International Seabed Authority

The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Authority is the organization through which States Parties to the Convention shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in | Part XI and the Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.

The Authority, which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence on 16 November 1994, upon the entry into force of the 1982 Convention. The first Secretary-General of the Authority, Satya Nandan (Fiji) was elected in March 1996, and the Authority became fully operational as an autonomous international organization in June 1996, when it took over the premises and facilities in Kingston, Jamaica previously used by the United Nations Kingston Office for the Law of the Sea. Meetings of the Authority are held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The International Seabed Authority web site contains detailed information on the organs of the Authority, including the Assembly, Council, Legal and Technical Commission, Finance Committee and the Secretariat. The site also includes a full list of documents issued by the Authority at each of its sessions, and the full text of selected documents. Press releases are available for the latest session and links are provided to some of the most important law of the sea documents. The web site will be updated on a regular basis and it is the intention of the Authority eventually to provide access to non-confidential information relating to deep seabed exploration through these web pages.

http://www.isa.org.jm/en/default.htm

The Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the principal source of multilateral financing for economic, social and institutional development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. These include policy and sector reform programs and support for public and private investment. The Bank provides loans and technical assistance using capital provided by its member countries, as well as resources obtained in world capital markets through bond issues. The Bank also promotes and participates in a significant number of project cofinancing arrangements with other multilateral, bilateral and private organizations. In its four decades of operations, the Bank has helped to transform Latin America and the Caribbean. Although much remains to be done, the region's social and economic indicators have improved significantly in such areas as literacy, nutrition and life expectancy.

http://www.iadb.org/info/bfingles/overview1.htm

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)

About IICA

What is IICA?

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency for agriculture and rural well-being of the inter-American system.

Founded 60 years ago, it has 34 Member States, offices in every one of them and Headquarters in Costa Rica.

How is the Institute governed?

The Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), IICA’s governing body, is made up of its Member States. It holds regular meetings every two years. The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), at its Thirtieth Sessions, gave the IABA a new dimension and recognized it as the primary ministerial forum for analyzing and building consensus on policies and strategic priorities for the improvement of agriculture and rural life in the hemisphere.

In addition, in the Declaration and the Plan of Action adopted at the Third Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Government extended the Institute’s role beyond that of providing technical cooperation services, asking it to promote dialogue and consensus building on issues that are critical to agricultural development, the environment and the rural milieu, within the framework of efforts to promote integration and hemispheric prosperity.

The auxiliary organ of the IABA is the Executive Committee. It is composed of representatives of 12 Member States, chosen on the basis of a system of partial rotation and equitable geographic distribution to serve two-year terms. The Executive Committee holds regular yearly meetings.

The General Directorate is the Institute’s executive organ. It comprises all the executive, technical and administrative units of the organization, and is headed by the Director General. Dr. Chelston W. D. Brathwaite, a native of Barbados, is serving in that capacity for the 2002-2006 period.

To provide its cooperation services, IICA works in strategic partnerships with national, regional and international institutions, both public and private, linking its Northern, Caribbean, Central, Andean and Southern Regions through its network of offices in 34 countries in the hemisphere.

When was IICA founded?

The Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IICA) was founded on October 7, 1942. Its headquarters were situated in the city of Turrialba, Costa Rica; its first Director General was Dr. Earl N. Bressman and its first Secretary, Mr. Jose L. Colom.

On March 19, 1943, Henry Wallace, Vice President of the United States of America, placed the first stone of the building in Turrialba, before an audience that included Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia, the President of Costa Rica.

Which are its member countries?

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas (Commonwealth of), Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

IICA currently has a permanent office for Europe in Madrid. Spain is an Associate Member of the Institute.

What are the strategic areas of IICA’s cooperation?

• Trade and Agribusiness Development
• Technological Innovation
• Agricultural Health and Food Safety
• Sustainable Rural Development
• Information and Communication
• Education and Training

Vision:

To transform the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) into a development agency that promotes the sustainable development of agriculture, food security and the prosperity of rural communities in the Americas.

Mission:

To support the efforts of the Member States to achieve progress and prosperity in the hemisphere, through the modernization of the rural sector, the promotion of food security and the development of an agricultural sector that is competitive, technologically prepared, environmentally managed and socially equitable for the peoples of the Americas.

What are IICA’s objectives?

