IAGA Statutes 2019
IAGA Statutes 2019 were adopted at the Joint IAPSO-IAMAS-IAGA Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa in 2017.
Objectives | Administration | Finance | Voting | General | By-Laws | Glossary
I. Objectives, Structure and Membership of the Association
Statute 1. Objectives of IAGA
The objectives of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (henceforth IAGA) are:
(a) to promote studies of the geomagnetism and aeronomy of the Earth and other bodies of the solar system and of the interplanetary medium and its interaction with these bodies;
(b) to promote and encourage research in the above subjects by individual countries, institutions or persons and to facilitate international co-ordination of such research;
(c) to provide an opportunity on an international basis for presentation, discussion and publication of the results of the research indicated above;
(d) to promote appropriate standardisations of observational programmes, data acquisition systems, data analysis, modelling, and publications;
(e) to promote understanding and appreciation of geomagnetism and aeronomy by the general public through, but not limited to, public lectures, media events, media publication packages, etc.
Statute 2. Establishment of Component Bodies
To achieve its objectives, IAGA may establish Component Bodies both within the Association and jointly with other Associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), components of other Bodies of the International Council for Science (ICSU) or other internationally recognised scientific bodies.
Statute 3. A Member Country of IAGA
Fully accredited Member Countries of IUGG, as defined in IUGG Statute 4, are Member Countries of IAGA. Countries in Observer status or having Associate Membership of IUGG, as defined in IUGG Statute 4, have the same status in IAGA as in IUGG.
Statute 4. An IAGA National Body
Each Member Country shall be represented by a single body, henceforth referred to as the IAGA National Body, established in that country by the body that adheres to IUGG
II. Administration Statute
5. Assemblies of IAGA
5.1 A General Assembly of IAGA shall normally be held in conjunction with each General Assembly of IUGG.
5.2 A Scientific Assembly of IAGA shall be held between General Assemblies of IAGA, in accordance with IUGG By-Law 9.
5.3 An extraordinary General Assembly or an extraordinary Scientific Assembly of IAGA may be convened by the President in accordance with By-Law 5.
Statute 6. Delegates and Conferences of Delegates
6.1 The work of the Association shall be directed by Conferences of Delegates held at Assemblies of IAGA.
6.2 A Delegate is a scientist from a Member Country who is registered for an Assembly as a bonafide scientific participant, or someone who has the agreement of the Secretary-General in consultation with the IAGA Executive Committee to attend and vote as a Delegate at a Conference of Delegates.
6.3 Among the Delegates from each Member Country, one shall be identified by the respective IAGA National Body as Chief Delegate for the purpose of casting that country's votes on administrative and financial matters as stipulated in Statutes 12, 13 and 14. A Chief Delegate may be represented in voting matters by another Delegate appointed in accordance with the ByLaws.
6.4 A Delegate may represent only one Member Country. A member of the Executive Committee (see Statute 7) may not be a Chief Delegate, except when that member is the only person in attendance from the country in question.
6.5 A Conference of Delegates shall be convened at least once during each Assembly of IAGA.
Statute 7. The Executive Committee
7.1 Responsibility for the direction of IAGA affairs between Conferences of Delegates shall rest with an Executive Committee of the Association, elected at a Conference of Delegates.
7.2 Decisions of the Executive Committee must be reported to a Conference of Delegates. Any decision or recommendation failing to receive simple majority support from a Conference of Delegates shall be referred to the Executive Committee for further study.
7.3 The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to administer the affairs of the Association in accordance with these Statutes and By-Laws and the decisions of a Conference of Delegates.
7.4 The Executive Committee may appoint appropriate leaders and IAGA representatives to Joint Bodies established with other IUGG Associations, components of other ICSU Bodies, or other internationally recognised scientific bodies.
7.5 In its dealings with non-IUGG Bodies, the Executive Committee shall not commit the name of IUGG, or act on behalf of IUGG, unless prior approval has been secured from either the President or the Secretary-General of the IUGG, acting on behalf of the IUGG Executive Committee.
7.6 The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice at each Assembly, and must meet at least once more between Assemblies. Any such meeting between Assemblies can be conducted electronically, via audio and/or video links.
Statute 8. Membership of the Executive Committee
8.1 The Executive Committee shall be Chaired by the President of IAGA and shall consist of the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary General, the Treasurer, the Early Career Scientist representative, and six additional Members. Two members of the Executive Committee shall come from developing countries. All members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by a Conference of Delegates as an administrative matter with voting as stipulated in Statutes 13 and 14.
8.2 The President shall be elected for one Period, and may not be re-elected to the same office.
8.3 The retiring President (ex-officio) shall be entitled to attend Executive Committee meetings and participate in Committee business, but shall not vote or draw on IAGA funds to attend such meetings.
8.4 The two Vice-Presidents shall be elected for one Period, and may not be re-elected to the same office.
8.5 The Secretary General shall be elected for two periods and may be re-elected in extraordinary circumstances for up to two successive further periods.
8.6 The Treasurer shall be elected for two periods and may be re-elected in extraordinary circumstances for up to two successive further periods.
8.7 The Early Career Scientist Representative shall be elected for one Period, and may not be re-elected to the same office.
