International economic organizations: concept, classification and main functions. The main international economic organizations What is the essence of international economic organizations

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION ORGANIZATIONS The two main international trade union organizations are the European Trade Union Confederation and the International Trade Union Confederation. None of them currently have great influence in the United Kingdom,

International economic organizations in the field of foreign trade began to develop in the 20th century. During this period, the productive forces of society, the social division of labor go beyond national borders, the importance of international economic relations grows.

The growth of international trade after the 2nd World War (from 1950 to 1947 the world foreign trade turnover increased 10 times) led to the creation of new international organizations (both within the UN and outside it), the main direction of which is the search for ways of a universal settlement international economic relations, and first of all international trade, in view of their special significance. The number of international organizations reached by 1977 three thousand.

International organizations are a stable institution of multilateral international relations, created in most cases by at least three states and having goals, competence and permanent bodies agreed upon by its participants, as well as other specific political and organizational institutional norms, including the charter, procedure, membership, decision-making procedure, etc. .

Among the international economic organizations should be distinguished: interstate (intergovernmental), whose members are states; non-governmental, whose members are certain domestic organizations or bodies, public organizations or private individuals.

In addition, international economic organizations should be distinguished:

by the nature of their activities: permanent (such organizations are created on the basis of economic agreements); temporary (i.e. operating in the process of convened conferences, meetings);

by level of competence: organizations competent in general issues of international trade; organizations competent for certain types of goods.

The main permanent intergovernmental organization is the UN (founded in 1945). According to the charter, the UN is called upon to carry out international cooperation in order to resolve global economic problems(Article 1) “with the aim of creating conditions for stability and well-being”, with the aim of “promoting living standards, economic development and progress in the world”.

Economic cooperation is dealt with by the highest body of the UN - the General Assembly and the ECOSOC (economic and social council) led by it.

The UN General Assembly is usually convened in session once a year and, as needed, in special and emergency sessions, the GA organizes studies and makes recommendations to states to promote international cooperation in the economic, social and other fields (Article 13 of the Charter) The GA exercises leadership functions for in relation to ECOSOC, its recommendations to the Council are binding (Articles 60, 66 of the Charter). ECOSOC consists of 54 members, one third of which is re-elected by the GA annually, ECOSOC meets in its sessions twice a year. ECOSOC is called upon to solve specific problems of international economic cooperation. According to the UN Charter, the functions of ECOSOC include conducting various kinds of research and reports on international issues in the areas of economic, social, culture, education, health and similar issues. Within the framework of the Council, draft international agreements and conventions are developed, which are subsequently submitted for approval to the GA. The functions of ECOSOC also include coordinating the activities of the UN specialized agencies with which it concludes special agreements, as well as managing regional economic commissions.

The activities of ECOSOC are carried out through a number of its subsidiary organizations, committees and commissions.

The following regional economic commissions operate under the direction of the Economic and Social Council:

The European Economic Commission (Economic Commission for Europe) was established in 1947 for a period of 5 years to provide effective assistance to European countries devastated by the Second World War. Then the term of this commission was extended for an indefinite period. The supreme body of the commission is the plenary sessions (convened once a year). The permanent body of the Commission is the Secretariat. The Secretariat has departments: plans and research, industrial, transport, trade and intermediary. There are ten committees within the Commission: on ferrous metallurgy; by coal; for electricity; on industry and inland transport; by labor force; By housing issue; for the development of foreign trade and others.

Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific Ocean(ESCAP), established in 1947 as a temporary organization. In 1952 the commission was reorganized into a permanent one. The highest body in the Commission is the plenary sessions (convened once a year). The permanent body is the Secretariat, consisting of the departments of industry and trade, transport and communications, social issues, studies and plans. ESCAP includes: Committee on Industry and Natural Resources, Committee on Inland Transport and Communications Committee on Trade. With the participation of ESCAP, projects were developed and (the work on their implementation is being coordinated): the construction of a trans-Asian railway, the construction of a trans-Asian highway through 15 countries;

Economic Commission for Latin America(EKLA), founded in 1948, registered permanently in 1951. Its members are 20 states of Latin America. The supreme and permanent bodies of the Commission are, respectively, the plenary sessions and the Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of six departments. With the participation of ECLA, the Latin American Economic System (LAES) was created;

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Created at the XXV session of ECOSOC (1958) by decision of the UN General Assembly (XII session 11/26/1957) Functions, supreme and permanent bodies are similar to other economic commissions. ECA has developed a number of projects for the construction of the trans-African, trans-Saharan and East African highways;

The Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) focused on the research form of activity, summarizing and forecasting trends and prospects for the development of individual countries in the region. In particular, the practice of TNCs in the oil industry of the region is studied.

An important subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly is the Commission on International Trade (UNISTRAL), which works to promote and unify the rights of international trade. In particular, she developed the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, adopted at the UN conference in 1980.

One of the most significant UN bodies dealing with the problems of economic cooperation is UNCTAD - the UN Conference on Trade and Development was established in 1964 as a body of the UN General Assembly. Created as an auxiliary body of the GA, it has long since grown into an independent autonomous organization with numerous subsidiary bodies. The supreme body of UNCTAD is the session of the conference (meets once every three to four years). Between sessions, the conference operates in the form of the Council for Trade and Development (meets twice a year). The Council has seven standing committees: on commodities; on industrial goods; on preferences; invisible items and trade-related finance; for maritime transport; on Technology Transfer and Economic Cooperation of Developing Countries, as well as four working groups.

In the resolution of the UN General Assembly, which established UNCTAD, its functions were formulated as follows:

1) encouragement of international trade, especially from the point of view of accelerating economic development, in particular trade between countries at different levels of development...;

2) establishing principles and policies relating to international trade and related issues of economic development;

4) reviewing and promoting the coordination of the activities of other agencies within the UN system...;

5) taking, if necessary, measures in cooperation with the competent UN bodies for the negotiation and approval of multilateral legal acts in the field of trade...;

6) harmonization of the policy of governments and regional economic groupings in the field of trade...;

7) consideration of any other issues within the competence:

Already the first Conference (UNCTAD-1) adopted the "Principles of international trade relations and trade policy" prepared by the USSR, Poland and Czechoslovakia. This document was extremely importance for the development within the framework of UNCTAD "Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States" (1974)

UNCTAD VI adopted a resolution on no economic coercion, which condemned the policies and practices of trade restrictions, blockades, embargoes and other economic sanctions.

UNCTAD IV developed and adopted international agreements natural rubber, cocoa, sugar, tropical wood, jute, tin. An Agreement on the Establishment of a Common Fund for Commodities has been developed and adopted.

UNCTAD conferences were held: in Geneva - in 1964 (UNCTAD-I), New Delhi - 1968 (UNCTAD-II), Santiago de Chile - 1973 (UNCTAD-III), Nairobi - 1976. (UNCTAD-IV), Manila - 1979 (UNCTAD-V), Belgrade - 1983 (UNCTAD - VI), Geneva - 1987 (UNCTAD-VII).

The nature of UNCTAD's activities, its structure, universality, scope of competencies, the nature of the documents adopted give every reason to consider it as a "permanent international organization".

The headquarters of UNCTAD is located in Geneva.

UNIDO - the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - was established in 1956 to promote the industrialization of developing countries. In 1985, it acquired the status of a specialized agency of the United Nations. The supreme body of UNIDO is the General Conference, convened once every four years, the governing body is the Industrial Development Board, which meets once a year. The Council consists of 45 members elected by the General Conference for a term of three years on the basis of the principle of equitable geographical representation. The Standing Committee, which is a subsidiary body of the Council, meets twice a year. The Secretariat - the administrative body of UNIDO is located in Vienna (Austria). The Secretary General of UNIDO, upon the recommendation of the Council, is approved by the General Conference for a term of four years. The governing bodies also include the Program and Budget Committee. Since 1981, an information bank on industry and technology has been functioning.

