Supranational Organizations

European Union (EU)

the largest and most influential supranational organization; unique economic and political union (single market) between 28 european countries; based on the rule of law and representative deomocracy

Group of Twenty (G20)

20 major economies; aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability; seeks to address issues that go beyond the responsibilities of any one organization

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

a permanent intergovernmental organization of 14 oil-exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries

Supranational Organizations

an entity composed of three or more states that forge an association and form an administrative structure for mutual benefit and in pursuit of shared goals

United Nations

an intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperaton

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Trade agreement between Mexico, United States, and Canada. It allows free trade between the three countries.

African Union (AU)

a continental union consisting of 54 countries in Africa; replaces Organisation of African Unity (OAU); goal is to achieve greater unity and peace between African countries and people

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

intergovernmental military alliance that safeguards the freedom and security of its members through political (democratic values) and military means

World Trade Organization (WTO)

intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade

world bank

international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programs

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

international organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. in which 189 countries work to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world

Group of Eight (G8)

refers to the group of eight highly industrialized nations—France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Russia (which has recently been suspended from group); hold an annual meeting to foster consensus on global issues like economic growth and crisis management, global security, energy, and terrorism