UN Specialized Agencies
United Nations Specialized Agencies are autonomous intergovernmental organizations. They are brought into relationship with the United Nations through special agreements concluded by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in accordance with the UN Charter, articles 57 and 63. They carry out various functions on behalf of the UN and have their own headquarters.
Activities
Some of the specialized agencies have been in existence long before the United Nations, whereas others have been established much later:
- the oldest agency is the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), founded in 1865
- the most recent is the World Trade Organization (WTO), founded in 1995.
The specialized agencies are funded by contributions from member states.
Chief Executives Board
The coordination of the specialized agencies towards the UN and among each other is performed by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB). The CEB is composed of
- the UN Secretary-General as the chairman
- the executive heads of the specialized agencies.
The CEB was earlier known as the Administrative Committee of Coordination (ACC).
Joint Inspection Unit
The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) conducts inspections and investigations of the efficiency of the UN, its programmes, funds and specialized agencies.
The Joint Inspection Unit submits an annual report to the General Assembly in the documentary series General Assembly Official Records. Supplement No. 34.
Publishing and depository libraries
The specialized agencies have their own documentation and publishing. They also have their own depository library system, linked to relevant libraries in their member states.