organization focuses its activities on the development of recommendations to the participating countries on foreign economic problems, while not significantly affecting the issues of their internal socio-economic development.

"Paris Club"- an intergovernmental organization of creditor countries, members of the IMF. A group of leading industrialized states formed this "club" in 1961 with the aim of creating conditions for borrowing financial resources from it by IMF member countries in the event of a shortage of the fund's resources in crisis situations.

The "Paris Club" began its activity in 1962 under the General Loan Agreements with the IMF.

"Roman Club"- international public organization, created in 1968 with the aim of studying the main aspects of human development in the era of scientific and technological revolution. The "Club" played an important role in drawing the attention of the world community to global issues modern civilization, generated by the contradictions of social development, the sharply increased scale of human impact on the environment.

UN Economic Commissions- five regional economic commissions, whose activities are carried out under the leadership of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). These are the Economic Commission for Europe (EAC, established in 1947), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific Ocean(ESCAP, 1947), Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA, 1948 and 1951), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA, 1958), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ECWA, 1974).

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)- one of the main bodies of the UN, carrying along with General Assembly The UN, and under its leadership, is responsible for the performance of the functions of the UN in the economic and social spheres.

The Council is the governing and coordinating body of the UN agencies in these areas. ECOSOC discusses issues of international economic and social policy, develops fundamental recommendations to the governments of the UN member states and establishes its system.