Study list · Static GK
Headquarters of international organisations
113 organisations that come up in bank exam static GK, from UN agencies to sports federations. Grouped by city first, because exams love asking which bodies share a city.
Test yourself on a world map: tap the HQ city for each one.
Start the HQ drillBy city
Geneva 18
Switzerland
- CITESConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Secretariat)
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
- ICRCInternational Committee of the Red Cross
- ILOInternational Labour Organization
- IOMInternational Organization for Migration
- IPCCIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- ITUInternational Telecommunication Union
- OHCHROffice of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
- UNAIDSJoint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS
- UNCTADUN Conference on Trade and Development
- UNHCRUN High Commissioner for Refugees
- WEFWorld Economic Forum
- WHOWorld Health Organization
- WIPOWorld Intellectual Property Organization
- WMOWorld Meteorological Organization
- WTOWorld Trade Organization
London 7
UK
- Amnesty International
- CGFCommonwealth Games Federation
- Commonwealth Secretariat
- ICOInternational Coffee Organization
- IMOInternational Maritime Organization
- ITFInternational Tennis Federation
- Save the Children International
Paris 7
France
- ESAEuropean Space Agency
- FATFFinancial Action Task Force
- ICCInternational Chamber of Commerce
- IEAInternational Energy Agency
- OECDOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- RSFReporters Without Borders
- UNESCOUN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
New York 5
USA
- UNUnited Nations
- UN WomenUN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
- UNDPUN Development Programme
- UNFPAUN Population Fund
- UNICEFUN Children's Fund
Lausanne 4
Switzerland
- FIDEInternational Chess Federation
- FIHInternational Hockey Federation
- IOCInternational Olympic Committee
- World Archery
New Delhi 4
India
- CDRICoalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- GTFGlobal Tiger Forum
- IBCAInternational Big Cat Alliance
- WHO SEAROWHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
The Hague 4
Netherlands
- ICCInternational Criminal Court
- ICJInternational Court of Justice
- OPCWOrganisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
- PCAPermanent Court of Arbitration
Vienna 4
Austria
- IAEAInternational Atomic Energy Agency
- OPECOrganization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- UNIDOUN Industrial Development Organization
- UNODCUN Office on Drugs and Crime
Washington, D.C. 4
USA
- IFCInternational Finance Corporation
- IFPRIInternational Food Policy Research Institute
- IMFInternational Monetary Fund
- World Bank
Brussels 3
Belgium
- EUEuropean Union
- NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization
- WCOWorld Customs Organization
Gland 3
Switzerland
- IUCNInternational Union for Conservation of Nature
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Secretariat)
- WWFWorld Wide Fund for Nature
Kuala Lumpur 3
Malaysia
- AFCAsian Football Confederation
- AFIAlliance for Financial Inclusion
- BWFBadminton World Federation
Montreal 3
Canada
- CBDConvention on Biological Diversity (Secretariat)
- ICAOInternational Civil Aviation Organization
- WADAWorld Anti-Doping Agency
Nairobi 3
Kenya
- Oxfam International
- UN-HabitatUN Human Settlements Programme
- UNEPUN Environment Programme
Rome 3
Italy
- FAOFood and Agriculture Organization
- IFADInternational Fund for Agricultural Development
- WFPWorld Food Programme
Beijing 2
China
- AIIBAsian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- SCOShanghai Cooperation Organisation
Bonn 2
Germany
- UNCCDUN Convention to Combat Desertification
- UNFCCCUN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Secretariat)
Abu Dhabi 1
UAE
- IRENAInternational Renewable Energy Agency
Addis Ababa 1
Ethiopia
- AUAfrican Union
Bangkok 1
Thailand
- ESCAPUN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Berlin 1
Germany
- TITransparency International
Bern 1
Switzerland
- UPUUniversal Postal Union
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
- IWMIInternational Water Management Institute
Dhaka 1
Bangladesh
- BIMSTECBay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
Dubai 1
UAE
- ICCInternational Cricket Council
Ebene 1
Mauritius
- IORAIndian Ocean Rim Association
Frankfurt 1
Germany
- ECBEuropean Central Bank
Gurugram 1
India
- ISAInternational Solar Alliance
Hyderabad 1
India
- ICRISATInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Incheon 1
South Korea
- GCFGreen Climate Fund
Jakarta 1
Indonesia
- ASEANAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations
Jamnagar 1
India
- WHO GCTMWHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine
Kathmandu 1
Nepal
- SAARCSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Kingston 1
Jamaica
- ISBAInternational Seabed Authority
Kuwait City 1
Kuwait
- OCAOlympic Council of Asia
La Hulpe 1
Belgium
- SWIFTSociety for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
Lyon 1
France
- Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization)
Madrid 1
Spain
- UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO)
Manila 1
Philippines
- ADBAsian Development Bank
Mies 1
Switzerland
- FIBAInternational Basketball Federation
Monaco 1
City-state
- World Athletics
Munich 1
Germany
- ISSFInternational Shooting Sport Federation
Oslo 1
Norway
- CEPICoalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Riyadh 1
Saudi Arabia
- GCCGulf Cooperation Council
Shanghai 1
China
- NDBNew Development Bank (BRICS Bank)
Singapore 1
City-state
- APECAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Tehran 1
Iran
- ACUAsian Clearing Union
Thimphu 1
Bhutan
- SDFSAARC Development Fund
Tromsø 1
Norway
- Arctic Council (Secretariat)
Varanasi 1
India
- ISARCIRRI South Asia Regional Centre
Zurich 1
Switzerland
- FIFAFédération Internationale de Football Association
Commonly confused
The wrong answers people pick most often, usually because the organisation was named or founded somewhere else.
