Symposium on IGOs Initiative in Time of Crisis

This symposium aims at presenting the results of a research on International Governmental Organisations (IGO) in time of crisis. The research reviewed the practice of 'Initiatives' by IGOs when responding to crises or the unforeseen needs of their respective membership. It forms part of a broader research project on the role of IGOs in international law where more than 100 initiatives were identified so far, focusing on 14 IGOs. The notion of an IGO's initiative, conceptualised as activities of the Executive Heads and the Secretariat's staff that enhance the remit of an organization beyond those functions initially or formally envisaged by its constituent instrument, is examined. A descriptive analysis of over 30 initiatives demonstrate that they may be successful in addressing modern unforeseen challenges, whether they stem from international emergencies, climate change, dynamic technological advancements, or global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic- especially when such initiatives are accepted and supported by IGOs' members.