Some of its objectives are:

• To support the efforts of the countries of the hemisphere to promote integration, cooperation and participation in the global economy
  
• To support the efforts of the Member States to guarantee food safety and the elimination of sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to trade
  
• To support agroindustrial and agribusiness development through the adoption of new technologies and modern business practices, to make firms more competitive and foster the development of a global environment that favors agribusinesses
  
• To promote sustainable rural development and the sustainable use of natural resources for present and future generations
  
• To support the efforts of the ministries of agriculture to transform their role, structure and functions, so as to be able to meet the new challenges posed by globalization and the modernization of the state apparatus
  
• To support the transformation of agricultural education, in order to train scientists, technicians and entrepreneurs who will be able to effectively develop and reposition agriculture.

http://www.iica.int/eliica/

The Organization of American States

Description

The Hopes of a New Century

The nations of the Americas are working more closely together than ever before – strengthening democracy, advancing human rights, promoting peace and security, expanding trade and tackling complex problems caused by poverty, drugs and corruption. Together we are building a better future for the next generation.

At the outset of a new century and a new millennium, the challenge is how to turn citizens’ high expectations into reality. The Organization of American States (OAS) is playing a central role in working toward many of the goals that are shared by the countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Through the Summit of the Americas process, the hemisphere’s heads of state and government have given the OAS important responsibilities and mandates, including:

• Strengthening freedom of speech and thought as a basic human right;
  
• Promoting greater participation by civil society in decision-making at all levels of government.
  
• Improving cooperation to address the problem of illegal drugs; and
  
• Supporting the process to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas.

A Shared Vision

This is a time of unprecedented opportunity in the Americas. In the 1990s the region left behind the divisions of the Cold War and moved toward greater agreement and closer cooperation. The OAS Charter was reformed to reflect the hemisphere’s strengthened commitment to representative democracy. In recent years the Organization has adopted landmark conventions against corruption, illegal arms trafficking and violence against women. Here are some of the Organization’s priorities:

Strengthening democracy -- The OAS has sent electoral observation missions to monitor more than 45 elections around the hemisphere, helping to ensure transparency and integrity of the voting process. It helps member states strengthen their electoral, municipal and legislative institutions and carry out education programs to promote democratic values and practices.

Building on peace -- Special OAS missions have supported the peace process in Nicaragua, Suriname, Haiti and Guatemala. The OAS is also leading the effort to remove land mines in Central America, with the technical support of the Inter-American Defense Board. The program, which has received funding, equipment and personnel support from 19 OAS member or observer states, has resulted in the destruction of thousands of antipersonnel mines in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Defending human rights -- The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, based in Washington, D.C., and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, located in San José, Costa Rica, together provide recourse to people who have suffered human rights violations. The Commission also reports on the status of human rights in member countries and focuses attention on specific issues such as freedom of expression, the rights of indigenous peoples and women’s rights.

Fostering free trade -- The OAS is providing technical support in economic integration efforts, working with the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement by 2005, as mandated under the Summit of the Americas process. The OAS has paid special attention to ensuring that the concerns of smaller economies are taken into account.

Combating drugs -- The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission works with member countries to strengthen laws, provide training in prevention programs, promote alternative development, improve law enforcement and stem the illegal trafficking of narcotics and related chemicals and arms. Acting on a mandate from the Summit of the Americas, the Commission has been developing a multilateral evaluation tool to measure the progress that individual countries and the region as a whole are making in meeting anti-drug goals.

Promoting sustainable development -- The OAS, supported by substantial outside funding, carries out technical cooperation programs to address the needs of members states in such areas as river basin management, biodiversity conservation, planning for global climate change and natural disaster mitigation. The OAS is also working to improve the exchange of information and citizen participation in decision-making about how to protect the environment and manage natural resources.

An Effective Partnership

Made up of 35 member states, the OAS is the region’s premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action. With four official languages -- English, Spanish, French and Portuguese -- the Organization reflects the rich diversity of peoples and cultures across the Americas.

Each member state has one vote. Major policies and directions are established by the General Assembly, which once a year brings together the hemisphere’s foreign ministers. The Permanent Council, which meets regularly at OAS headquarters in Washington, handles ongoing political and administrative issues. Each member country appoints an ambassador to sit on the Permanent Council. The Inter-American Council for Integral Development focuses on promoting economic development and combating poverty.

The OAS General Secretariat carries out the programs and policies set by the General Assembly and the councils. Specialized units focus on such areas as trade, sustainable development, education and promotion of democracy. The Office of Summit Follow-Up was created to coordinate tasks assigned to the Organization by the hemisphere’s leaders.

At OAS headquarters, the Art Museum of the Americas and the Columbus Memorial Library promote culture and education. Also under the OAS umbrella are several specialized organizations: the Inter-American Children's Institute; the Inter-American Commission of Women; the Pan American Institute of Geography and History; the Inter-American Indian Institute; the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; and the Pan American Health Organization.

