University of Guelph Library
An international organization is an organization of international scope or character. There are two main types of international organizations: international intergovernmental organizations, whose members are sovereign states; and non-governmental organizations (NGO), which are private organizations.
International organizations differ in who their members are and in who is permitted to join them. Membership of some organizations (global organizations) is open to all the nations of the world. This category includes the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as the World Trade Organization. Other organizations are only open to members from a particular region of the world. Finally, some organizations base their membership on other criteria: cultural or historical links (the Commonwealth), level of economic development or type of economy (OECD, OPEC), or religion (Organization of the Islamic Conference).
- Search strategies and tools
How to find government publications in the library and online for International Organizations. - Organizations
Links to the major International Organizations. - Statistics
Links to statistical sources of information for International Organizations.
