Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

The following is an incomplete listing of often used acronyms and terms within the United Nations system:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

(The acronyms followed by descriptions are autonomous organizations joined to the UN through special agreements)

A

APEC: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

ASEAN: Association of South East Asian Nations

C

CEDAW: The Committee/Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (refers to both the document and the committee)

CIS: Commonwealth of Independent States

CSCE: Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe

D

DAW: Division for the Advancement of Women

DDA: Department of Disarmament Affairs

DESA: Department of Economic and Social Affairs

DGAACS:Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services

DHA: Department of Humanitarian Affairs

DM: Department of Management

DPA: Department of Political Affairs

DPI: Department of Public Information

DPKO:Department of Peace Keeping Operations

E

ECA: Economic Commission for Africa

ECE: Economic Commission for Europe

ECLAC: Economic Commission for Latin America

ECO: Economic Cooperation Organization

ECOSOC: Economic and Social Council

ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States

ESCAP: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ESCWA: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia


F

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) Works to improve agricultural productivity and food security, and to better the living standards of rural populations.

G

GA: General Assembly

H

HABITAT: United Nations Center for Human Settlement (UNCHS)

I

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) An autonomous intergovernmental organization under the aegis of the UN, works for the safe and peaceful uses of atomic energy.

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Sets international standards for the safety, security and efficiency of air transport and serves as the coordinator for international cooperation in all areas of civil aviation.

ICJ: International Court of Justice

ICRC: international Committee of the Red Cross

ICTR: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

ICTY: International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia

IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Mobilizes financial resources to raise food production and nutrition levels among the poor in developing countries.

ILO (International Labour Organization) Formulates policies and programmes to improve working conditions and employment opportunities, and sets labour standards used by countries around the world.

IMF (International Monetary Fund) Facilitates international monetary cooperation and financial stability and provides a permanent forum for consultation, advice and assistance on financial issues.

IMO (International Maritime Organization) Works to improve international shipping procedures, raise standards in marine safety and reduce marine pollution by ships.

INSTRAW: International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women

ITC: International Trade Center

ITLOS: International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Fosters international cooperation to improve telecommunications of all kinds, coordinates usage of radio and TV frequencies, promotes safety measures and conducts research.

L

LAS: League of Arab States

N
NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement

NAM: Non-Aligned Movement

NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NGLS: United Nations Non-Governmental Liasion Service

NGO: Non-Governmental Organization

O

OAS: Organization of American States

OAU: Organization of African Unity

OCHA: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ODCCP: United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention

OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OHCHR: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

OIC: Organization of the Islamic Conference

OIOS: Office of Internal Oversight Services

OLA: Office of Legal Affairs

OSCE: Organization for the Security and Cooperation of Europe

OSG: Office of the Secretary General

S

SC: Security Council

SG: Secretary General

SRSG: Special Representative to the Secretary General

SWAPO: South West Africa People's Organization

T

TRC: Truth and Reconciliation Commission

U

UCAH: United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit

UN: United Nations

UNAIDS: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS

UNCDF: United Nations Capital Development Fund

UNCHS: United Nations Center for Human Settlements (HABITAT)

UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNDCP: United Nations Drug Control Program

UNDP: United Nations Develoment Program

UNEP: United Nations Environment Program

UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Promotes education for all, cultural development, protection of the world's natural and cultural heritage, international cooperation in science, press freedom and communication.

UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund

UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund

UNICRI: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

UNIDIR: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization) Promotes the industrial advancement of developing countries through technical assistance, advisory services and training.

UNIFEM: United Nations Development Fund for Women

UNITAR: United Nations Institute for Training and Research

UNOG: United Nations Office at Geneva

UNOHAC: United Nations Office for Humanitarian Assistance Coordination

UNON: United Nations Office at Nairobi

UNOPS: United Nations Office for Project Services

UNOV: United Nations Office at Vienna

UNRISD: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

UNSCOM: United Nations Special Commission (Iraq)

UNSECOORD: Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator

UNU: United Nations University

UNV: United Nations Volunteers

UPU (Universal Postal Union) Establishes international regulations for postal services, provides technical assistance and promotes cooperation in postal matters.

USG: Under-Secretary-General

W

WEU: Western European Union

WFP (UN/FAO): World Food Program

WHO (World Health Organization) Coordinates programmes aimed at solving health problems and the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health. It works in areas such as immunization, health education and the provision of essential drugs. World Bank group Provides loans and technical assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and advance sustainable economic growth.

World Bank Group

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Promotes international protection of intellectual property and fosters cooperation on copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs and patents.

WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Promotes scientific research on the Earth's atmosphere and on climate change and facilitates the global exchange of meteorological data.

Glossary of Terms from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations

Glossary of Acronyms from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs