Inside the UN: Meet the Agencies That Run the World

Summary of Episode 6: When most people think of the UN, they imagine peacekeeping forces or big speeches at the General Assembly. But the real, everyday impact of the UN comes from its specialised agencies. These are the parts of the UN that vaccinate children, deliver food, protect refugees, and preserve culture around the world.

In this episode of IR Unfiltered, we explore the agencies that are often hidden but absolutely essential.

We start with UNICEF, which works in over 190 countries to ensure every child has access to education, clean water, and healthcare, especially during emergencies. Then there’s WHO, the World Health Organisation, which sets global health standards and responds to disease outbreaks.

UNESCO focuses on education, science, and culture, and it also protects famous World Heritage Sites like the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. WFP, the World Food Programme, delivers food to people facing hunger during crises. UNDP, the United Nations Development Programme, works on long-term poverty reduction and climate action. And UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, helps people forced to flee their homes due to war or disaster.

We also examine the UN’s five regional commissions, which are based in Bangkok, Addis Ababa, Geneva, Santiago, and Beirut. Each one helps localise global goals and provides regional solutions to development challenges.

If you’ve ever wondered what the UN really does on the ground, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn more, and stay curious with IR Unfiltered.