The United Nations was founded in 1945 with the aim of safeguarding world peace. Among its stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights. Italy has been a member since 1955 and it is among the largest contributors to the UN budget. Italy is home to several UN special agencies such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome.
Italy has been one of the countries most committed to the road to European integration, major milestones along which have been laid right here in the peninsula: from the Messina Conference in 1955 and the Venice Conference in 1956 to the historic signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957, which established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. Antonio Tajani is vice president of the European Commission responsible for Transport.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization that oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic policies of its member countries. Italy?s capital quota is 3.24 percent, making it one of the key IMF members. Mario Draghi, governor of Italy?s central bank, is currently chairman of the Financial Stability Board.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization designed by its founders to supervise and liberalize international trade. It provides a forum for negotiation and implementation of existing treaties on international trade. In the current Doha round Italy has played an active role in shaping the European initiative aimed at lowering barriers and obstacles to commerce and development, especially in favor of less developed countries.
The North Atlantic Treaty organization was founded in 1949, and ever since it has served as a major source of transAtlantic glue. Italy is a key player in the alliance?s process of transformation, primarily in promoting the organization?s political dimension, but also by means of its own national military capabilities and technological and industrial defense resources. Italy is the fourth largest provider of troops to NATO operations, and fifth in terms of budgetary contributions.
OSCE (the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) is the world?s largest regional security organization with its 56 participating states. OSCE missions take place in the fields of conflict prevention and management. Italy makes a substantial contribution in terms of budget and manpower.
