Libraries

IGOs

International Government Organizations
IGO Search (UIA)

This Google Custom Search allows you to search the more than 3000 IGOs listed in the Yearbook of International Organizations.

IGO Web Search:

This is an experimental web search that you can use to find information from intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) such as the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, and related organizations.  Please provide any and all feedback to David Oldenkamp regarding this search tool.

Google Search (using 355 core IGO urls):
PSS! Search (using IGO names as "seed" keywords)
Your Search:
Links to IGOs (the definitive list)

This alphabetical list of IGOs was created by Northwestern University's Govinfo, Maps and Data unit.

Selected IGOs

United Nations (UN)
Official Directory of the United Nations System of Organizations
ReliefWeb (UN)

This site is the premier online of information regarding natural disasters and emergencies.

International Organizations: Search & Browse (UC Berkeley)

This site built by Berkeley includes subject guides on various international topics.

Europa (EU)
Organization of American States (OAS)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
World Bank

The World Bank is a development Bank which provides loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge sharing services to low and middle income countries to reduce poverty.

International Monetary Fund

Lots of data.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The United Nations specialized agency for health. WHO's objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

What is an IGO?

An International Government Organization (IGO) is generally a formal, ongoing structure established by agreement between members from three or more countries with the aim of pursuing the common interests of the membership. An IGO has international aims and goals, is often treaty-based, has a headquarters with officers, and has a nonprofit financial apparatus based on dues from its members.

Examples include such organizations as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. IGO imformation is an important resource for statistics, international policy, research, and guidelines/standards/specifications.

The number of IGOs is increasing due to globalization. The exact count is hard to ascertain, but IGOs number in the thousands.