The founding documents of the organization - the Lima Declaration and the Action Plan for Industrial Development and Cooperation, adopted in 1975, contain important provisions aimed at implementing such principles of the NIEP and international economic law as asserting sovereignty over their own natural resources and all economic activities, etc. At the General Conference of UNIDO in 1980 in Delhi, the Declaration and Action Plan for further industrialization were developed and adopted within the framework of the international development strategy of the United Nations for the third decade.

The establishment of equal international economic cooperation in the field of science and technology should be promoted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which is called upon to assist developing countries in establishing national systems for the protection of industrial property and copyright.

In addition to the above, the following UN specialized agencies can also be mentioned: the International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Among the monetary institutions of the UN stand out: the International Monetary Fund (IFB) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), as well as the International Finance Corporation - IFC and the International Development Association - IDA. All these organizations are of an intergovernmental nature, have the status of UN specialized agencies, i.e. The UN cannot make recommendations regarding the policies and main directions of their activities.

The IMF and IBRD - the largest international monetary and credit organizations - were created on the basis of agreements adopted by the Bretton Woods Conference (USA) in 1944. As of January 1, 1990, 151 states were members of each organization; currently the Russian Federation is also a member of these organizations. The IMF and IBRD are specialized agencies of the UN, they have agreements on relations with the UN (since 1947)

The objectives of the IMF are to coordinate the monetary and financial policies of member countries and provide them with loans to adjust balance of payments and maintain exchange rates.

The main goal of the IBRD is to promote the reconstruction and development of the territories of the member states by encouraging investment for industrial purposes.

IFC (established in 1956 as a branch of the IBRD; as of January 1, 1990 - 133 members) is engaged in financing mainly multinational projects involving local and foreign capital, provides loans on favorable terms and without government guarantees.

IDA (established in 1960 as a branch of the IBRD, as of January 1, 1995 - 137 members) provides interest-free loans (to developing countries) on more favorable terms than the IBRD. The loan term is 40 years for the least developed countries (according to the UN official list) and 35 years for the rest.

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) - this is the largest intergovernmental trade agreement was adopted in 1948 as an interim agreement. Initially, the participating countries worked on the draft Charter of the trade organization (WTO), which remained unratified.

The set of rules that collectively make up the multilateral trading system known as the GATT consists of the General Agreement itself (38 articles) as well as later GATT is the settlement of international trade disputes.

GATT members are 110 states, the Russian Federation has the status of an observer.

The headquarters of the GATT is located in Geneva (Switzerland). The supreme body of the GATT is the sessions of the Contracting Parties held on an annual basis.

Within the framework of the GATT, 7 rounds of multilateral trade negotiations were held, during which it was carried out, successively, the rates of customs tariffs of the participating countries, agreements were developed on issues of standards and other non-tariff measures for regulating foreign trade, public procurement, trade in civil aircraft and textile goods.

The result of negotiations within the framework of the "Uruguay Round" of GATT is the General Agreement on Trade and Services - GATS. the largest economic and political organization Europe is the European Union (EU), created on the basis of the European Communities: the European Economic Community (EEC); the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURAATOM), created in accordance with the Paris (1951 - ECSC) and two Rome treaties (1957). In 1987, these treaties were supplemented by the Single European Act, and on February 7, 1992, the member states of the European Community signed the European Union Treaty (Maa Treaty), and on November 1, 1993, it entered into force.

The European Union includes 12 countries: Germany, France, Italy., Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg (founders), Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain (entered in 1973-1986).

One of the objectives of the Treaty is to ensure the effective operation of EU mechanisms and institutions.

In accordance with the Treaty, the main objectives of the Union are considered to be the following:

promote economic and social progress by creating a space without internal boundaries...;

assert their status and appointment in the international arena;

to strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of the citizens of the states by introducing citizenship of the Union;

develop close cooperation in the field of justice and internal affairs;

maintain and, where necessary, revise and improve the system of communications and relationships.