OAS History at a Glance

On April 30, 1948, 21 nations of the hemisphere met in Bogota, Colombia, to adopt the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), which affirmed their commitment to common goals and respect for each nation’s sovereignty. Since then, the OAS has expanded to include the nations of the Caribbean, as well as Canada.

The principles that embody the OAS grew out of a history of regional cooperation dating back to the 19th century.

• In 1826, Simón Bolívar convened the Congress of Panama with the idea of creating an association of states in the hemisphere.
  
• In 1890, the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., established the International Union of American Republics and its secretariat, the Commercial Bureau of the American Republics—the forerunner of the OAS.
  
• In 1910, this organization became the Pan American Union.
  
• In 1948, at the Ninth International American Conference, participants signed the OAS Charter and the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, the first international expression of human rights principles.

The transition from the Pan American Union to the OAS was smooth. The Director General of the former, Alberto Lleras Camargo, became the first Secretary General of the OAS.

http://www.oas.org/

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children.

We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness.

We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We involve everyone in creating protective environments for children. We are present to relieve suffering during emergencies, and wherever children are threatened, because no child should be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation.

UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security. We work to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children.

We are part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child. Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

We are more than 7,000 people working in 158 countries around the world. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

History

UNICEF was established on 11 December 1946 by the United Nations to meet the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe and China. Its full name was the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

In 1950, its mandate was broadened to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere. UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations system in 1953, when its name was shortened to the United Nations Children's Fund. However, UNICEF retained its original acronym.

http://www.unicef.org/about/who/index.html

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

WHAT IS PAHO?

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with 100 years of experience working to improve health and living standards of the people of the Americas. It enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system, serving as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, and as the health organization of the Inter-American System.

PAHO is based in Washington, D.C., and has scientific and technical experts at its headquarters, in its 27 country offices, and its eight scientific centers, all working with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in dealing with priority health issues. The health authorities of PAHO's Member States set PAHO's technical and administrative policies through its Governing Bodies. PAHO Member States include all 35 countries in the Americas; Puerto Rico is an Associate Member. France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are Participating States, and Portugal and Spain are Observer States.

The Organization's essential mission is to strengthen national and local health systems and improve the health of the peoples of the Americas, in collaboration with Ministries of Health, other government and international agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, social security agencies, community groups, and many others.

PAHO promotes primary health care strategies, which reach people in their communities, to extend health services to all and to increase efficiency in the use of scarce resources. It assists countries in fighting old diseases that have re-emerged, such as cholera, dengue and tuberculosis, and new diseases such as the spreading AIDS epidemic, providing technical cooperation including education and social communications support, promoting work with non-governmental organizations, and support for programs to prevent transmission of communicable diseases. The Organization is also involved in prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, which are increasingly affecting the populations of developing countries in the Americas.

In its efforts to improve health, PAHO targets the most vulnerable groups including mothers and children, workers, the poor, the elderly, and refugees and displaced persons. It focuses on issues related to equity for those who lack access to health, and on a Panamerican approach encouraging countries to work together on common issues.

PAHO and its Member Countries are committed to improving the safety of blood in the Americas, launching a blood safety initiative designed to ensure that all blood for transfusion is free of disease and to increase the number of volunteer blood donors.

A major priority for the Americas is cutting infant mortality, and PAHO is mobilizing new political, institutional and financial resources to prevent an additional 25,000 infant deaths every year through application of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness strategy, a simple and practical approach in which primary health care workers are taught a complete process to evaluate the health status of children brought to a health post or clinic. They learn to recognize signs of disease and evaluate and treat them. They learn to give parents information on how to prevent disease in the home. If they see danger signs indicating the infant could die, they are taught to treat the child immediately or take him or her to a hospital.

Its Governing Bodies have mandated PAHO to move aggressively in the fight to reduce the use of tobacco, emphasizing the health aspects and the high cost to the countries of tobacco use. It also continues to emphasize the approach of health promotion as applied to people and not an abstract construct.

Improvement of drinking water supplies, adequate sanitation, and increased access to health care for the poor are still top priorities for PAHO, with a focus on equity. The Organization is intensifying its efforts to have countries know the true state of health of their populations and where the inequalities lie. Program efforts focus on correcting inequality, taking into account decentralization and change of state functions, on showing that health has a role to play in the success of other sectors, and on how attention to health affects positively other aspects of human development. Advocacy in this area is also directed to reducing pernicious ge