Famous Cities associated with International Organizations

WASHINGTON, D.C. [“District of Columbia”]

CENTRE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

All three branches of the federal government, the executive, legislative, and judicial, reside in Washington, D.C. The United States Congress (the legislative branch) meets here in the Capitol building. Many of the city’s residents work for the government.

The White House in Washington, D.C. has been home to every president except George Washington, whom the city is named after.

Major International financial Institutions in Washington include the

• World Bank; Estd. 1944 (IBRD: 188 Countries; IDA: 172 Countries)
• International Monetary Fund; Estd. 1945 (IMF: 188 Countries)
• Inter-American Development Bank; Estd. 1959 (IDB: 48 Countries)

NEW YORK CITY

The centre of U.S. commerce and business is New York City.

People living here have a fast-paced lifestyle, and many travel by train or bus from the suburbs to work in the towering high-rise office buildings of Manhattan. People traveling by boat across the harbour pass the Statue of Liberty, a huge monument that represents freedom and opportunity to Americans.

New York is also famous for New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

Major International Institutions in New York include

• United Nations Organization; Estd. 1945 (198 Members, 2 Observers)
• United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF); Estd. 1946
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Estd. 1969

PARIS

Capital of France

The streets of Paris are world famous. On the Left Bank rises the Eiffel Tower itself, an unclad metal truss tower designed by Gustave Eiffel. Tourists flock to Paris to visit its world-famous museums and art galleries, shop in its elegant stores, and soak up its vibrant atmosphere. Montmartre, which overlooks the city, is famous for its artists. Close by, in the Place du Tertre, visitors can have their portraits painted.

Major International Institutions in Paris are

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Estd. 1946

GENEVA

In Switzerland

Geneva lies on the shores of Lake Geneva, Europe’s largest Alpine lake. This orderly city is a global centre for banking and finance. It is also a base for many international organizations.

Major International Organizations includes

• World Health Organization (WHO); Estd. 1948
• World Trade Organization; Estd. 1995 (WTO: 160 Members)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Estd. 1964
• World Meteorological Organisation; Estd. 1950
• International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC); Estd. 1919 (188 Members)

ROME

Capital of Italy

One of Rome’s greatest sights is the Coliseum, which opened in 80 CE. Deadly Gladiatorial combats and animal fights were staged here before crowds of up to 55,000 people.

Major International Organizations in Rome are

• Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO); Estd. 1945 (194 Countries + EU + 2 Associates)

LONDON

Capital of United Kingdom

The City of London is the U.K.’s financial centre. Before the banking crash of 2008, more than 500 banks had offices there. Lloyd’s Insurance Building is one of the city’s most distinctive skyscrapers. Built of steel and glass, it has elevators on the outside.

Major Organizations in London are

• Commonwealth of Nations; Estd. 1949 (53 Countries)
• Amnesty International; Estd. 1961
• International Maritime Organisation; Estd. 1959 (IMO: 170 Countries)

THE HAGUE

A city in Netherland

As a result of the international conferences (Hague Convention) held there in 1899 and 1907, The Hague became a permanent centre of international law.

Major International Organizations in The Hague are

• International Court Of Justice; Estd. 1945

JAKARTA

Largest City and Capital of Indonesia

In 1966, when the city was declared a special capital district (daerahkhususibukota), it gained a status approximately equivalent to that of a state or province. The city has long been a major trade and financial centre. It has also become an important industrial city and a centre for education.

Major International Organizations in Jakarta are

• Association of South East Nations; Estd. 1967 (ASEAN: 10 Members, 2 Observers)

MANILA

Capital of Philippines

The people of the Philippines are called Filipinos and are mostly of Malay descent. It is estimated that more than 40 percent of the population lives in poverty. Because income is higher in the cities, many people move there in the hope of escaping poverty. However, lack of adequate housing means that many poorer families have to live in crowded slums.

International Organization in Manila

• Asian Development Bank; Estd. 1966 (ADB: 67 Countries)

SINGAPORE

Known variously as the “Lion City” or “Garden City,” also been called “instant Asia”

As the financial and industrial centre of Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the wealthiest countries in this region. It has a thriving high-tech industry and a high standard of living. There are strictly enforced laws forbidding littering and other petty crimes. The death penalty is imposed for drug smuggling. The government also controls the press and restricts the Internet.

Major International Organizations in Singapore are

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation; Estd. 1989 (APEC: 21 Countries)

KATHMANDU

Capital of Nepal

The city has become the country's most important business and commercial centre through the efforts of its Newar merchant families. In the 1970s the construction of new roads and the expansion of air service were centred upon Kathmandu, making it the hub of the national transportation system, which for centuries was limited to footpaths. Kathmandu Valley, noted for its vast historic and cultural importance, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

International Organizations in Kathmandu

• South Asian Asso for Regional Co-operation; Estd. 1985 (SAARC: 8 Members, 9 Observers)

VIENNA

Capital of Austria

Vienna is a city of baroque buildings, palaces, and famous concert halls. Grand balls with traditional waltzes are still common. These are a reminder of when the city was the centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which controlled large parts of east and central Europe.

International Organization in Vienna

• Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; Estd. 1960 (OPEC: 12 Members)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization; Estd. 1966 (UNIDO: 171 Members)
• International Atomic Energy Agency; Estd. 1957 (IAEA: 162 Members)

BRUSSELS

Capital of Belgium

Belgium is renowned for its beautiful historic buildings and for its excellent food, especially chocolates. Belgians have been making top-quality chocolates for more than 100 years, and pralines, a type of filled chocolate, are a speciality. Brussels even boasts a chocolate museum.

Major International Organizations in Brussels are

• European Council (EC); Estd. 1961
• National Atlantic Treaty Organization; Estd. 1949 (NATO: 28 Members)
• World Customs Organization; Estd. 1952 (WCO: 179 Members + EU)