WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) was

established on April 7, 1948, as a specialized
agency of the United Nations to coordinate and
direct international health efforts. Its
headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland,
serving as the central nerve center for global
health governance, policy-making, and
coordination. WHO also operates six regional
offices that focus on the unique health
challenges of different parts of the world.

Establishment and Headquarters

WHO was created by adopting its Constitution
in 1948, integrating assets and responsibilities
from the League of Nations' Health
Organization and the International Office of
Public Health. Geneva was chosen as the
headquarters because of its longstanding role
in international diplomacy and health
cooperation. In 1966, WHO moved into a
purpose-built headquarters building in Geneva,
which became the hub for its expanding
activities.
Functions of WHO Headquarters
• Directing and Coordinating
Authority: WHO headquarters acts as the
global directing and coordinating authority
on international health work, developing
health policies, setting standards, and
guiding member states.
• Policy Making and Governance: The World
Health Assembly (WHA), comprising all
member states, meets annually to set
strategic health priorities, approve budgets,
and elect the Executive Board. WHO
headquarters implements these policies
through its Secretariat.
• Technical Assistance: It provides countries
with expertise and technical support to
strengthen health systems, enhance
 disease surveillance, and improve
healthcare infrastructure.
• Global Health Monitoring: WHO monitors,
collects, and analyses global health data,
issuing alerts and recommendations on
emerging health threats, outbreaks, and
pandemics.
• Global Health Standards: It sets
international norms for medicines,
vaccines, diagnostics, and healthcare
practices, ensuring safety and efficacy
worldwide.
• Emergency Response Coordination: WHO
coordinates multinational responses to
health emergencies like epidemics, natural
disasters, and pandemics by mobilizing
resources and expertise.
• Research and Development: The
headquarters promotes research on health
challenges, develops guidelines, and
 supports innovation particularly for low-
and middle-income countries.
Historical Contributions and Present
Impact
• Earlier Achievements: WHO’s early
priorities included controlling malaria,
tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted
infections while improving maternal and
child health, nutrition, and sanitation. It
successfully led global campaigns for the
eradication of smallpox and reducing polio
cases.
• Present Role: Today, WHO is indispensable
in managing global health crises, including
the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues to
promote universal health coverage,
strengthen health systems, and prepare
countries for future emergencies. WHO
supports vaccination campaigns, combats
antimicrobial resistance, and advocates for
health equity worldwide.
 • Leadership and Advocacy: WHO
influences global health agendas by
working with governments, UN agencies,
NGOs, and scientific communities to
ensure health is central to sustainable
development.
In essence, WHO headquarters not only
provides strategic leadership and coordination
but also fosters international collaboration
essential for combating health challenges
globally. Its historical success and ongoing
efforts have made it a cornerstone of global
public health, aiming to ensure that every
person achieves the highest possible level of
health.
 UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was
established in 1945, with its headquarters
situated in Paris, France. The organization was
formed in the aftermath of World War II to build
peace through international collaboration in
education, science, culture, and
communication. This was driven by the belief
that peace must be founded on the intellectual
and moral solidarity of humankind.
Establishment and Headquarters
UNESCO's Constitution was signed on
November 16, 1945, coming into force in 1946.
The headquarters building, known as the
Maison de l’UNESCO, was inaugurated on
November 3, 1958. Located at 7 Place de
Fontenoy in Paris, the building is a striking
modernist architectural landmark designed by
notable architects Marcel Breuer, Bernard
Zehrfuss, and Pier Luigi Nervi. Its Y-shaped or
three-pointed star layout symbolizes the
convergence of diverse cultures and ideas.
Covering 75,000 square meters with 1,200
offices, it includes buildings dedicated to
permanent delegations and non-governmental
organizations. The site is also home to art
masterpieces by artists like Picasso and Miró.
The building underwent a major restoration in
recent years to update its technology, energy
efficiency, and security while preserving its
original characteristics.
Functions of UNESCO Headquarters
• Policy and Governance: The headquarters
coordinates the General Conference with
representatives from all member states, the
Executive Board, and the Secretariat led by
the Director-General. These bodies set
global policies, approve programs, and
guide the organization's work.
• Education: UNESCO promotes equitable
access to quality education worldwide,
literacy improvement, lifelong learning, and
narrowing educational inequalities.
• Science: It fosters international cooperation
in natural and social sciences and
