Circumstances often dictate that the secretariat be located in a place convenient to the most active participants, and in some cases they are set up as part of an office of a national member. Some secretariats rotate periodically amongst members in different locations. If the organization needs to be able to receive funds as a distinct legal entity, then the question of the legal status of the organization may become a very important factor in determining where the secretariat is located.

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

IGOs are in most cases established by a treaty that acts as a charter creating the group. Treaties are formed when lawful representatives (governments) of several states go through a ratification process providing the IGO with an international legal personality.

International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs)

INGOs are usually registered in accordance with national law of the country or countries in which they are founded.

Data on the location of members and secretariats of international organizations are presented in the Yearbook of International Organizations. Secretariat staff are unable to deal with requests for contact information of organizations due to time and budgetary constraints, but we suggest the following pointers:

This is determined by the statutes or by-laws of each specific organization. You should contact an organization directly (or view the membership information on its website) for more information on requirements.

How many international organizations there are will depend on your criteria and methods for counting them. The UIA maintains information and statistics on over 68,000 international organizations (both active and inactive) that meet its criteria (see Types of organization for precise information on these criteria).

The information you provide is included free of charge and with no obligation on your part.

Please contact us and let us know to whom we should address the proof mailing.

You are welcome to reply in any of the following formats:

• by e-mail
• via our website
• by fax to (32 2) 643.61.99
• by post to:
Rue Washington 40
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium

Yes, you can update your organization's description directly via our website. A user name and password are required for login, and should have been provided with your proof. Please contact us if you do not have your user name and password. Also, please bear in mind that all online updates are reviewed by an editor before they are visible on the website.

The submission deadline for the printed edition of the Yearbook is annual at the end of March. The Yearbook Online is updated about once every six weeks.

We welcome updated information year-round, irrespective of our publishing schedule, so please feel free to submit new information at any time.