There are numerous organizations around the world that address cooperation of nations in a specific region or that have similiar commerical or political interests. Some of the most common groups are described and linked below. A much larger list can be viewed through the CIA World Factbook Appendix B.
Unfortunately, it does not provide live links to those agencies' websites. It will be necessary to search them on the Internet.
The OAS came into being in 1948 with the signing of the Charter of the OAS in Bogotá, Colombia, which entered into force in December 1951. It was subsequently amended by four protocol over the next 50 years.
Today, the OAS brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the hemisphere. In addition, it has granted permanent observer status to 67 states, as well as to the European Union (EU).
APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum. Its primary goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC is united in its drive to build a dynamic and harmonious Asia-Pacific community by championing free and open trade and investment, promoting and accelerating regional economic integration, encouraging economic and technical cooperation, enhancing human security, and facilitating a favorable and sustainable business environment.
APEC's initiatives turn policy goals into concrete results and agreements into tangible benefits.
Since its founding in 1966, the Asian Development Bank has been driven by an inspiration and dedication to improving people’s lives in Asia and the Pacific.
By targeting investments wisely, in partnership with developing member countries and other stakeholders, the ADB works to alleviate poverty and help create a world in which everyone can share in the benefits of sustained and inclusive growth.
Founded in 1962, the African Development Bank was designed to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa. Currently membership includes 53 African nations and 25 non-African nations.
The vision of the African Union is that of "[a]n integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.”
The African Union has shifted focus from supporting liberation movements in the former African territories under colonialism and apartheid -- as designated by the Organization of African Unity since 1963 and the Constitutive Act -- to an organization spear-heading Africa’s development and integration.
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding charter, the UN can take action on a wide range of issues and provide a forum for its 193 member states to express their views through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and other bodies and committees.
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. We are not a bank in the ordinary sense but a unique partnership to reduce poverty and support development. The World Bank Group comprises five institutions managed by their member countries.
The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository collects, disseminates, and permanently preserves its intellectual output in digital form. Coverage: Varies by type of publication.
Included in the repository are World Bank books, development reports, policy research working papers, and numerous other studies and journal articles.
Subjects cover any topic/program given World Bank funding for research, including numerous publications on programs and issues in various parts of Latin America.
Established in 1959, the Inter-American Development Bank is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, with a strong commitment to achieve measurable results, increased integrity, transparency and accountability. The IDB has an evolving reform agenda that seeks to increase its development impact in the region.
While IDB is a regular bank in many ways, it is also unique in some key respects. Besides loans, IDB also provides grants and technical assistance and does research.
Shareholders are 48 member countries, including 26 Latin American and Caribbean borrowing members, who have a majority ownership of the IDB.
In accordance with its statute, the mission of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries.
OPEC works to ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic, and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.
The descriptions of these intergovernmental organizations were taken from the organization's website, with minimal editing of the text.
INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Its role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. INTERPOL's high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.