Glossary beginning with U

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U

UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

A regional commission of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. It works to overcome some of the regions greatest challenges and enhance economic cooperation among its member states.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

A United Nations agency responsible for mobilising and coordinating humanitarian response to disasters and emergencies. The agencyÕs activities include organisation and monitoring of humanitarian funding, information management, policy development and humanitarian advocacy.

Uniform report format

A standard format through which Parties submit information on activities implemented jointly under the Convention.

United Nations

An international organisation established in October 24, 1945. The UN is worldwide in scope and membership with 193 member states. It objectives include maintaining international peace and security , develop friend relation among nations, cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights , and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

United Nations Children's Fund

A United Nations program that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. Its services involve providing emergency food, healthcare and educational supplies.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

A major international conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 to reconcile worldwide economic development with protection of the environment . By means of treaties and other documents signed at the conference, 178 nations committed to the pursuit of economic development in ways that would protect the EarthÕs environment and non-renewable resources.

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

Informally known as Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was the 3rd international conference on sustainable development aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental goals. The key themes were a green economy in the context of sustainable development , poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development .

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

An intergovernmental body and principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly responsible for dealing with development issues, in particular international trade. It promotes development through international trade, economic analysis and services, formulating policies , and research .

United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (see also OCHA)

Formerly a stand-alone UN organisation, UNDHA merged into the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in 1998. It was concerned with the UNÕs response to complex emergencies and natural disasters.

United Nations Development Program

An organisation established as the United NationsÕ global development network. It assists countries to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable human development , build climate and disaster resilience, and democratic governance and peace building.

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination

UNDAC is part of the international emergency response system for sudden-onset emergencies. It is designed to help the UN and governments of disaster-affected countries during the first phase of a sudden-onset emergency.

United Nations Environment Programme

An agency of the United Nations that coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmental policies and practices. It serves as an authoritative advocate and implementing body for the global environmental dimension of sustainable development .

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

An international environmental treaty negotiated at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and now with 195 Parties to the Convention. The objective of the treaty is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

A United Nations agency established to promote and accelerate industrial development in developing countries and international industrial cooperation. The organisation works towards improving quality of life of the worldÕs poor in three areas: poverty reduction, trade capacity-building, and energy and environment .

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

The Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Its functions include ensuring disaster risk reduction is applied to climate change adaptation , increasing investments, building disaster resilient cities, schools and hospitals and strengthening the international system for disaster risk reduction .

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsUnited Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response

A United Nations program under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. It functions as a platform that facilitates the use of space-based technologies for disaster management and emergency response .

Unites States Agency for International Development

The United States Government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. It aims to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing the security of the United States.

Universal Postal Union

A specialised agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.

University of the South Pacific

An intergovernmental organisation and public research university with a number of locations spread throughout Oceania. It is the premier provider of tertiary education and centre for teaching, research , consulting and training on all aspects of Pacific culture , environment and human resource development needs.

Urban Risk and Planning

Measurement and management of urban hazards and vulnerability in order to improve awareness and local capacity to effectively reduce disaster risk.

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