Whether it is a confederation, registered union, federal union or supranational body, here is the list of unions of which the country is a member. Finland is a member of several trade unions. These are the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Schengen Area, the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization.
European Union Finland is a member of the European Union. On January 1, 1995, it joined the EU as a full member. The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 28 European countries that together form an economic-political union and cover much of the European continent. It covers an area of 4,324,782 km² with an estimated population of over 508 million. People can travel freely across most of the continent. As a single market, the EU is a major world trading power. And it has become much easier to live, work and travel in other European countries.
IMF Finland is a member of the International Monetary Fund. On January 14, 1948, she joined the IMF as a member. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IMF is a 189-country organization dedicated to promoting global monetary cooperation, safeguarding financial stability, and facilitating international trade. The IMF now plays a central role in dealing with balance of payments difficulties and international financial crises. The union is governed and accountable to all 189 member countries. In 2010, the Fund had SDR 476.8 billion (about US$755.7 billion) at its disposal.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Finland is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. On January 28, 1969, it joined the OECD as a member. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (French: Organization de coopération et de développement économiques, OCDE) is an international economic organization of 34 countries, founded in 1961 to boost economic progress and world trade and to promote policies to improve the economy and social wellbeing. It is a forum where governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. The OECD works with governments to understand what is driving economic, social and environmental change. The OECD measures productivity and global trade and investment flows.
Schengen area Finland is a member of the Schengen area. On March 25, 2001, it was admitted to the Schengen area. The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that led to the creation of the borderless Schengen area in Europe. It entitles every EU citizen to travel, work and live in any EU country without any special formalities. It was signed on June 14, 1985 by five of the ten member states of what was then the European Economic Community near the city of Schengen, Luxembourg. Schengen cooperation improves the free movement of people by allowing more than 400 million EU citizens to cross internal borders without being subjected to border controls.
United Nations Finland is a member of the United Nations. On December 14, 1955, it acceded to the UN as a full member state on its founding date. The United Nations, founded in 1945, is an intergovernmental organization promoting international cooperation. The work of the United Nations is guided by the principles contained in its founding charter. It currently consists of 193 member states. The United Nations headquarters are in Manhattan, New York City, with other main offices in Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna. Its aims include maintaining world peace and security, promoting human rights, promoting social and economic development, protecting the environment and providing assistance.