International organization

The offices of the United Nations in Geneva (Switzerland), which is the city that hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world[1]

An international organization, also known as an intergovernmental organization or an international institution, is an organization that is established by a treaty or other type of instrument governed by international law and possesses its own legal personality, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and BRICS.[2][3] International organizations are composed of primarily member states, but may also include other entities, such as other international organizations, firms, and nongovernmental organizations.[4] Additionally, entities (including states) may hold observer status.[5]

Examples for international organizations include: UN General Assembly, World Trade Organization, African Development Bank, UN Economic and Social Council, UN Security Council, Asian Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, International Finance Corporation, Inter-American Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme.[6]

  1. ^ (in French) François Modoux, "La Suisse engagera 300 millions pour rénover le Palais des Nations", Le Temps, Friday 28 June 2013, p. 9.
  2. ^ Gaja, Giorgio (9 December 2011). "Articles on the Responsibility of International Organisations". Audiovisual Library of International Law. United Nations - Office of Legal Affairs. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  3. ^ Bouwhuis, Stephen (1 January 2012). "The International Law Commission's Definition of International Organizations". International Organizations Law Review. 9 (2): 451–465. doi:10.1163/15723747-00902004. ISSN 1572-3747.
  4. ^ Koremenos, Barbara; Lipson, Charles; Snidal, Duncan (2001). "The Rational Design of International Institutions" (PDF). International Organization. 55 (4): 761–799. doi:10.1162/002081801317193592. ISSN 0020-8183. JSTOR 3078615. S2CID 41593236. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 April 2023.
  5. ^ "International Organizations - Research Guide International Law". Peace Palace Library. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. ^ Our World in Data team (2023) - “Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies” Published online at OurWorldinData.org.