intergovernmental

Intergovernmental refers to activities, processes, or institutions that involve or occur between governments of sovereign states or subnational regimes in federations. In international relations, intergovernmental cooperation is negotiation and agreement among governments to address common issues such as security, trade, or the environment. Unlike nongovernmental actors or supranational institutions, intergovernmental arrangements rely on the consent and ratification of member governments rather than being subject to a higher, centralized authority.

Intergovernmental relations can be bilateral or multilateral. They often aim to coordinate policy, set standards, or create binding obligations through treaties or agreements. Formal intergovernmental entities, known as intergovernmental organizations, are created by treaties in which member states designate agencies to oversee certain functions.

Mechanisms include intergovernmental conferences, summits, negotiations, commissions, and secretariats. Instruments produced include treaties, conventions, agreements, and memoranda of understanding.

Examples include the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization; regional bodies such as the European Union, the Arctic Council, and ASEAN; and intergovernmental panels such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Intergovernmental arrangements can foster cooperation while preserving state sovereignty. They can harmonize standards, enable collective action, and manage cross-border issues. They can also be slow to negotiate and implement, with outcomes shaped by power asymmetries and political will.