Summary: This report provides information on management, administrative, and program reforms in five organizations at the United Nations: the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the U.N Conference on Trade and Development, and the U.N. Population Fund. Although it is acknowledged that the organizations are not operating as effectively and efficiently as they should be, the State Department believes that continued membership in the five organizations is important to the United States because their activities contribute to U.S. security, prosperity, safety, and health. The policies and agendas of each of the five coincide with U.S. foreign policy objectives and provide significant benefits, such as setting international standards for living and working conditions; improving global health; and collecting, analyzing, and disseminating global information on trade, health, population, and employment. They also provide opportunities for joint research among technical experts to combat deadly diseases, such as AIDS and the Ebola virus. The five organizations have begun to address weaknesses in the management and administration of their programs, such as the lack of budget transparency and the overlap of programs and activities. These weaknesses have been the subject of frequent criticism by Congress, the State Department, and others.