The most important features of the cooperation procedure is the transition to the coordination of positions by passing the project "shuttle" between the commission. Council, the EP and granting the EP (European Parliament) the right to veto on the established range of issues (Article 189 of the EEC Statute).

The main executive body of the Council is the EU Commission. The highest body of the EU is the European Council, consisting of the heads of state and government of the member countries of the Community.

The European Parliament is elected directly by the citizens of the EU member states on the basis of universal and direct suffrage. Based on the above, international economic organizations can be classified on the following grounds:

1. The form of a constituent act (on the basis of treaties; international acts other than treaties (UNCTAD, established by the UN General Assembly); not having a single formal legal act (GATT);

2. Scope of powers - ordinary and supranational (EU);

3. The order of access - limited (for reasons of regional or other nature) and unlimited ("open").

An important factor characterizing international economic organizations (MEOEWG) is the “nature of membership”, showing the differences between IEWG with a single status of UN member states and MEWG with different categories of member states (FAO, GATT, OPEC). Art. II of the FAO Constitution distinguishes between Plenipotentiary and Associate Members, the latter cannot hold any office and participate in voting (Article III).

The species diversity of the MEORG can be seen in the analysis of the subject of their activities. The areas of competence are:

1. Organizations of general competence dealing with e. including economic issues (UN, OEA);

2. Economic Integration Organizations (EU);

3. General economic organizations coordinating the economic policy of the member states in all major areas of economic cooperation;

4. Specialized MEORG:

a) trade organizations (UNCTAD); international commodity organizations (International Cocoa Organization); organizations of exporting countries (OPEC);

b) monetary and financial organizations (IMF, IBRD);

c) bodies in the field of investments (International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes);

d) organizations in the field of agricultural cooperation (FAO);

e) organizations in the field of industrial cooperation (UNIDO);

f) organizations in the field of transport and communications (Universal Postal Union);

g) other organizations carrying out activities of an economic nature (World Intellectual Property Organization).

Modern MEORGS use various decision-making procedures:

The classification makes it possible to see the false organized system of the MEORG from different points of view, to highlight their general and specific properties, which determine the diversity of species.

Conclusion:

The growing importance and complexity of international economic relations make it necessary to strengthen their management by the joint efforts of states through international organizations, which leads to an increase in the number of international organizations and their role in the development of economic interstate cooperation. As a result, international organizations are important subjects of international economic law.

International organizations operating in the sphere of economic relations can be divided into two groups. The first includes organizations that, by their action, cover the entire sphere of economic relations; the second group includes organizations operating within certain sub-sectors of international economic law (for example, trade, financial, investment, transport and others).

Conclusion

The complexity of the object of regulation of international economic law lies in the fact that it covers diverse, differing in content types of relations associated with various aspects of economic relations. These include trade, transport, customs, financial, investment and other relations. Each of them has its own specific content, which gives rise to the need for special legal regulation, resulting in the formation of sub-branches of international economic law: international trade law; international transport law; international customs law; international financial law, international investment law, international technological law.

Each sub-sector is a system of international legal norms governing interstate cooperation in a specific area of ​​economic relations. All of them are combined into a single branch of international law - international economic law - a common object of regulation, common goals and principles. In addition, a number of institutions of international economic law are elements of other branches of international law: the law of international organizations, the law of treaties, the law of peaceful resolution of international disputes, etc.

The vital interests of Russia depend on the solution of economic problems. Approved by the Decree of the President "State Strategy economic security The Russian Federation “reasonably proceeds from the need to effectively realize the advantages of the international division of labor, sustainable development of the country in the context of its equal integration into world economic relations. Without ensuring economic security, it is practically impossible to solve any of the tasks facing the country, both domestically and internationally.

See: Grabar V.E. Materials for the history of the literature of international law in Russia (1647 - 1917). M.: Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 1958.

