INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

An International Organisation is any cooperative arrangement instituted among states usually by

a basic agreement to perform some mutually advantageous functions implemented through
periodic meetings and staff activities. The history of international organizations is a recent one.
However, the treaties of the past also lead the steps towards the international organization. In
ancient period the Roman Catholic Church was the most powerful international institution.
Another example during the Middle Ages was the Hanseatic League. The current pattern of
international organizations has been evolving ever since Westphalia.

Here are some interpretations of the meaning of international organizations from prominent
figures:

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS (1920-1939)

The League of Nations, established in 1920 following World War I, signified the birth of a nearly
universal international organization with legal personality and its own agencies, an idea
proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. It consisted of the League Council, the League
Assembly, and the Secretariat, alongside the Permanent Court of International Justice and the
International Labour Organisation. The League aimed to provide a platform for discussion and
decision-making on political problems and peacekeeping, although its effectiveness was limited
by the non-participation of key nations like the USA.

UNITED NATIONS

Following World War II, the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 as a more comprehensive
international organization, with 51 founding members. Its charter outlines objectives such as
maintaining international peace, fostering friendly relations among nations, solving international
problems cooperatively, promoting human rights, and harmonizing national actions. The UN
represents a significant evolution in international organizations, aiming for broader and more
effective global governance.

FUNCTION OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

IOS main functions can be broken down into the following general categories:

• Global, with general jurisdiction; for example the United Nations (UN).
- This refers to international organizations that have broad mandates covering a wide
range of issues or areas of global concern. They typically have authority to address
various topics such as peace and security, human rights, development, and
environmental protection on a global scale.
• Global, with specific jurisdiction; for example, the UN's specialized agencies, such as the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
 - These are international organizations that focus on addressing a specific issue or set of
related issues on a global level. Unlike organizations with general jurisdiction, they have
narrower mandates and are dedicated to tackling particular challenges or promoting
specific goals.
• Continental; for example, the African Union (AU), the Organization of American States
(OAS) and the European Union (EU). The latter, which is the only supranational
organization of this type, has seen its membership grow from 6 nations in 1957, when it was
founded in Rome, to over 28 in 2010, with the admission of other potential members
currently under consideration. This category also includes various international development
banks that exist on each continent, as well as the UN's Economic Commissions on different
continents.
- These are international organizations that operate within a specific continent or
geographical region. They focus on addressing issues relevant to that particular
continent and promoting cooperation among countries within it.
• Intercontinental; for example, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the
Commonwealth; the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (or International
Organization of the Francophonie), the Islamic Countries Conference, and Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC).

- These are international organizations that operate within a specific continent or

geographical region. They focus on addressing issues relevant to that particular
continent and promoting cooperation among countries within it.
• Regional; for example, Mercosur (Common Market of the South), the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
- Regional organizations focus on specific regions of the world and promote cooperation
among countries within those regions. They may address regional challenges, such as
security issues, economic integration, or environmental concerns.

REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded at its
inaugural summit in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, with its headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and later Afghanistan
(joined in 2008), SAARC stands as one of the largest regional groupings by population with
eight member states. Its charter, consisting of ten articles, emphasizes principles like sovereign
equality and mutual benefits, aiming to complement bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
SAARC's objectives include promoting economic growth, collective self-reliance, and
cooperation in various fields, alongside fostering people-to-people contact. Its structure includes
an annual summit, a Council of Ministers, a Standing Committee, and Technical Committees,
led by a rotating Secretary-General. Notably, SAARC has advanced trade agreements, evolving
from the South Asian Preferential Trade Association (SAPTA) to the South Asian Free Trade
Agreement (SAFTA).
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in August 1967 through
the Bangkok Declaration by Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Burma,
and the Philippines, with Vietnam as the latest member, aims to accelerate economic and social
progress, promote regional peace, and enhance mutual assistance in various areas. Jakarta,
Indonesia, hosts its Secretariat. ASEAN has introduced the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
(AFTA) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to foster economic integration and regional
security.

The European Union (EU), the world's most successful regional organization, originated with
the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952, evolving through the European Economic
Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). The Maastricht
Treaty in December 1991 marked its transition to the EU, emphasizing a common foreign policy,
European citizenship, and the introduction of the Euro. The EU's key institutions include the
Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament, and the European Court of
Justice. With 28 member countries, the EU is the largest and wealthiest regional bloc,
representing over 300 million people and holding significant global trade influence.

