International Organizations

Context: UN cultural and scientific agency UNESCO announced that the United States is planning to re-join and pay more than $600mn in back dues after a decade long dispute sparked by the organisations move to include Palestine as a member. The decision was motivated by the concern that China is filling the gap left by US in UNESCO policy making. The US and Israel have stopped funding UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011 and Trump administration in 2017 decided to withdraw citing Anti-Israel bias and management issues . Before leaving the US contributed 22% of the total funding to UNESCO.

History of UNESCO

As early as 1942, in wartime, the governments of the European countries, which were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME). World War II was far from over, yet those countries were looking for ways and means to rebuild their education systems once peace was restored.

Upon the proposal of CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization (ECO/CONF) was convened in London in November 1945.

Purpose of UNESCO

• UNESCO was originally founded to focus on rebuilding schools, libraries, and museums that had been destroyed in Europe during World War 2. Since then its activities have been mainly facilitative, aimed at assisting, supporting, and complementing the national efforts of member states to eliminate illiteracy and to extend free education.
• In 1972 UNESCO sponsored an international agreement to establish a World Heritage List of cultural sites and natural areas that would enjoy government protection. The sites are designated as having “outstanding universal value” under the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural heritage  Sites include hundreds of historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting.

UNESCO's Areas of Specialization

1. EDUCATION 
2. NATURAL SCIENCES
3. OCEAN SCIENCES
4. SOCIAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES
5. CULTURE
6. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
7. AFRICA
8. GENDER EQUALITY 

Membership of UNESCO

• Membership of UNESCO is governed by Articles II and XV of the Constitution and by rules 98 to 101 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference
•  Membership of the United Nations carries with it the right to membership of UNESCO. 
• States that are not members of United Nations may be admitted to UNESCO, upon recommendation of the Executive Board, by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Conference. 
• All Member States have established a National Commission for UNESCO. The UNESCO National Commissions are national cooperating bodies set up by the Member States for the purpose of associating their governmental and non-governmental bodies with the work of the Organization.
• UNESCO gets its funding from contributions by member states, voluntary contributions, fundraising, and other, smaller sources of funding. 
• Top three contributors being China, Japan and Germany presently.
• UNESCO is funded by two principal means.  The first is a core budget based upon assessed contributions. This core budget is allocated to the biennial programme as agreed at the General Conference.  Each member state pays a percentage of the overall agreed budget, based upon their overall burden share set for the United Nations family of organisations as a whole.  This project covers the payment of the UK share, which is a legal obligation for members. 
• Funding specifically for the conservation of World Heritage Sites includes the World Heritage Fund, composed of obligatory contributions from member countries and voluntary contributions, as well as publications and funds-in-trust donated by countries that have particular goals in mind.

World Heritage Fund

The fund  provides about US$4 million annually to support activities requested by States Parties in need of International assistance. It includes compulsory and voluntary contributions from the States Parties, as well as from private donations.

Rapid Response Facility

The Rapid Response Facility is a small grants programme jointly operated by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the United Nations Foundation and Fauna & Flora International. It aims to protect natural World Heritage sites in times of crisis - and to do so quickly, flexibly and in real time.

IMPORTANT REPORTS 

• Global Education Monitoring Report
• Global Ocean Science Report
• UNESCO State of Education Report for India: Children with Disabilities
• World Trend in freedom of expression and media development

India and UNESCO

• India joined the organisation in 1946 and currently participates in 19 of its conventions.
• There are 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites In India which belongs to cultural, natural and mixed slides.

Context: The United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 concluded in Berlin, Germany in May 2025. More than 130 member states and international partners came together to reaffirm their support for UN Peacekeeping and pledged military and police units. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission

United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025: 

• The Berlin Ministerial is the latest in a series of high-level meetings aimed at galvanising political support and generating tangible commitments to improve UN Peacekeeping. 
• The 2025 Ministerial coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 10-year anniversary of the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping.
• Presently, there are over 61,000 military and police peacekeepers from 119 countries and more than 7,000 civilian personnel serve across 11 Peacekeeping Missions. 