Full A–Z list
| Organisation | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| African Union (AU)Became a permanent G20 member under India's presidency (2023). | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Amnesty InternationalNobel Peace Prize 1977. | London, UK |
| Arctic Council (Secretariat)India has been an observer since 2013. | Tromsø, Norway |
| Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)India is not a member. | Singapore |
| Asian Clearing Union (ACU)RBI is a member; settles trade among member central banks. | Tehran, Iran |
| Asian Development Bank (ADB)Its president is traditionally Japanese, but HQ is Manila. | Manila, PhilippinesMandaluyong, Metro Manila |
| Asian Football Confederation (AFC) | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)Beijing – the BRICS bank (NDB) is in Shanghai. | Beijing, China |
| Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Founded by the Bangkok Declaration (1967); secretariat in Jakarta. | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Badminton World Federation (BWF) | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)Founded in Bangkok (1997); secretariat in Dhaka. | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)Launched by India in 2019. | New Delhi, India |
| Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) | Oslo, Norway |
| Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) | London, UK |
| Commonwealth Secretariat | London, UKMarlborough House |
| Convention on Biological Diversity (Secretariat) (CBD) | Montreal, Canada |
| Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Secretariat) (CITES) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| European Central Bank (ECB) | Frankfurt, Germany |
| European Space Agency (ESA) | Paris, France |
| European Union (EU)European Commission and Council sit in Brussels. | Brussels, Belgium |
| Financial Action Task Force (FATF)Anti-money-laundering watchdog; secretariat at the OECD. | Paris, France |
| Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)Rome trio: FAO, IFAD and WFP. | Rome, Italy |
| Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)Founded in Paris (1904); HQ is Zurich. | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Global Tiger Forum (GTF)Only intergovernmental body working solely on tiger conservation. | New Delhi, India |
| Green Climate Fund (GCF) | Incheon, South KoreaSongdo, Incheon |
| Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)India is a founding member. | Ebene, Mauritius |
| Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Set up by WMO and UNEP in 1988. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'Atoms for Peace' – Nobel Peace Prize 2005. | Vienna, Austria |
| International Basketball Federation (FIBA) | Mies, Switzerland |
| International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) NewTreaty-based body since Jan 2025; HQ agreement signed Apr 2025; covers 7 big cats. | New Delhi, India |
| International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) | Paris, France |
| International Chess Federation (FIDE) | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)Created by the Chicago Convention (1944), but HQ is Montreal. | Montreal, Canada |
| International Coffee Organization (ICO) | London, UK |
| International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)Nobel Peace Prize 1917, 1944 and 1963. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Court of Justice (ICJ)The only principal UN organ outside New York. | The Hague, NetherlandsPeace Palace |
| International Cricket Council (ICC)Moved from London (Lord's) to Dubai in 2005. | Dubai, UAE |
| International Criminal Court (ICC)Set up by the Rome Statute (1998) – HQ is The Hague, not Rome. | The Hague, Netherlands |
| International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)CGIAR centre for dryland crops like millets and pulses. | Hyderabad, IndiaPatancheru, near Hyderabad |
| International Energy Agency (IEA)Created within the OECD after the 1973 oil crisis. | Paris, France |
| International Finance Corporation (IFC)World Bank Group's private-sector arm. | Washington, D.C., USA |
| International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) | Washington, D.C., USA |
| International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)Rome trio: FAO, IFAD and WFP. | Rome, Italy |
| International Hockey Federation (FIH) | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| International Labour Organization (ILO)Only tripartite UN agency: governments, employers and workers. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Maritime Organization (IMO)The only UN specialised agency headquartered in the UK. | London, UK |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF)Bretton Woods twin of the World Bank – both in Washington. | Washington, D.C., USA |
| International Olympic Committee (IOC)Lausanne is the 'Olympic Capital'. | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| International Organization for Migration (IOM)Joined the UN system as a related organisation in 2016. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Organization for Standardization (ISO) | Geneva, SwitzerlandVernier, Geneva |
| International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) | Abu Dhabi, UAEMasdar City |
| International Seabed Authority (ISBA) | Kingston, Jamaica |
| International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) | Munich, Germany |