UNITED NATIONS

Founded in 1945, the United Nations (UN) is an expansive and multifaceted entity with 191
member states, encompassing virtually every nation worldwide. Its foundational document, the
UN Charter, details the organization's aims and framework and is accessible on the UN's official
website and annually in the United Nations Yearbook. The UN's homepage offers insights into
ongoing events, a summary of the organization, and key documents, while the UN News Center
provides timely updates on its endeavors.

The UN's structure is defined by several principal organs as outlined in the UN Charter.

The General Assembly, serving as the primary legislative and policymaking body, includes all
member states, each holding a single vote. It delegates tasks to six main committees focusing
on various global issues:

1. The Disarmament and International Security Committee;

2. The Economic and Financial Committee;
3. The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee;
4. The Special Political and Decolonization Committee;
5. The Administrative and Budgetary Committee;
6. The Legal Committee.

The Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from the Republic of Korea, executes
the UN's programs and policies, including peacekeeping operations, mediating international
conflicts, and organizing global conferences.
The Security Council, tasked with preserving international peace and security, consists of five
permanent members (China, France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S.) and ten non-permanent
members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. It can impose measures,
including economic sanctions or military interventions, to prevent or halt aggression.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) oversees the coordination of the UN's
specialized agencies and commissions, advancing global cooperation to address economic,
social, and health challenges. It also promotes cultural, educational cooperation, and respect for
human rights.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) resolves disputes between states and offers legal
advice to the UN's primary organs. The ICJ's website features recent opinions, case
information, press releases, and an overview of the court.

The Trusteeship Council, once responsible for overseeing eleven trust territories, ceased
operations on November 1, 1994, following Palau's independence, the final UN trust territory.

UN CHARTER

The United Nations Charter, established as the foundational treaty of the United Nations, was
signed on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco, following the United Nations Conference on
International Organization, and became effective on 24 October 1945. This Charter grants the
UN the ability to address a broad range of issues, thanks to its global authority and the legal
powers it embodies, making it a pivotal instrument of international law that binds its member
states. It enshrines key principles of international diplomacy, including the equality of all states
and the prohibition of force in international affairs.

Guided by its Charter since its inception in 1945, the UN’s mission and activities have evolved,
with amendments to the Charter occurring in 1963, 1965, and 1973. The early 20th century saw
significant movements towards international cooperation, exemplified by the formation of the
International Telegraph Union in 1865 and the Universal Postal Union in 1874, aiming to
improve global communications and mail delivery, respectively.

The necessity for international collaboration was further underscored by global conflicts,
prompting the establishment of conventions like the Geneva Conventions in 1864, which set
standards for humanitarian treatment during war, and the creation of the Permanent Court of
Arbitration in 1899 at The Hague for resolving international disputes.

The Paris Peace Conference in January 1919, attended by nearly thirty nations but dominated
by the "Big Four" (Great Britain, France, the United States, and Italy), aimed to define peace
terms following World War I. This conference led to the drafting of several treaties that
significantly altered geopolitical landscapes and established the League of Nations, intended as
a preventive measure against future wars, championed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

Despite initial successes, the League of Nations struggled to enforce its resolutions and
maintain peace in the face of aggression by the Axis powers in the 1930s, leading to its inability
to prevent World War II. The League was dissolved in April 1946, after 26 years, making way for
the United Nations, which inherited several of its agencies and aimed to continue its mission
with a stronger framework for international cooperation and peacekeeping.

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Realist Schools of Thought

Realist theories emphasize the primacy of power in the dynamics of International Organizations.
Hans Morgenthau contends that states seek to minimize the constraints international law places
on their foreign policies, instead leveraging it to further their national interests (Morgenthau,
1985). According to traditional realists like Carr (1964), International Institutions and
Organizations are merely extensions of state power and interests.

Joseph Grieco (1988) and John Mearsheimer (1994-95) argue that the quest for relative gains
hampers deep cooperation among states because the benefits derived from such cooperation
could enhance military capabilities, thus affecting the distribution of power. Joanne Gowa
suggests that alliances are more prone to trade in a bipolar world than in a multipolar one due to
increased uncertainty about allies and adversaries (Gowa, 1994). Lloyd Gruber posits that
powerful states can force others into agreements that may leave them worse off, presenting
them with a fait accompli (Gruber, 2000). Realists commonly assert that international
organizations are either controlled by the most powerful states or are structured to be
inconsequential in global politics (Mearsheimer, 1994-95).

