IX. The International Geographical Congress

A. An international geographical congress shall, if possible, be held approximately every four years.

B. Invitations shall be addressed to the Secretary‑General by member countries of the Union or by groups of member countries offering to act as hosts, and the acceptance of an invitation shall be by vote of the General Assembly by adhering countries of the Union. A General Assembly may accept invitations for the two next succeeding Congresses.

C. When an invitation has been accepted, the organization and financing of the Congress shall, subject to the other provisions stated in Article IX, be the responsibility of the host country or countries. However, the Executive Committee shall advise on the program planned for the Congress. It shall be the responsibility of the host country or countries that:

1. suitable facilities are provided for the meeting of the General Assembly;
2. provision shall be made for the meetings of the Executive Committee and for the functioning of the Secretariat;
3. facilities in time and space shall be made available for meetings of Commissions of the Union;
4. outline proposals for the Congress arrangements shall be submitted to the Executive Committee at least two years in advance of the date of the Congress. The Executive Committee shall satisfy itself that the proposals are compatible with the Statutes of the Union. A representative of the Organizing Committee of the next Congress shall normally be invited to attend the meeting of the Executive Committee at which the proposals are considered, and the host country shall be asked to invite a member or members of the Executive Committee for consultation

D. The Secretary‑General shall inform member countries of the Union of the location of the next International Geographical Congress and of the address of the organizers. Thereafter communication may be directed between Committees for the IGU or individuals and the Organizing Committee of the next Congress.

E. The working languages of an International Geographical Congress shall be English and French. With the approval of the Executive Committee the language of the host country may be used in discussions provided that appropriate translation facilities have been arranged.

F. The Executive Committee may accept invitations for regional conferences or other international meetings of a more restricted character or for special purposes or may itself sponsor or organize such meetings.

G. A general international geographical congress or regional conference shall be open to delegates from all members of the Union and to individuals both from member countries and from countries which are not members.

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