Nigerian professor T.Elaeyes writes that modern international law“has its origins since the end of the Second World War, most notably with the advent of the United Nations.” American professor J. Kunz, Indian chief judge R. Patak and others wrote about the same.

Yakovlev V.P. social time. Rostov-on-Don, 1980, p. 96.

See Art. 6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; see Art. 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; see Art. 8 of the 1990 Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

In-situ conservation refers to the conditions under which genetic resources exist within ecosystems and natural habitats, and in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the environment in which they acquired their distinctive characteristics.

Ex situ conservation means the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats.

Vasilenko V.A. Fundamentals of the theory of international law. Kyiv, 1998. S. 10.

History of international law. Baskin, Feldman. 1995, p. 32.

History of international law. Baskin, Feldman. 1995. S. 266.

Eye of all great Russia. M., 1980. S. 28.

Collection of existing treaties, agreements and conventions concluded by the USSR with foreign states. Issue. XXIII. No. 1138. M., 1970.

There. Issue. XXXIII. No. 2480. M., 1979.

Ortolan T. Maritime international law. SPb., 1875. P.11.

Higgins and Colombos. International maritime law. M.: Iz-vo inostr.lit., 1953. S. 49.

Tarkhanov I.E. Freedom of navigation is one of the main components of the freedom of the high seas. Proceedings of Soyuzmorniiproekt. M., 1973. S.89-93.

UN Chronicle. July 1995. T.XXXII. No. 1. Department of Public Information. NY. S. 9.

IN today's world international economic organizations are structures that are designed to deepen cooperation between different countries in the field of trade and other areas of the economy. They can be both global and regional. The importance of these structures in the light of the general trend of globalization is constantly growing. Let's find out what international economic and financial organizations currently exist, as well as their main goals and activities.

System of economic organizations

Currently, there is a fairly extensive system of international economic organizations. These structures actively interact with each other, influencing both the global economy and politics.

International economic organizations are associations of states or their separate governing bodies aimed at cooperation in the field of trade, finance and economic activity.

These structures can be classified based on various features of their activities. By territorial coverage, international economic organizations are divided into global and regional. Example world organization- International Chamber of Commerce, and regional - ASEAN (Southeast Asia).

According to the direction of activity, there is a breakdown into universal and specialized associations. The first of them cover almost all spheres of economic activity, and the second - certain areas and areas of the economy. So, the World Trade Organization belongs to the universal ones, and OPEC, whose activities are focused on the issue of oil exports, belongs to the specialized ones. Separately, financial structures should be singled out, the most famous example of which is the IMF.

The whole set of economic organizations, interacting with each other, forms an international system.

The main goals of international economic organizations are to promote the development of the economy of their members, as well as the unification of general norms for regulating relations. The decisions of some of them are binding for members, while others are advisory.

ECOSOC is a specialized division of the UN

One of the main bodies of the UN activity in the field of economics is ECOSOC. This structure was founded in 1945, and its headquarters is located in New York.

The main task of the organization is cooperation in the economic and social sphere between the members of the UN. Its main functions are to ensure the growth of the world economy, to contribute to the reduction of unemployment and the fall in poverty, and to solve humanitarian problems. Also, the sphere of activity of the structure includes issues of education and observance of human rights.

This body is not only a coordinating, but also a controlling association. ECOSOC oversees the activities of fourteen UN entities. In addition, within the framework of the activities of this organization, representatives of the participating countries discuss the most pressing issues of the world economy.

ECOSOC consists of 54 countries, which are elected for three years at the UN General Assembly. All decisions are taken by a simple majority of votes.

European Economic Commission

Another structural body of the UN is the EEC. This organization is regional and subordinate to ECOSOC. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe was established in 1947.

The main purpose of this structure is the interaction in the economic sphere between the states of Europe. But, despite this, the 56 members of the EEC include not only European states. But also some other countries of the world, for example, the USA and Canada.

The administration of the organization is located in the Swiss city of Geneva.

WTO Trade Organization

One of the world's largest economic associations is the World Trade Organization. This structure has been operating since the beginning of 1995.

