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1. Name
The International Finance Forum (IFF), is a non-profit, non-official independent international organization (international organization code UIA ID: AA2980). The IFF was jointly initiated and established in October 2003 by China, the United States, the European Union, and other G20 countries and regions and emerging economies, as well as relevant international organizations and leaders such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. It is a high-level permanent dialogue mechanism and multilateral cooperation institution in the global financial field, where it is known as the ‘Finance 20’ (F20).
2. Mission
The IFF adheres to and follows the spiritual mission of ‘comprehensive and sustainable development-new capital, new value, new world,’ and is committed to becoming an international think tank and multilateral dialogue platform with strategic foresight. Through an open, fair and just operating mechanism, it ensures its independence, objectivity, foresight and inclusiveness so as to promote international financial exchanges and cooperation and play the role of an international financial think tank.
3. Purpose
In order to better play the role of IFF as a global financial multilateral cooperation institution and think tank platform, this membership charter is formulated in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the host country and the ‘International Financial Forum (IFF) Charter’ and other relevant provisions.
4. Member Definition and Role
‘Members’ (‘Member’ or ‘Members’ as the context may require) refers to enterprises and organizations that have been reviewed by the IFF Secretariat and meet the requirements of the ‘Member Recruitment Management Measures’ and whose applications have been approved. Each Member institution shall meet the following general standards:
• Have a global vision and industry relevance;
• Have a foresighted, reputable and morally upright core management team;
• Have a sound financial situation.
The IFF has established the IFF Member Community (‘Membership’) to integrate and establish a long-term and in-depth communication and cooperation platform for the organizations and its Members served by the IFF.
IFF activities specifically target the needs of Member institutions, and are committed to playing the IFF’s role as an international think tank and multilateral dialogue platform to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
5. Member Rights
All Members enjoy the following rights:
(1) Conference and Event Services
Only Member institutions have the right to participate in IFF activities. Member institutions will be invited to participate in relevant regional and industry events as appropriate.
The global chairman, CEO or company equivalent has the right to attend the IFF Global Annual Meeting. The proposal to be replaced by a senior manager who meets the specific criteria of the meeting can only be made once a year and must be approved by the IFF.
• Participate in various conferences and events hosted and co-organized by the IFF and enjoy special Member benefits;
• Get a free delegate quota to attend the IFF Global Annual Meeting that matches the membership level;
• If there are vacancies and they meet the criteria, with the approval of the IFF, Member institutions have the right to recommend business partners to invite to designated events;
• Enjoy priority arrangements in conference logistics, housing, etc. (determined by the available resources for specific activities);
• Enjoy priority participation in VIP activities at conferences and events;
• The IFF reserves the right to invite special guests to participate in activities as long as their attendance and contribution can create additional value for the Member institutions participating in the activities;
• Priority participation in domestic and international inspection and exchange activities organized by the IFF (at their own expense).
(2) Co-create influence services
• Priority to the right to make suggestions on topics related to the IFF Annual Meeting and other activities;
• As academic knowledge partners, Members can fully participate in the preparation of the forum's year-round platform projects, seminars and publications;
• Provide Members with the opportunity to initiate and lead new projects.
(3) Industry community and high-end social services
• Establish a Member center and digital social platform for IFF Members to promote communication among Members;
• Invite relevant members to join relevant professional committees/industry communities/working groups.
(4) Information services
The IFF will regularly inform Member institutions of the activities and services provided by the IFF.
• Receive the IFF newsletter, an exclusive electronic publication for IFF Members every week;
• Receive various research reports launched by the IFF every year to share IFF research results.
(5) Institutional publicity services
• Obtaining an official Membership certificate issued by the IFF Secretariat allows use of the name ‘International Financial Forum (IFF) Member’ in external publicity;
• Linking of the Member institution website on the IFF official website;
• The Member institution logo appears at certain conferences and events held by the IFF (determined by specific member rights and specific event available resources);
• Preferential advertising resources are provided by IFF media partners.
(6) Other value-added services
Priority to the right to host and sponsor various activities organized by the IFF;
entrust the IFF to hold special seminars on topics of concern, entrust the IFF to conduct market analysis and consultation on its business development plan, and entrust the IFF to recommend talents (the IFF will charge appropriate fees);
Priority access to the IFF's various consulting, education and training, and special research services.
6. Member obligations
(1) Comply with the ‘IFF Member Code of Conduct’ (see Appendix 1) and relevant regulations;
(2) Comply with and implement IFF resolutions;
(3) Maintain the legitimate interests of the IFF;
(4) Actively participate in various activities organized by the IFF;
(5) Member institutions are obliged to comply with the prescribed high-level participation standards when registering individual participants for different activities. If the IFF believes that the participants do not meet the required standards, it may reject the registration application of the Member institution.
