The International Geothermal Association (IGA), founded in 1988, is a scientific, educational and cultural organization. As of 2016, the IGA has more than 5,000 members in over 65 countries. It is a non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organization with special consultative status to the United Nations. The objectives of the IGA are to encourage research and the development and utilization of geothermal resources worldwide through the publication of scientific and technical information among the geothermal specialists, the business community, governmental representatives, UN organizations, civil society and the public.