Its main task is to overcome customs barriers and spread the principles of free competition around the world. The WTO bodies monitor the implementation of all the provisions of the organization by member countries.

Currently, the WTO consists of 162 states (including Russia), that is, most of the world's countries. States such as Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Syria have the status of observers.

OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporters

One of the most famous international specialized economic organizations is OPEC. The scope of this structure is the regulation of oil production and export among its members.

OPEC has been operating since 1961. Currently, this organization consists of 13 countries. The most significant of them in terms of reserves, production and export of oil in this moment is Saudi Arabia.

The goal of OPEC is to control the level of world oil production in order to keep prices for black gold within the limits that satisfy the members of the association.

IMF is an international financial institution

The world's largest financial institution is the International Monetary Fund. It is also considered one of the structures of the UN.

The first steps towards the creation of this organization were taken during World War II, in the summer of 1944. Then the so-called IMF charter was signed, the principles of which formed the basis of the future organization. The IMF was created at the end of 1945, but did not actually begin to function until March 1947. At the moment, 188 countries of the world are members of the IMF.

The main goal of the organization is to lend to its members at relatively low interest rates, as well as to regulate the international financial market. The IMF has the right to impose certain conditions on the borrowing countries, which they must adhere to in order to receive a loan. In addition, the organization's tasks include controlling exchange rates, collecting statistical information, providing consulting services, and promoting the expansion of trade.

The governing body is the Board of Governors. Each country has the right to vote in it according to the volume of its financial participation in the activities of the IMF. At the moment, the United States has the largest number of votes in the organization.

The World Bank

Another important international financial institution is the World Bank. Its main goals include stimulating the economies of developing countries through investment. He also provides them technical assistance. In addition, the tasks of this banking structure include the elimination of poverty as a phenomenon in the least developed countries of the world, the prevention of the possibility of hunger, the fight against diseases, and many other economic and humanitarian issues.

The World Bank was founded in 1945. At the moment, 188 countries of the world are members of this largest international financial organization. Now the World Bank consists of two main structural parts: the Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Development Association.

ASEAN is the economic organization of Southeast Asia

One of the most illustrative examples of a regional international organization is ASEAN. It unites 10 countries South-East Asia. The year 1967 is considered to be the date of foundation of the association.

The task of ASEAN is to expand cooperation between countries in order to create a zone of economic prosperity in the South Asian region. The increase in the share of the countries of the region in the total volume of world production indicates that the organization is moving in the right direction.

EBRD - European Investment Bank

The largest European interstate financial institution is the EBRD. This is a banking-type structure created in 1991 with the aim of creating an effective mechanism for targeted investments. During its existence, the EBRD has been involved in the financing of many important projects.

Currently, 61 countries participate in the activities of this largest financial organization.

APEC - organization of the Asia-Pacific region

One of the largest regional international organizations is APEC. Today, its members are 21 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, including Russia, the USA, China.

The main task of the organization is to increase the rate of economic development of its members, which is planned to be done by liberalizing the movement of capital from one country in the region to another.

The importance of this organization not only in the regional, but also in the global plan is emphasized by the fact that the countries included in it are inhabited by 40% of the population. the globe, and they form 54% of world GDP.

Importance of International Economic Organizations

It is difficult to overestimate the role of international economic organizations in the global economy and financial activities. They contribute to the mutual integration of countries, as well as to the intensification of their economic development. The activity of international economic organizations is aimed at the elimination of customs and other borders between states, which favorably affects the freedom of movement of capital and trade.

Unlike universal organizations, specialized associations often defend their narrow-profile interests, sometimes even to the detriment of the overall economic development of the countries of the world. Regional organizations primarily promote the prosperity of the economy in a particular region of the globe, but their actions indirectly often favor the growth of the world economy as a whole.

The importance of international financial organizations is also very high. They stimulate the economies of member countries by injecting additional capital into them.

Thus, economic organizations are a very important element of modern