Kosovo has lagged behind in joining United Nations specialized agencies, says the Pristina-based think tank Group for Legal and Political Studies. Of fifteen UN agencies, Kosovo has so far joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank back in 2009, but none since then. Albana Rexha, researcher with GLPS, said Kosovo’s membership in UN specialized agencies would strengthen Kosovo’s statehood and at the same time increase Kosovo’s presence in the international arena. She said the GLPS has identified three UN agencies, the membership of which should be a matter of priority for the government of Kosovo and these include the World Health Organisation (WHO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Rexha said membership in these organisations is easier as they operate under the simple majority rule. On the medium term, GLPS recommends Kosovo considers application bids for three more agencies: World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).