Legal Definitions - international organization

An international organization is a formal body established by multiple countries through a binding agreement, known as a multilateral treaty. Its primary purpose is to enable member states to cooperate and pursue shared objectives on matters that extend beyond national borders, operating according to the rules and principles laid out in its founding treaty.

Here are some examples illustrating how international organizations function:

• The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): This organization was founded by an international treaty to promote the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. Member countries collaborate through IRENA to share knowledge, facilitate technology transfer, and develop policies that support a global transition to sustainable energy, all guided by its establishing statute. This demonstrates an international organization created by treaty to address a global environmental and economic goal.
• Mercosur: This is a South American trade bloc established by the Treaty of Asunción. Its member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and others) aim to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and currency within the region. Mercosur operates under its foundational treaties and protocols to achieve economic integration and common market goals. This example highlights an international organization focused on regional economic cooperation and trade liberalization.
• The African Union (AU): Formed by the Constitutive Act of the African Union, this organization comprises 55 member states across the African continent. Its objectives include promoting unity and solidarity among African states, fostering peace and security, and accelerating the political and socio-economic integration of Africa. The AU functions based on its charter and various protocols to address continental challenges and advance shared interests. This illustrates an international organization dedicated to political, social, and economic integration and peace-building across a continent.

Sometimes, the term "international organization" is also used more broadly to refer to any significant international group, whether it's formed by governments (intergovernmental) or by private individuals and groups (non-governmental).