3. Types of organization in the Yearbook
Before entering (in the next section) into a detailed discussion of the international organizations in all their variety, it is appropriate to review the types into which such organizations are allocated in this Yearbook of International Organizations. These types have been defined in such a way as to provide an empirical means of ordering many kinds of organizations. They have proved to be a convenient working tool. Reference is made to these types in the subsequent discussion. Detailed refinements and exceptions to the definitions given below, are discussed in the description of each type in the Yearbook:
- A: Federations of international organizations
- B: Universal membership organizations
- C: Intercontinental membership organizations
- D: Regionally defined membership organizations
- E: Organizations emanating from places, persons, proprietary products or other bodies
- F: Organizations having a special form, including foundations and funds
- G: Internationally-oriented national organizations
- H: Inactive or dissolved international organizations
- J: Recently reported bodies -- not yet confirmed
- K: Subsidiary and internal bodies of other internal bodies
- N: National organizations
- R: Religious orders, fraternities and secular institutes
- S: Autonomous conference series (without secretariat)
- T: Multilateral treaties and agreements
- U: Currently inactive non-conventional or unconfirmed bodies
