Intergovernmental organizations

Definition

Intergovernmental organizations are entities created by treaty, involving two or more nations, to work on issues of common interest. These organizations operate internationally to foster cooperation, provide aid, and address global issues like health, security, and environmental concerns.

Related terms

Sovereignty:

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state; a key concept respected by IGOs when collaborating with member countries.

Diplomacy:

The practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states or IGOs; it is the main method through which IGOs facilitate communication and agreements among nations.

Multilateralism:

A foreign policy strategy whereby a country cooperates with multiple other countries or IGOs to pursue shared goals; multilateralism is often the guiding principle behind the formation and operation of IGOs