(6) Provide true, legal and valid materials and information to the IFF;
(7) Pay Membership fees in accordance with regulations. The annual Membership fee bill shall be paid within 60 days. If it is not paid within this period, the IFF reserves the right to cancel the Membership without further notice.
(8) Other relevant obligations as stipulated by the IFF.
7. Membership and Member Relationship
The IFF brings together individuals (Members) and Member institutions committed to strengthening international cooperation in the financial and industrial fields to form a symbiotic platform for comprehensive communication and cooperation.
The IFF's core Members are the General Assembly, Council, Advisory Committee, and Academic Committee, which are composed of world-renowned financial leaders and experts. In addition, the IFF has established other exclusive theme or industry committees, inviting a wide range of diverse Members and Member institutions to participate.
All groups must comply with strict entry conditions to maintain their peer nature.
The IFF expands peer interaction among relevant senior decision-makers around the world through its official website and online Member center (an online social community, knowledge aggregation space and event management tool).
Membership provides a unique opportunity to interact and exchange expertise with other Members of the community, including strategic, industry and pioneer partners, representatives of international institutions, professional committees, chief economist communities, industry leaders, academic leaders, and other public figures.
8. Membership Meetings
IFF Membership meetings are characterized by a personal, informal and confidential atmosphere.
However, certain specific sessions may be recorded. Unless based on unanimous consensus, the IFF or Member institutions cannot make official statements on behalf of all Members.
Members can use these meetings as an opportunity to express their personal opinions.
9. Conditions for Admission
On a worldwide scale, organizations that meet the following criteria may apply for Membership:
(1) Are compliant with the laws and regulations of their host country;
(2) Have the intention to join the IFF and submit an application;
(3) Agree to abide by the IFF Charter and other relevant regulations of the IFF;
(4) Have a certain influence and reputation in the field they are engaged in;
(5) Have a high sense of social responsibility and mission;
(6) Are willing to fulfill the obligations of IFF Members.
The IFF Secretariat is obliged to ensure that Member candidates not only meet the Membership standards, but also meet the requirements for achieving the best regional and industry representation of Member organizations.
The Secretariat has the final decision on applications for Membership. The Secretariat can reject an applicant's application or place the application on the candidate list without the right of further appeal, and is not obliged to accept a company as a Member.
After the application for membership is approved by the Secretariat, the Membership is valid for three years. If the Member fails to pay the Membership fee on time, the Membership will be automatically canceled in the following year.
The IFF does not permit its Members to use and promote their connection with the IFF to enhance their economic status or reputation. As set forth in Article 14, such behavior may lead to termination of Membership and may result in legal proceedings.
10. Membership Procedure
Any institution that meets the requirements of Article 4 is eligible to apply to become a Member of the IFF. The application procedure for Membership is as follows:
(1) Documents and materials to be submitted
• Application form;
• Copy of the business license or legal person registration certificate of the applicant institution;
• Introduction to the applicant institution;
• Statement of the applicant institution on joining IFF Membership and the authenticity of the materials;
• And other materials that the IFF considers necessary as a supplement.
(2) How to submit an application
The application documents and materials should be sent to the Secretariat by express mail (the application form and related materials can be sent to the Secretariat's mailbox through the online application system for reference).
(3) Qualification review and certification
After receiving all the application documents and materials submitted by the applicant, the Secretariat will begin to verify and review the applicant's membership qualifications and make a decision on whether to grant the applicant Membership within 15 working days.
• If the applicant meets the IFF Membership qualifications, the Secretariat will make a decision to grant the applicant Membership and will send a written notice to the applicant. The applicant must pay the first year's Membership fee within 30 natural days after receiving the notice. The Secretariat will issue a formal Membership certificate to the applicant within 10 working days after confirming receipt of the payment. The applicant's Membership time shall be subject to the formal Membership certificate.
• If the documents or information provided by the applicant do not meet the requirements or are insufficient, the Secretariat will issue a written notice to the applicant within 5 working days of receiving the application for Membership, requiring the applicant to supplement the relevant documents and information to the Secretariat within 10 working days after receiving the notice.
(4) Payment method of Membership fee
The Membership fee shall be transferred to the account designated by the IFF by wire transfer.
11. Cancellation of Membership
Member institutions that wish to cancel their Membership at the end of the current year must notify the Secretariat in writing at least two months in advance, otherwise they shall assume payment of the Membership fee for the next year in principle.
12. Withdrawal
(1) Members have the right to freely withdraw from IFF Membership;
(2) When a Member decides to withdraw from IFF Membership, he/she/it shall notify the Secretariat in writing at least two months before the expiration of the Membership year. Once the Secretariat confirms this in writing, the Membership will be automatically terminated;
(3) After the Member's withdrawal application is accepted, paid Membership fees will not be refunded.
