In 1907, the Central Office of International Institutions was founded in Brussels to enhance collaboration between various international organizations, and to serve as a documentation centre for documentation. In 1910, at the First World Congress of International Organizations in Brussels, representatives from 137 international civil society associations and 13 governments formally agreed to transform the Central Office into the Union of International Associations (UIA). From its inception, the UIA was designed to help manage relations between international associations, study questions of common interest, facilitate the creation of new organizations, support international education and undertake a range of publishing and documentation activities.

On 22 May 2025, an event in Brussels will reflect on the history of the UIA and its relation to wider histories of international cooperation. In addition to featuring a range of speakers, the event will include a reception to celebrate the UIA’s rich history. Attendance is by invitation only. To request an invitation please contact Clara at clara@uia.org