India and UN Peacekeeping Mission: 

• India is currently the fourth largest troop-contributing nation to the UN Peace Keeping missions with 5,375 personnel, after Nepal, Rwanda and Bangladesh.
• In the latest ministerial, India has pledged one Quick Reaction Force Company, one male armed police (Central Reserve Police Force or mixed armed police), one women-led Police Unit, one Counter-Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit IED/EOD Unit, one K9 Unit, and a SWAT Police Unit. 

About UN Peacekeeping

• United Nations Peacekeeping is an essential part of the United Nation’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. It is a unique instrument developed by the UN to help countries torn by conflict create the conditions for lasting peace.
• The primary purpose of missions is to facilitate the implementation of peace agreements, protect civilians, promote human rights, and support the political and peacebuilding processes in post-conflict societies. 
• Peacekeeping operations are deployed to areas where armed conflict has recently ceased or where the threat of renewed conflict exists.
• Peacekeeping missions can include tasks such as monitoring ceasefires, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, promoting human rights, supporting the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants, and helping to rebuild institutions and governance structures.
• It is guided by three basic principles:

• Consent of the parties;
• Impartiality;
• Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

Structure of UN Peacekeeping

• United Nations Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It authorizes the establishment of peacekeeping missions, determines their mandates, and decides on the deployment of peacekeepers.
• Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is responsible for the overall planning, management, and coordination of UN peacekeeping missions. It is headed by the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
• Peacekeeping missions typically consist of military, police, and civilian personnel from contributing countries.
• Special Representatives of the Secretary-General (SRSGs) are appointed by the Secretary-General to lead peacekeeping missions and serve as his/her representatives on the ground. SRSGs have overall authority and responsibility for the mission's implementation and coordination.

Financing of UN Peacekeeping

• The financing of United Nations Peacekeeping operations is a collective responsibility shared by all member states of the United Nations. The expenses of peacekeeping missions are funded through the UN's regular budget and assessed contributions from member states.
• The peacekeeping budget is separate from the UN's regular budget and is based on the estimated costs of individual missions.
• The UN also relies on voluntary contributions from member states and regional organisations to support peacekeeping activities.

Deployment of UN Peacekeeping

• Peacekeeping is flexible and over the past two decades has been deployed in many configurations. There are currently 12 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe.
• For Example: 

• United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) – Africa
• UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – Africa
• UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) – Africa
• UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) – Africa
• UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) – Africa
• UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) – Asia
• UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) – Africa
• UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) – Europe
• UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) – Europe
• UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) - Middle East
• UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) - Middle East
• UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) – Africa

India and UN Peacekeeping

• India has a rich legacy of contribution to UN Peacekeeping operations and is one of the largest contributors of troops. Indian peacekeepers have served in various missions worldwide, including in countries such as Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Haiti, and many others.

• It has contributed approximately 2.75 lakh troops to peacekeeping missions so far and making us the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, both in terms of personnel and resources
• The first commitment was in Korea in 1950. 
• India has actively supported the inclusion and deployment of female peacekeepers for example female engagement teams in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) and UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), besides women staff officers and military observers.

Context: Recently ISO Member Countries resolve to boost consumer engagement, and renew focus on sustainability in Standardisation.

About ISO

•  ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 168 national standards bodies.
• The ISO story began in 1946 when delegates from 25 countries met at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London.
• Its headquarters is based in Geneva Switzerland.
• Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
•  An International Standard provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or for their results, aimed at achieving the optimum degree of order in a given context.
• ISO standards are internationally agreed upon by experts Think of them as a formula that describes the best way of doing something. It provides standards for various sectors like-
  • Quality management
  • Environmental management
  •  Health and Safety
  • Energy management
  • Food safety
  • IT security

Context: India has appealed against the ruling made by dispute settlement body of WTO against the Indian government decision of imposition of tariff on mobile phones and electronic components. The case was filed against India by Japan highlighting that India has violated global trading rules under the Information technology agreement (ITA).

It is to understand that resolving trade disputes is one of the core activities of the WTO.

A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO.