| International Solar Alliance (ISA)Launched by India and France at COP21, Paris (2015). | Gurugram, IndiaGwal Pahari, Haryana |
| International Telecommunication Union (ITU)Oldest UN agency – founded 1865. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Tennis Federation (ITF) | London, UK |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Publishes the Red List of threatened species. | Gland, Switzerland |
| International Water Management Institute (IWMI) | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization)Lyon – not Paris! | Lyon, France |
| IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC)IRRI's own HQ is Los Baños, Philippines. | Varanasi, IndiaVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) ChangingUN80 reform proposes winding it down; HQ is Geneva. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) (NDB)Shanghai – AIIB is the one in Beijing. | Shanghai, China |
| North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)Treaty signed in Washington (1949); HQ is Brussels. | Brussels, Belgium |
| Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)The UN Human Rights Council also meets in Geneva. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
| Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) | Paris, France |
| Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)Nobel Peace Prize 2013. | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)Not a UN body, though based in the UN city of Vienna. | Vienna, Austria |
| Oxfam InternationalSecretariat moved from Oxford to Nairobi. | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) | The Hague, NetherlandsPeace Palace |
| Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Secretariat)Named after Ramsar, Iran – secretariat is in Gland. | Gland, Switzerland |
| Reporters Without Borders (RSF)Publishes the World Press Freedom Index. | Paris, France |
| SAARC Development Fund (SDF) | Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Save the Children International | London, UK |
| Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Named after Shanghai, but secretariat is in Beijing; RATS is in Tashkent. | Beijing, China |
| Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT)Near Brussels. | La Hulpe, Belgium |
| South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)Founded in Dhaka (1985); secretariat in Kathmandu. | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Transparency International (TI)Publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index. | Berlin, Germany |
| UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) ChangingUN80 reform: parts of global operations shifting to Nairobi; official HQ still New York. | New York, USA |
| UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Publishes the World Investment Report. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) | Bonn, Germany |
| UN Development Programme (UNDP)Publishes the Human Development Index. | New York, USA |
| UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)India's UN regional commission. | Bangkok, Thailand |
| UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)Inscribes World Heritage Sites. | Paris, France |
| UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) ChangingUN80 reform: some HQ staff moved to Nairobi; official HQ still New York. | New York, USA |
| UN Environment Programme (UNEP)Nairobi duo: UNEP + UN-Habitat. | Nairobi, Kenya |
| UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Secretariat) (UNFCCC)Bonn = climate + deserts (UNFCCC, UNCCD). | Bonn, Germany |
| UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)UN Refugee Agency – Nobel Peace Prize 1954 and 1981. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)Nairobi duo: UNEP + UN-Habitat. | Nairobi, Kenya |
| UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) | Vienna, Austria |
| UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)Publishes the World Drug Report. | Vienna, Austria |
| UN Population Fund (UNFPA) ChangingUN80 reform: some HQ functions moved to Nairobi; official HQ still New York. | New York, USA |
| UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO)UNWTO was renamed UN Tourism in 2024. | Madrid, Spain |
| United Nations (UN)General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC and Secretariat sit here. | New York, USA |
| Universal Postal Union (UPU)Bern, not Geneva! World Post Day is 9 October. | Bern, Switzerland |
| WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM)WHO's first global centre for traditional medicine. | Jamnagar, IndiaJamnagar, Gujarat |
| WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) | New Delhi, India |
| World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) | Montreal, Canada |
| World Archery | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| World AthleticsFormerly IAAF. | Monaco |
| World BankIBRD and IDA – both in Washington. | Washington, D.C., USA |
| World Customs Organization (WCO) | Brussels, Belgium |
| World Economic Forum (WEF)HQ near Geneva; annual meeting is held in Davos. | Geneva, SwitzerlandCologny, near Geneva |
| World Food Programme (WFP)Nobel Peace Prize 2020; part of the Rome trio. | Rome, Italy |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Meteorological Organization (WMO) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Trade Organization (WTO)Replaced GATT in 1995. | Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) | Gland, Switzerland |
Ready to check how many you remember?
Start the HQ drill