UN Links : Specialised Agencies

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

In Africa, FAO continues to work on issues related to water; food production; soil quality improvement; food security, (paying particular attention to the Horn of Africa), land degradation; and, desertification control. The FAO is also paying particular attention to HIV/AIDS in the context of rural development, particularly its impact on agricultural development.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

In the context of Africa, the IAEA focuses its work on the applications of nuclear technologies for health and agricultural development, for example in the eradication of the Tsete fly, improving productivity of certain staples and improving water resources.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

From its regional offices in Nairobi and Dakar, IACO promotes the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation in Africa by promoting ICAO policies and standards.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

IFAD plays a key role in combating rural hunger and poverty in Africa. It does so providing direct funding and mobilizing additional resources for programmes specifically designed to promote the economic advancement of the rural poor, mainly by improving the productivity of on and off-farm activities.

International Labour Office (ILO)

In addition to promoting the fundamental principles and rights at work and the ratification of international labour standards, the ILO's work in Africa focuses on the elimination of child labour, HIV/AIDS and the workplace, and the reconstruction of the economies of countries emerging from crisis situations. From its regional office in Cote d' Ivoire, ILO also gives support to African countries on labour market information systems, human resources development and training, small and medium-sized enterprises and job creation as well as upgrading informal sector activities.

International Marine Organization (IMO)

The IMO's programme in Africa focuses on three priorities that, together, can ensure sustainable maritime development, efficient and safe maritime transport services, as well as effective environmental protection. These priorities include strengthening maritime Administrations, up-grading of key regional maritime training institutions, and human resource development. The 2002-2003 International Technical Cooperation Programme gives priority to Africa, being the region with the largest proportion of least developed countries and the priority region for the United Nations Systemâs development activities.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

ITU's work in Africa focuses on organizing and coordinating technical cooperation and assistance activities that promote standardization and rural access. As part of its efforts to help Africa bridge the digital divide, ITU, in collaboration with the South African Government will be hosting ITU TELECOM AFRICA 2001 from 12 to 16 November 2001.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is actively engaged in promoting basic education in Africa. Its regional office for education, located in Dakar, is helping to implement the statement adopted by the Seventh Conference of African Ministers of Education on extending and improving basic education for all African children. UNESCO's office in South Africa is assisting the Intergovernmental Committee to follow-up the recommendations of the Dakar Framework for Action of the World Education Forum. A subregional office for Southern Africa, located in Zimbabwe also contributes to the implementation of UNESCO's programme in Africa. UNESCO is also engaged in many projects in the culture and science and technology sectors.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

UNIDO helps African countries to pursue sustainable industrial development through the Alliance for Africa's Industrialization (AAI). It provides tailor-made solutions to today's industrial problems by offering a package of integrated services addressing three key concerns, namely, enhancing competitiveness, creating a sound enabling environment, and achieving productive employment, at policy, institutional and enterprise levels.

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

UPU provides technical cooperation and advisory services to African countries in training and management of postal operations. It also takes an active part in follow-up initiatives arising from global conferences organized under United Nations auspices such as the Conference on Environment and Development, the World Summit for Social Development and the Fourth Conference on Women.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

In promoting the use of industrial property (including patents), information technology, biotechnology and traditional knowledge, WIPO focuses its programme in Africa on technical assistance and strengthening institutional capacity.

World Health Organization (WHO)

From its regional office in Harare, WHO is engaged on a number of fronts in Africa in the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, promoting a healthy environment (water, sanitation and issues related to poverty and its impact on health) and supporting the development of health systems.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

The WMO is assisting African countries in using meterological applications for development and protecting the environment by monitoring droughts through its regional centres in Nairobi and Harare. National meteorological centres in Cairo, Casablanca , Algiers and Pretoria also serve as regional specialized metorological centres for assisting in the coordination and distribution of prompt and accurate weather information and other services for public, private and commercial use, including international airline and shipping industries.