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM UNDER WTO 

• Dispute settlement is a central pillar of Multilateral Trading System and essential for stability and rule of law global economy. 
• Dispute Settlement Body: Settling disputes is the responsibility of Dispute Settlement Body, which consists of all WTO members. Dispute Settlement Body has sole authority to establish 'Panels' of experts to consider the case and to accept or reject the panel's findings or results of an appeal. It monitors implementation of rulings and recommendations and has power to authorize retaliation when a country does not comply with a ruling. 
• First Stage - Consultation: Before taking any other action, countries in dispute talk to each other to see if they can settle their differences by themselves. However, if talks fail, they can ask WTO Director-General to mediate or try to help. 
• Second Stage - Panel: If consultations fail, complaining countries can ask for a panel to be appointed. The country 'in the dock' can block the creation of a panel once, but when Dispute Settlement Body meets for a second time, the panel must be constituted unless there is a consensus against it. The Panel helps the Dispute Settlement Body makes rulings or recommendations. Since the panel's report can only be rejected by consensus in the Dispute Settlement Body, its conclusions are difficult to overturn. The final report of the panel is the ruling or recommendation of Dispute Settlement Body unless a consensus rejects it. Both sides can appeal the report. 
• Appeals to Appellate Body: Appeals must be based on points of law such as legal interpretation. Each appeal is heard by three members of a permanent seven-member Appellate Body set up by the Dispute Settlement Body and broadly representing the range of WTO membership. Members of Appellate Body have four-year terms. Members of Appellate Body are individuals with recognised standing in law and international trade, they are not affiliated with any government. An appeal can uphold, modify or reverse the panel's legal findings. Dispute Settlement Body must accept or reject the appeals report and rejection is possible only by consensus. 

Enforcement of decisions: Priority for enforcement actions brings the policies of losing the country in line with the final ruling of WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) and in a reasonable time. If it fails to act within a period of 30 days, the losing side must enter negotiations with the complaining country to determine a mutually acceptable solution. However, if after 20 days, no satisfactory compensation is agreed upon, the winning side may ask DSB to retaliate. Retaliation is a temporary measure, focused on encouraging the losing country to comply. Ex. Winning side can block imports from the losing country. In principle, the retaliation should be in the same sector as the dispute. However, if this is not effective or practical, it can be in a different sector of the same agreement. However, in serious issues, actions can be taken under another agreement also.

Context: PM Modi during the recent FIPIC summit communicated that Small island nations of the Pacific Ocean are in fact “large ocean states”, highlighting the importance of the 14 members of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). He also spoke in favour of free and open Indo-Pacific region and focused on India’s commitment to assist the development goals of the member-countries.

Mr. Modi also highlighted the close cooperation by explaining Climate change, natural calamities, poverty and famine already existed but now new challenges are emerging as supply chains of food, fuel fertilizer and pharma are facing hurdles. Those we thought were reliable, we came to know they were not standing with us. In this time of difficulty, the old saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed has been proved. From vaccines to medicines, wheat and sugar, India has supplied the countries that needed the items

• He was also conferred the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL), the highest civilian award of Papua New Guinea.
• PM Modi further unveiled a comprehensive 12-step initiative aimed at advancing India's collaborations with the countries in the Pacific region which included FIPIC SME Development Project, Solar project for Government buildings, Provide desalination units for drinking water, Supply sea ambulances, Set up dialysis units, Set up of 24x7 emergency helpline, Set up of Jan Aushadi Kendras, Set up Yoga centres
• At the same time members of the FIPIC highlighted that they are victims of global power play and they want India to advocate for them and sit in those meetings,”. They also urged India to serve as the voice of the Global South in the G-7 and the G-20.
• The recent visit of PM Modi to Papua New Guinea highlights the growing strategic significance of the Pacific Island nations, which have also received attention from China, with the country having signed a security agreement last year with the Solomon Islands.

