Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC)

The IGBC was created in 1998, and is composed of 36 Member States, whose representatives examine the advice and recommendations of the International Bioethics Committee.
Bioethics - DNA
© Getty Images / Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen

The Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC) was created in 1998, under Article 11 of the Statutes of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC). It is composed of 36 Member States, whose representatives meet at least once every two years to examine the advice and recommendations of the IBC. It informs the IBC of its opinions and submits these opinions along with proposals for follow-up of the IBC's work to UNESCO's Director-General for transmission to Member States, the Executive Board and the General Conference.

IGBC Sessions

  • Joint Session of the IBC and the IGBC / Thirty-first (Ordinary) Session of the IBC / Thirteenth (Extraordinary) Session of COMEST, UNESCO Paris, France, 16-20 September 2024
  • , UNESCO Paris, 18-19 September 2023
  • , UNESCO Paris, 19-23 September 2022
  • , 22 November 2021
  • , Online, 23-24 September 2021
  • , Online, 22-26 February 2021
  • , Paris, France, 25 November 2019
  • , UNESCO Paris, France, 6-7 June 2019
  • , UNESCO Paris, France, 11-12 September 2018
  • , UNESCO Paris, France, 11 November 2017
  • , UNESCO Paris, France, 19-20 June 2017
  • , UNESCO Paris, France, 12-16 September 2016
  • , Paris, France, 14 November 2015
  • , Paris, France, 16-17 July 2015
  • , Paris, France, 9-10 September 2014
  • , Paris, France, 19 November 2013
  • , Paris, France, 5-6 September 2013
  • , Paris, France, 13 September 2012
  • , Paris, France, 13-14 September 2012
  • , Paris, France, 5-6 September 2011
  • , Paris, France, afternoon of 29 October 2010
  • , Paris, France, 28 - morning of 29 October 2010
  • , Paris, France, 9-10 July 2009
  • , Paris, France, 29-30 October 2008
  • , Paris, 19-20 July 2007
  • , Paris, 26-27 January 2005
  • , Paris, 24-25 January 2005
  • , Paris, 23-24 June 2003
  • , Paris, 14-16 May 2001
  • , Rabat, 7-13 October 1999

What States are members?

  • Bangladesh*
  • Belgium*
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria*
  • Chile*
  • China*
  • Côte d’Ivoire*
  • Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Japan* 
  • Kenya
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon*
  • Luxembourg*
  • Madagascar
  • Morocco*
  • Namibia
  • Oman*
  • Panama
  • Portugal
  • Republic of Congo*
  • Republic of Korea*
  • Russian Federation*
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Sri Lanka*
  • Tunisia*
  • United States of America*
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) *
  • Zimbabwe

* States elected at the 42nd session of the General Conference; members of the IGBC until the end of the 44th session (Autumn 2027).

The other States remain members until the end of the 43th session (Autumn 2025).

** During the 42nd session of the General Conference, Group III presented two candidates for three vacant seats and Group V(a) presented two candidates for four vacant seats in their respective electoral groups. In total, 18 members were proposed for election by the General Conference at its 42nd session. The remaining seats will be open for election at the 43rd session of the General Conference.

How are the members chosen?

The 36 Member States are elected by UNESCO's General Conference, taking into account cultural diversity and balanced geographical representation. Members serve for terms of about four years, from the end of the ordinary session of the General Conference in which they are elected until the end of the second subsequent ordinary session.

Who can participate in IGBC sessions?

  • Member States, Associate Members of UNESCO may take part as official observers in the meetings of the IGBC, while non-Member States that have set up a permanent observer mission may do so at the invitation of the Director-General.
  • The United Nations and the other organizations of the United Nations system that have an agreement with UNESCO for reciprocal representation may also take part as observers in the meetings of the IGBC.
  • International governmental or non-governmental organizations with similar objectives to those of the IGBC may be invited to take part as observers in the meetings of the IGBC.
  • Specialists or other relevant persons or groups may be consulted on matters within the competence of the IGBC.

Bureau

Chairperson

  • Ms Marie-Geneviève Pinsart (Belgium)

Vice-Chairpersons

  • Bulgaria
  • Oman
  • Singapore
  • Venezuela

Resources

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