UIA.org
Union of International Associations

  		  
 
  

Frequently Asked Questions - Setting up/ Logistics

How is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) created?

This is a complex question. Without further refinement, it is almost impossible to answer concretely. One avenue of investigation is to examine the specifics of a single organization (or small group of organizations). Helpful documentation is usually available from an organization in the form of annual reports or histories/overviews produced on significant anniversaries (eg. 25 years of...).

How do international organizations get registered or recognised?

IGOs are in most cases created through international treaties or agreements. There is no single formal procedure for registering international NGOs however, and several different approaches tend to be adopted, whether singly or together. The following is a list (by no means exhaustive) of some of the main ways that international organizations are registered or recognized.

Where should the secretariat of an international organization be established?
There is no easy answer to this question. Circumstances will probably dictate that the secretariat be located in a place convenient to the most active participants, or in some cases as part of an office of a national member. The consequent workload, and any political pressure, may also lead to periodic rotation of the secretariat amongst members in different locations.
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