India and the Pacific Island Nations

• Historically, India’s interaction with the region goes back to the colonial era, in the early 19^th century when Indian workers were taken to the region, to work as indentured plantation labourers, most of whom settled there, particularly in Fiji and PNG.  However in the post-colonial era until recently the region did not find much significance in India’s foreign policy. 
• In the recent times the changing geopolitical scenario and strategic and economic compulsions have driven India to refresh and redesign its Pacific policy.
• India's involvement with these 14 nations aligns with its Act East Policy, and the country has primarily fostered its relationships with them through developmental aid as part of South-South Cooperation.
• The PICs with their resource rich Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) can be attractive sources of natural and mineral resources like LNG and hydrocarbons to fuel India’s growing economy and can also provide new markets for its products. Some of the PICs have EEZs that are larger than the landmass and EEZ of India taken together.
• Further India with its rising naval capabilities begins to look beyond the east of Malacca, the PIC’s would become inevitably significant in India’s broader maritime strategy. 
• However, India’s interaction with the PICs still largely revolves around its engagement with Fiji and PNG, mainly driven by the presence of sizeable Indian Diaspora

• Nearly 40 percent of Fiji’s population is of Indian origin and about 3000 Indians live in PNG.
• In terms of institutional engagements, India participates in the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) as one of the key dialogue partners of the Forum.
• The most important development in facilitating India’s interaction with the PICs in recent years has been the formation of FIPIC.
• In 2019 PM Modi announced US$12 million grant (US$ 1 million to each PSIDS) towards the implementation of high impact developmental project in the area of their choice
• There was also announcement made for a concessional Line of Credit of US$150 million which can be availed by these countries for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects based on their requirements.
• An ‘India-Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference’, was also organized in Fiji 2017. The conference focused on discussing the issues including the blue economy, adaptation-mitigation practices for climate change, disaster preparedness and health
• In 2017, India launched Climate Early Warning Systems in seven PICs. India has regularly provided assistance in these counties to deal with consequences of frequent cyclones like the relief and rehabilitation grant was provided when Tropical Cyclone Hola hit Vanuatu in 2018.
• India has also offered a Line of Credit set up a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and the distribution centre in the Pacific Island region for access to affordable drug and has 
• Further, India has provided financial assistance for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in these countries, helping many small scale entrepreneurs to develop their own business.
• At this moment, total annual trade of about $300 million between the Indian and Pacific Island countries, whereas exports are around $200 million and imports are around $100 million.

Recent Developments in the region:

Located between the US, China and Australia, the Pacific island countries hold strategic importance for security and defence. The US has long maintained influence and a military presence in the Pacific region. Over the last decade, China has focused on strengthening its ties in Pacific through increased aid development, diplomacy and security cooperation.

• The area gained prominence when in 2022, Solomon Islands signed a security pact sparking international concern over the possibility of Beijing building its first military base in the region.
• China has also signed off on a variety of smaller bilateral agreements during the same tour. To counter the move, newly appointed Australian Foreign Minister, immediately travelled to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to shore up Australian diplomatic interests in Oceania
• ISOLATION OF TAIWAN: Strategist are of the opinion that China would use the island countries to further isolate Taiwan from the diplomatic support it receives from the region. 

• Several countries in Oceania (The Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and Tuvalu) recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country. Chinese outreach and development manoeuvrings could therefore help them reduce regional support for Taiwanese independence. 
• As a testimony to this Honiara has recently cut ties with Taiwan and followed Beijing’s line on the “One China” policy. The “Inter-governmental Framework Agreement on Security Cooperation” between Beijing-Honiara is a culmination of these efforts.

• ISOLATION OF AUSTRALIA: Increased Chinese influence in the region could lead to more overseas military bases being built, and could lead to Australia, a vital Pacific ally for the United States, to be isolated, cutting them from supply lines from overseas.
• THE ZERO SUM GAME IN PACIFIC: China’s engagement with South Pacific is about increasing its influence and about diminishing American and Australian influence. It’s a zero-sum game. Australia has a security cooperation agreement with Honiara and is a preferred security provider. Australia went from being a “key security provider” to becoming “one of the options” to seek out.
• GREAT GAME IN PACIFIC: The US’ posture and initiatives in Indo-Pacific are also worrying China. US’ Indo-Pacific strategy outlines that it is keen to focus on “every corner of the region including the Pacific Islands. Further the formation of Quad and US’ Indo-Pacific strategy have worried China, so this game of influence will further intensify.

