Introduction to Who's Who

Who’s Who in International Organizations has been a standard biographical reference work since the first edition appeared in 1992. It:

  • provides information on the principal personalities involved in the development, operation and coordination of international organizations, associations, institutes, networks, programmes and other bodies described the Yearbook
  • provides an easy means of checking biographical details of significant individuals on the multinational and global levels
  • provides a resource for the development of inter-organizational relationships
  • improves access to information on international organizations

There are many biographical reference books available today. Who’s Who in International Organizations is unique in that in concentrates on the human role in the international organizational network. It provides answers to such questions as:

  • who are the people making and carrying out decisions in international organizations
  • what other responsibilities do they have
  • what is their background
  • what have they in common
  • how can they be contacted

The sole criteria for inclusion is holding or having held a significant position in an international organization listed UIA's database.

Who's Who currently lists over 16,000 individuals who hold or who have held key positions in international organizations which themselves represent every field of human endeavour. The organizations whose officers are included range from United Nations agencies to trade associations, from scientific institutes to development networks, from sports federations to financial institutions.

This collection should be seen as a still photograph of an ever-changing landscape. People do not stand still, nor do organizations. Given the dynamic rate of change in international organization life no static picture can ever be wholely accurate. The information given here as to positions held in international organizations is valid at the time of editing; by the time of publishing this information may already be out-dated. This collection is nonetheless valuable in that it gives an indication of the kind of people who work with and for international organizations.