The Chancellor George Osborne has just told them they can now commit substantially more money to the intergovernmental organisation's projects.

BBC: Space ticks the boxes for UK plc

"There is this misguided view that the UN system doesn't work, " said Martin Khor, executive director of the South Centre, an intergovernmental organisation of developing countries.

BBC: UN picks new climate change chief

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is the UN organisation dedicated to ocean science and services and is responsible for fostering cooperation between governments on global issues about oceans.

UNESCO: Troubled Waters