8.8 No person, other than the Secretary General and the Treasurer may serve in the same position for more than two Periods. A person who has already served for the maximum allowed number of Periods is not eligible for a lower position.
8.9 The election of the Executive Committee shall normally take place at a Conference of Delegates held at a General Assembly, with the exception of that of the Secretary-General who shall normally be elected at a Conference of Delegates held at a Scientific Assembly.
8.10 In the event of any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Executive Committee during a Period, the Executive Committee shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next election. The eligibility for election of a person so appointed shall not be affected by such an appointment. If the vacancy is that of the Presidency, one of the Vice-Presidents shall act as President
Statute 9. Duties of Component Bodies
9.1 The duties of the Component Bodies within IAGA (see Statute 2) shall be to further the scientific objectives of IAGA through:
(a) co-ordination of appropriate scientific research;
(b) organisation of scientific meetings and business meetings on the matter
(c) promotion of the exchange of information and data; and
(d) provision of advice to the Executive Committee on the formulation of policies to guide the scientific work of the Association
9.2 The duties of the Component Bodies established jointly with other Associations of IUGG, other ICSU Bodies or other internationally recognised scientific bodies (see Statute 2) shall be to deal with and co-ordinate those scientific programmes and/or meetings that cover topics of mutual interest, to promote the exchange of information, data and products derived from them, to undertake and promote educational and outreach activities, and to formulate policies and provide advice on topics of mutual interest.
III. Finance
Statute 10. Adoption of the budget
The Treasurer shall prepare a budget estimate of receipts and expenditures for each half-Period and present this budget before the Executive Committee and a Conference of Delegates at the time of an Assembly. On receiving the approval of both the Executive Committee and a Conference of Delegates, the Treasurer shall proceed with the disbursement of funds in accordance with that approved budget.
Statute 11. Finance Committee
11.1 A Finance Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee within six months after the opening of each General Assembly and shall normally serve for one Period.
11.2 No serving Executive Committee Member may be a member of the Finance Committee.
11.3 The Finance Committee shall examine the accounts and report the results of their examination for approval to the Executive Committee and to a Conference of Delegates at the time of an Assembly.
IV. Voting
Statute 12. Categories of Voting Matters
12.1 Prior to a vote by a conference of Delegates, the President, on the advice of the Secretary General, shall decide whether the matter under consideration is scientific, administrative, or financial.
12.2 Matters that are partly scientific and partly administrative and do not involve matters of finance shall be classified as administrative matters.
12.3 The President's ruling may be challenged only by the Chief Delegate of a Member Country. In the event of a challenge, the President's ruling can be changed in accordance with a vote passed at the Conference of Delegates by a two-thirds majority of those entitled to vote.
Statute 13. Voting Rules
13.1 When a vote is taken on a scientific matter, each Delegate present at a conference of Delegates shall have one vote.
13.2 When a vote is taken on an administrative matter, voting shall be by fully accredited Member Countries, each fully accredited Member Country having one vote cast by its Chief Delegate, or that person's representative appointed in accordance with the By-Laws.
13.3 When a vote is taken on a financial matter, voting shall be by fully accredited Member Countries, each fully accredited Member Country having a number of votes equal to the number of its category of membership in IUGG. Such votes shall be cast by the Chief Delegate of each fully accredited Member Country, or that person’s representative.
Statute 14. Voting at Conferences of Delegates
14.1 Decisions taken by a vote at a Conference of Delegates shall be valid only if at least half of the Chief Delegates of fully accredited Member Countries attending the Assembly are present or represented in accordance with the By-Laws.
14.2 Decisions of a Conference of Delegates shall be taken by a simple majority of the votes cast, except as otherwise specified in the Statutes. If a tie should occur, the decision shall rest with the President.
V. General
Statute 15. Modification of the Statutes
15.1 Modifications to these Statutes shall normally come into force at the close first General Assembly following the Assembly at which the modifications are adopted. Where a modification of the Statutes is approved at a General Assembly the changes shall normally come into force at the end of that same General Assembly.
15.2 These Statutes may only be modified with the approval of at least a two–thirds majority of Chief Delegates of fully accredited Member Countries present at a Conference of Delegates held during an Assembly, in accordance with Statutes 6, 13, and 14.
15.3 Only the IAGA National Body of a Member Country may propose a change to these Statutes. Any such proposal must reach the Secretary General at least six weeks prior to the announced date of the Assembly at which it is to be considered. The Secretary General shall notify all IAGA National Bodies of any proposed change at least four weeks prior to the announced date of the Assembly.
Statute 16. Modification of the By-Laws
A Conference of Delegates shall have the power to adopt By-Laws within the framework of the Statutes of the Association. These By-Laws may be adopted or modified by a simple majority vote of Chief Delegates of fully accredited Member Countries present at an Assembly, in accordance with Statutes 6, 13, and 14. Any modification of the By-Laws shall normally come into force at the close of the first General Assembly following the Assembly at which they are approved. Where a modification of the By-Laws is approved at a General Assembly the changes shall normally come into force at the end of that same General Assembly.
Statute 17. Languages
The present Statutes have been prepared in the official languages of the IUGG. The English text shall take precedence if there is a question of interpretation.
