b'UK is committedto working with the WCO,World Intellectual Property Organisation and recently invited its Secretary General to(WIPO) London to meet members of HM RevenueWIPO is a United Nations organisation which & Customs and the UK Border Force, bothpromotes innovation and creativity for the organisations pledging their commitmenttoeconomic, social and cultural development the WCO.of all countries, through a balanced and effective international intellectual property International Labour Organisation The(IP) system. It offers services to make it focus of the International Laboureasier to obtain protection internationally by Organization is the importance ofway of patents, trademarks etc. As society cooperation between governments,changes it helps to develop the international employers and workers organisations inIP framework accordingly. WIPO develops fostering social and economic progress. Theinfrastructure to share knowledge and organisation is split into three components,simplify IP transactions. WIPO works with a the International Labour Conference; theview to supporting economic development. Governing Body and the office comprisingThere are 186 member states in WIPO. governments; employers and workersCreativity and innovation are promoted representatives.by WIPO, and it is therefore an important organisation for new business ideas and United Nations Industrial Developmententrepreneurs, making it generally important Organisation (UNIDO)for business development. The organisation works to assist developing nations to trade by providing servicesInternational Bank for Reconstruction and designed for developing countries andDevelopment (IBRD) transition economies. They provide servicesThe IBRD works with middle-income to assist with building up a countryscountries and creditworthypoorer countries capacity to trade and by providing servicesto reduce poverty. It does this through loans, to aid the improvement of industrial energyguarantees, risk management products, efficiency and sustainability, practices whichand analytical and advisory services. The work towards achieving a number of theIBRD operates like a co-operative and is Millennium Development Goals.owned and operated for the benefit of its 187 members. The IBRD borrows money United Nations Capital Development Fundfrom the World Bankhaving access to (UNCDF)capital in favourable terms at larger volumes The UNCDF supports developing countries inand works with a number of multilateral the development of their economies, workingdevelopment banks. primarily with the least developed countries by way of grants and loans. The UNCDFsInternational Centre for Settlement of focus is upon both the private and publicInvestment Disputes (ICSID) sectors. In the public sector the fund worksThe ICSID is an autonomous institute which to strengthen public investment at the localwas set up under the Convention on the level. In the private sector it works to ensureSettlement of Investment Disputes. It has financial services reach poor people and158 signatory states, and provides facilities small businesses.for conciliation and arbitration of international investment disputes.229'