The IBA, established in 1947, is the world’s leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations, law firms and law societies. The IBA influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession around the world. It has a membership of more than 80,000 individual lawyers and nearly 190 bar associations and law societies spanning over 170 countries. Inspired by the vision of the United Nations (UN), the IBA was founded in the same spirit, just before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed in 1948. The principal aims and objectives of the IBA are to:

• protect the rule of law and enhance the rule of law globally;
• support the independence of the judiciary and the right of lawyers to practise their profession without interference;
• support human rights for lawyers worldwide through the IBA’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI);
• provide members with world-class professional development to enable them and their organisations to deliver outstanding legal services;
• promote an exchange of information and views among its members as to laws, practices and professional responsibilities around the globe;
• deliver top-level international network building opportunities;
• be committed to the development of international law reform; and
• contribute to the advancement, development and harmonisation of law at an international level.

The IBA covers all practice areas and professional interests, providing members with access to leading experts and up-to-date information, enabling them to better represent their clients’ interests. Through its various Committees, Fora and Task Forces, the IBA facilitates the exchange of information and views among its members as to laws, practices and professional responsibilities relating to the practice of law around the globe. Global partnerships The IBA has created partnerships, and works closely, with a number of global bodies, including the:

• UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD);
• UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC);
• UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL);
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF);
• B20;
• European Commission;
• European Parliament;
• World Bank;
• World Trade Organization (WTO);
• International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT);
• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR);
• International Federation of Accountants (IFAC);
• Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH); and
• International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

The IBA keeps strict relationships with other lawyers’ international organisations like:

• Conseil des Barreaux Europeéns (CCBE);
• Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA);
• Association International des Jeunes Avocats (AIGA);
• American Bar Association (ABA);
• Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA);
• Law Asia;
• European Lawyers Association (ELI).

The IBA brings together the worldwide legal profession to develop the harmonisation of law across borders and provide an environment conducive to international business. Examples include: the IBA OECD UNODC Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Legal Profession; the IBA Women Business Lawyers Initiative; the Anti-Money Laundering Forum; the IBA Working Group on Business and Human Rights; the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and collaboration with the IFAC; the collaboration between the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the European Parliament’s rapporteur on whistleblower protections, MEP Virginie Rozière; and the LPRU’s engagement with and participation in several expert working groups of the UN and the UNODC.