promotes sustainable development
initiatives.
• Culture: UNESCO protects cultural heritage
and diversity through conventions like the
World Heritage Convention, launched in
1972, which identifies and helps preserve
sites of outstanding universal value.
• Communication: The organization supports
freedom of expression, media
development, and information accessibility
in an era of rapid digital transformation.
• Peace and Human Rights: UNESCO
encourages intercultural dialogue, fights
racism and discrimination, and advances
human rights education.
 • Emergency Support: In conflicts and
disasters, UNESCO protects cultural
property and helps rebuild educational and
cultural infrastructure.
Historical and Present Impact
Since its founding, UNESCO has played a
critical role in post-war reconstruction by
rebuilding schools, libraries, and museums. It
established frameworks for safeguarding
intangible cultural heritage and promoting
global education standards. The World Heritage
List created by UNESCO protects some of the
world's most treasured cultural and natural
sites, fostering international cooperation.
Today, UNESCO continues to address global
challenges such as climate change, digital
divides, sustainable development, and the
promotion of peace through education and
culture. Its headquarters functions as the
organizational and diplomatic hub where
international collaboration is fostered to create
a more inclusive and peaceful world.
In conclusion, UNESCO’s establishment after
WWII and its headquarters in Paris have been
central to its global mission. The headquarters
is not only a symbol of cultural and intellectual
solidarity but also the operational core for
advancing education, science, culture, and
communication worldwide. Its policies and
programs have historically contributed to peace
and development and continue to adapt to
contemporary global needs.
 UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
was established in 1946 by the United Nations
General Assembly as the International
Children's Emergency Fund to provide
emergency food, healthcare, and relief to
children and mothers in countries devastated
by World War II. It became a permanent part of
the United Nations system in 1953 and was
renamed as the United Nations Children's
Fund, while retaining the acronym UNICEF. Its
global headquarters is located in New York City,
USA, which acts as the central hub for overall
management, program development,
fundraising, global coordination, and
collaboration with partners and governments.
Establishment and Headquarters
UNICEF was created to address the urgent
needs of children after the war but soon
expanded its mission to long-term
humanitarian and developmental assistance
for children's welfare worldwide, especially in
developing countries. The New York
headquarters houses vital departments such as
communications, finance, human resources,
and information technology. It also includes a
public visitor centre that educates people
about UNICEF’s work and child welfare globally.
Functions of UNICEF Headquarters
• Program Development: UNICEF
headquarters designs global programs
focused on child survival, development,
and protection from violence and
exploitation.
• Fundraising and Resource Mobilization: It
coordinates fundraising efforts globally to
support UNICEF’s activities across more
than 190 countries.
• Policy Advocacy: The headquarters works
with governments and international bodies
 to influence policies that uphold children's
rights and welfare.
• Global Coordination: It ensures effective
implementation of UNICEF’s mandates
through country and regional offices,
providing technical assistance where
needed.
• Research and Data: UNICEF collects data
on children’s health, education, and living
conditions to guide its programs and raise
awareness.
• Emergency Response: It leads
coordination during humanitarian crises,
providing nutrition, vaccines, education,
and psychosocial support to children and
families.
• Administrative Functions: UNICEF’s
executive board and secretariat are based
at headquarters, overseeing governance,
budgeting, and operational management.
Impact and Contributions
• Initially focused on emergency relief,
UNICEF has since played a monumental
role in reducing child mortality rates by over
59% since 1990.
• It has improved access to quality
education, especially for girls, promoted
nutrition and immunization, and worked to
protect children from violence, abuse, and
exploitation.
• UNICEF’s programs have supported
maternal and newborn care, early
childhood development, sanitation, and
HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Its work during emergencies such as
disease outbreaks, conflicts, and natural
disasters has saved millions of lives.
• UNICEF operates with a network of more
than 150 country offices and seven regional
offices to tailor solutions to local needs and
 facilitate cooperation with host
governments.
In conclusion, UNICEF was established in 1946
to meet the emergency needs of children after
World War II and has evolved into a
comprehensive global agency for children's
welfare. The New York headquarters functions
as the administrative and strategic center,
coordinating vast programs and partnerships
worldwide. Its multifaceted roles have helped
protect and improve the lives of millions of
children and mothers historically and continue
to play a critical role in global child welfare
today.