13. Member Code of Conduct
Each Member agrees to abide by the ‘IFF Member Code of Conduct.’ Violation of these rules will result in immediate termination of Membership as detailed in Article 14.
14. Termination of Membership
The IFF Secretariat may decide to terminate Membership at any time with immediate effect.
In addition to violations of the provisions of the Member Code of Conduct, the Secretariat may also consider the following as grounds for termination of Membership:
• The business or status of the Member institution has changed and it no longer meets the standards set out in Article 4, or inaccurate information was provided when joining the Membership;
• It commits serious illegal acts or engaged in acts that are detrimental to the interests of the IFF or other Members;
• It engages in disruptive behavior at IFF events;
• It performs improper commercial activities (including unsolicited promotion of products or services) against other Members, partner institutions or IFF Members through the abuse of privileged information (such as Membership lists and attendee manuals);
• It refuses to fulfill Membership obligations;
Before each decision to terminate Membership is made, the Secretariat will communicate with the relevant Member institution.
The decision to terminate Membership is final and the relevant Member institution expressly waives any possibility of appealing this decision to the legal authorities.
As a preliminary measure, the Secretariat may suspend Membership and provide further clarification if further clarification is required.
15. IFF and Member Relationship
Generally speaking, the Global Chairman/CEO/other senior executives are the main contacts between their companies and the IFF. Member institutions shall designate a person as a liaison to be responsible for daily communication and contact with the Secretariat. Member institutions shall promptly notify the Secretariat when changing their liaisons.
The IFF will also designate a Member supervisor to be responsible for the relationship and daily communication with each Member company.
16. Membership Fee Standard
The Membership period is three years, and the annual Membership fee of the Member institution is determined based on the Membership level and related rights and interests.
17. Membership Fee Use and Management
Membership fees are mainly used for IFF meetings, activities, research and daily operations of the Secretariat. The Secretariat shall establish a financial accounting system in accordance with international practices and relevant laws of the host country and do a good job of Membership fee management.
18. Interpretation
The right to interpret this management method belongs to the Secretariat of the International Financial Forum (IFF).
19. Effective Date
This Charter shall take effect from August 1, 2024 and shall apply to all Members.
Annex 1, Member Code of Conduct
1. Principles
The IFF adheres to and follows the spirit and mission of ‘comprehensive sustainable development - new capital, new value, new world‘ and is committed to becoming an international think tank and multilateral dialogue platform with strategic vision. Through an open, fair and just operating mechanism, it ensures independence, objectivity, foresight, and inclusiveness to promote international financial exchanges and cooperation so as to play the role of an international financial think tank.
Member institutions agree to uphold these principles and avoid taking any measures that conflict with the above core principles.
2. Confidentiality
Member institutions expressly agree that any information provided to Member institutions about participants or preparations for IFF activities within the scope of Membership rights will be strictly confidential and will only be used for meeting preparation and participation. Proprietary information shall not be transmitted to the outside world in any form.
3. Public Relations and Promotion Guidelines
Due to the independent and non-commercial nature of the IFF, Member institutions shall not conduct any publicity activities that violate the non-profit spirit and atmosphere of the IFF. Member institutions agree to consult with the IFF before taking any public relations or publicity measures related to their Membership relationship.
Members must obtain the express approval of the IFF before issuing press releases or other communications containing information about events or related projects before participating in IFF events, and before using the IFF name or referring to IFF events in print, on the internet or in any other form of media, or for external marketing or advertising purposes.
In order to avoid commercializing the Forum's activities, Member institutions commit themselves to exercising the utmost of restraint in any promotional activities outside the venues of regional meetings or annual meetings.
In order to protect the experience and privacy of attendees, Member institutions shall not systematically promote or distribute materials at IFF events or in hotels without the approval of the IFF.
4. Use of IFF logo and other promotional materials
Members shall not use the IFF logo or other promotional materials for any promotional activities that are inconsistent with the non-commercial spirit and neutrality of the IFF.
Members shall not use the IFF logo or other promotional materials in any form of documents, promotional materials, marketing, advertising or public relations activities, including but not limited to materials in print and electronic formats, without the express authorization of the IFF Secretariat. At the same time, the IFF does not endorse any organization or its products.
If a Member organization wishes to display its logo, slogan or advertisement in various activities organized by the IFF, including but not limited to conferences, media conferences and various sponsored events, it must ensure that its behavior is supported and constrained by the corresponding contract terms or Membership rights terms, except for special cooperation circumstances as determined by the IFF at its own discretion.
