Structure of UNESCO

ll UNESCO members have the right to be represented in the General Conference, which determines
UNESCO's policies and decides on its major undertakings. Each member state has one vote in the
conference but may be represented by five delegates. The constitution of UNESCO requires that
member governments are to consult with national educational, scientific, and cultural bodies before
selecting these delegates; in countries where UNESCO commissions have been established, these too
are to be consulted.
From 1946 through 1952, the General Conference met every year. Since then it has met generally every
two years. As a rule, the conference takes place in Paris, but it has also met in Mexico City, Beirut,
Florence, Montevideo, New Delhi, Nairobi, Belgrade, and Sofia.
Decisions of the General Conference are made by a simple majority vote, except for certain
constitutionally specified matters that require a two-thirds majority, such as amending the UNESCO
constitution or adopting an international convention. Member nations are not automatically bound by
conventions adopted by the General Conference, but the UNESCO constitution requires them to submit
such conventions to their appropriate national authority for ratification within one year. The same
applies to recommendations, which the General Conference is empowered to adopt by simple majority
vote.
Structure of WHO
All WHO members are represented in the World Health Assembly. Each member has one vote but may
send three delegates. According to the WHO constitution, the delegates are to be chosen for their
technical competence and preferably should represent national health administrations. Delegations may
include alternates and advisers. The assembly meets annually, usually in May, for approximately three
weeks. Most assemblies have been held at WHO headquarters in Geneva. A president is elected by each
assembly.
The World Health Assembly determines the policies of the organization and deals with budgetary,
administrative, and similar questions. By a two-thirds vote, the assembly may adopt conventions or
agreements. While these are not binding on member governments until accepted by them, WHO
members have to "take action" leading to their acceptance within 18 months. Thus, each member
government, even if its delegation voted against a convention in the assembly, must act. For example, it
must submit the convention to its legislature for ratification. It must then notify WHO of the action
taken. If the action is unsuccessful, it must notify WHO of the reasons for nonacceptance.
In addition, the assembly has quasi-legislative powers to adopt regulations on important technical
matters specified in the WHO constitution. Once such a regulation is adopted by the assembly, it applies
to all WHO member countries (including those whose delegates voted against it) except those whose
governments specifically notify WHO that they reject the regulation or accept it only with certain
reservations.
WHO is empowered to introduce uniform technical regulations on the following matters:
sanitary and quarantine requirements and other procedures designed to prevent international
epidemics;
nomenclature with respect to disease, causes of death, and public health practices;
standards with respect to diagnostic procedures for international use;
standards with respect to safety, purity, and potency of biological, pharmaceutical, and similar products
in international commerce; and
advertising and labeling of biological, pharmaceutical, and similar products in international commerce.
The assembly, at its first session in 1948, adopted World Health Regulation No. 1, Nomenclature with
Respect to Diseases and Causes of Death. This regulation guides member countries in compiling
statistics on disease and death and, by providing for a standardized nomenclature, facilitates their
comparison. World Health Regulation No. 2 deals with quarantinable diseases.

Each year, the assembly doubles as a scientific conference on a specific topic of worldwide health
interest, selected in advance. These technical discussions are held in addition to other business. They
enable the delegates, who as a rule are top-ranking public health experts, to discuss common problems
more thoroughly than formal committee debates would permit. Governments are asked to contribute
special working papers and studies to these discussions and, if practicable, to send experts on the
matters to be discussed with their delegations.

Objectives of UNEP include

To promote international cooperation in the field of the environment and recommending appropriate
policies.
To monitor the status of the global environment and gathering and disseminating environmental
information.
To catalyze environmental awareness and action to address major environmental threats among
governments, the private sector and civil society.
To facilitate the coordination of UN activities on matters concerned with the environment, and
ensuring, through cooperation, liaison and participation, that their activities take environmental
considerations into account.
To develop regional programmes for environmental sustainability.
To help, upon request, environment ministries and other environmental authorities, in particular in
developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to formulate and implement
environmental policies.
To provide country-level environmental capacity building and technology support.
To help develop international environmental law, and providing expert advice on the development and
use of environmental concepts and instruments.

The role of UNEP includes

Assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends.
Developing international and national environmental agreements and legal instruments.
Strengthening institutions for the wise management of the environment.
Integrating economic development and environmental protection.
Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology for sustainable development.
Encouraging new partnerships and approaches within civil society and the private sector