Empirical studies have investigated how dominant states might coerce smaller ones into
cooperation within international bodies. Research indicates that the lending practices of global
financial institutions often mirror the geopolitical interests of leading powers, especially the
United States (Reynaud and Vauday, 2009; Stone, 2004). Some academics have quantified the
influence of powerful nations in International Organizations through financial aid or concessional
loans to less powerful countries.

A newer wave of realist thinkers examines how states utilize international organizations to
pursue security goals. This approach, often termed "soft realism," delves into how states employ
"institutionalized balancing" tactics within these organizations, using pressure and threats to
safeguard their security interests (He, 2008). The world's most influential nations, particularly
through forums like the G8, have been known to manipulate international organizations to
secure favorable outcomes in areas such as debt relief and the financing of counter-terrorism
measures (Gstöhl, 2007). This contemporary Realist perspective highlights the underlying
power dynamics and interests shaping the operations of supposedly cooperative multilateral
institutions.

Rational Functionalism

Rational Functionalism emerged in the early 1980s, intertwining the study of international
regimes with the broader concept of international cooperation by the mid-1980s. Robert
Keohane's seminal work in 1984 built upon functionalist theories, highlighting the role of
efficiency in fostering agreements among international actors. His research demonstrated how
international organizations serve as mechanisms for states to navigate collective action
dilemmas, reduce transaction costs, and address issues related to insufficient or unevenly
distributed information. The primary contribution of this approach lies in its explanatory power
regarding the formation and sustainability of International Organizations.

This research trajectory, initiated by Keohane's "After Hegemony" and further explored in
Krasner's compilation on international regimes, is grounded in the critical understanding that
actions by states, though individually rational, may obstruct cooperative endeavors that are
mutually advantageous. Institutions, according to this perspective, are instrumental in aligning
expectations toward cooperative outcomes, minimizing transaction costs, and enhancing
transparency.

Recent explorations of this functionalist rationale have extended its application to various
international challenges, such as resolving territorial conflicts (Simmons, 2005) and fostering
cooperation over freshwater resources (Dombrowsky, 2007). Essentially, this approach posits
institutions as effective responses to the challenges of international collective action.

From the English School to Social Constructivism

Scholars within the English School and social constructivism have underscored the significance
of international society in upholding global order. Bull and Watson (1984) describe international
society as a collective of states that, through dialogue and agreement, establish common rules
and recognize a shared interest in sustaining these arrangements, laying the foundation for
international institutions (Buzan, 1993). Martin Wight highlighted cultural unity's role in defining
an international society's identity (Wight, 1977), while Bull identified the potential for any group
of states with aligned objectives, such as limiting force use, to form an international society
(Bull, 1977). According to this view, institutions comprise social norms and practices that guide
appropriate behavior within society (Suganami, 1983). English School scholars have focused on
broad 'institutions' like the balance of power and diplomatic practices (Evans and Wilson, 1992),
often sidelining formal organizations unless they enhance foundational diplomatic and legal
institutions (Crawford, 1996).

Social constructivism delves into how international institutions embody, propagate, and
normalize intersubjective norms, with IOs acting as pivotal socializing entities that encourage
compliance (Finnemore and Sikkink, 1998). Checkel (2005) outlines a model for analyzing
socialization processes through strategic calculation, role-playing, and norm persuasion, while
Johnston (2008) adds social methods like endorsement or shaming, noting their intensified
effect within certain IOs. This approach examines the degree to which international rules and
organizations are perceived as legitimate embodiments of societal goals and values (Coicaud
and Heiskanen, 2001). Christian Reus-Smit connects the emergence of multilateral legislation
with the transition from autocracy to popular sovereignty and procedural justice norms,
emphasizing self-legislation and nondiscrimination.

Furthermore, sociological theory considers IOs as international bureaucracies with their own
agency, capable of actions like loan provision, peacekeeping, vaccination, and data
management. Historically seen as distributors of global collective goods, these organizations
increasingly regulate issues traditionally managed by nation-states, potentially reshaping
agendas and objectives through their specialized expertise.

Issue:

The 2022 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2022) highlights the remarkably high severity
and numbers of people in Crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) or equivalent in 53
countries/territories, driven by persistent conflict, pre-existing and COVID-19-related economic
shocks, and weather extremes. The number identified in the 2022 edition is the highest in the
report’s six-year existence. The report is produced by the Global Network against Food Crises
(which includes WFP), an international alliance working to address the root causes of extreme
hunger.

https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-
0000138913/download/?_ga=2.165743102.1381291313.1712731181-75381148.1712731180