• REGIONAL ECONOMICS: The Pacific region is also an important route to transport products and natural resources. Further the exports from Australia (as Australia supplies critical minerals like that of iron ore, coal, and raw cotton and exports to important allies like Australia and other countries like New Zealand pass through this sea area. 
• CLIMATE HAZARDS: Many Pacific Island nations are worried of the impact of climate change and rising sea levels, which pose an immediate existential threat. In fact, the Fijian Defence Minister, in the recent Shangri-La Dialogues that the greatest threat to the region is not a conflict between China and the U.S., but rather the geopolitical effects of climate change.

CONCLUSION: 

As two geopolitical superpowers start to compete for political dominance in the region, the region as a whole now risks being dragged into conflicts, being used as pawns in broader global ambitions, and at the worst, could see themselves as the site of an armed conflict.

Context: Prime Minister of India has gone to Papua New Guinea to attend the 3^rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit.

About Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC)

The Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was launched during Hon'ble Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi's visit to Fiji in November 2014.

Member Islands: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

India's focus has largely been on the Indian Ocean where it has sought to play a major role and protect its strategic and commercial interests. The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to expand India's engagement in the Pacific region.

At this moment, total annual trade of about $300 million between the Indian and Pacific Island countries, whereas exports are around $200 million and imports are around $100 million.

Areas of Cooperation: 

• Special USD one million fund for adapting to climate change and clean energy,
• Establishing a trade office in India. 
• Pan Pacific Islands e-network to improve digital connectivity. 
• Extending visa on arrival at Indian airports for all the 14 Pacific Island countries.
• Cooperation in space technology applications for improving the quality of life of the islands, and training to diplomats from Pacific Island countries. 
• In addition, India has increased the annual "Grant-in-Aid" from USD 125,000 to 200,000 to each of the 14 Pacific Countries for community projects of their choice, and launched a new Visitors Programme for Pacific Island Countries.
• The second summit of the Forum for India Pacific Cooperation (FIPIC-2) in Jaipur on 21-22 August 2015 has made significant progress in strengthening India's engagement with the 14 Pacific Island countries.
• During the second summit of FIPIC, Hon'ble Prime Minister has announced FIPIC Trade Office at Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to promote Trade & Investment opportunities between India & Pacific Island Countries.

The main objectives of the business accelerator are:

• Provide necessary information and facilitation to businessmen on both sides regarding prospects of Trade and Investment
• Facilitate meetings between the concerned businessmen from both sides
• Exchange of business delegations between India and Pacific Islands Countries (PICs)
• Online & Offline Match Making Services
• Organising Events/ Trade Fairs

Context: In the final report released by the expert group setup by WMO  highlighted a general negative association between temperature and Covid 19 transmission. The expert group was setup in 2020 to assess whether meteorological factors like heat and humidity had any role to play in transmission of Covid 19 virus.

About WMO

• WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with 193 Member States and Territories.
• It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.

Origin

• WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873 to facilitate the exchange of weather information across national borders.
• Established in 1950, the WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951. Its mandate is in the areas of meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
• It has fostered collaboration between the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of its Members and furthered the application of meteorology in many areas.
• In collaboration with other United Nations agencies and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, WMO supports the implementation of a number of environmental conventions and is instrumental in providing advice and assessments to governments on related matters. These activities contribute towards ensuring the sustainable development and well-being of nations.

Governance Structure

• Secretariat: The Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, is headed by the Secretary-General.
• In June 2019, the World Meteorological Congress approved a reform of the WMO governance and a vision for 2030 as well as other changes that called for an overhaul of the structure of the Secretariat. One of the most important changes implemented thus far is the creation of a Board of Directors.
• WMO undertakes this task through the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of its Members, which own and operate the systems for collecting, processing and analysing information from thousands of observation systems, including satellites and ships. It also ask Services to develop climate change detection tools and software to compute indices that reflect the best estimate of climate trends within the countries.
• WMO issues Annual, Five-Year and Decadal Statements on the Status of the Global Climate. These statements document extreme weather and climate events in the regional context and provide a historical perspective on the variability and trends of climate, particularly surface temperatures that have occurred since the 19th century.
• India is a member of WMO. It has been the member since 1949 and India’s permanent representative is the head Director General of Meteorology of the IMD.

WMO reports

1. Green House Gas Bulletin 
2. Status of World Climate