Manchester, UK, August 9, 2000
STATUTES
I.   DENOMINATION, OBJECTS AND DOMICILE
1.	The International Astronomical Union (referred to as the Union) is an international non- governmental organization, whose objects are:
1.a.	-  to develop astronomy through international co-operation,
1.b.	-  to promote the study and development of astronomy in all its aspects,
1.c.	-  to further and safeguard the interests of astronomy.
2.	The legal domicile of the Union is Brussels.
II.   ADHERENCE OF THE UNION
3.	The Union adheres to ICSU :  the International Council for Science
III.   COMPOSITION OF THE UNION
4.	The Union is composed of:
4.a.	-  Full Members (Adhering Countries)
4.b.	-  Associate Members (Associate Countries)
4.c.	-  Individual Members (Members)
IV.   AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS
5.	The Union may admit the affiliation of international non-governmental organizations which contribute to the development of astronomy.
V.   MEMBERSHIP
National Membership
Adhering Countries
6.	Countries adhere to the Union either:
6.a.	-  through the organization by which they adhere to the International Council for Science, or through a National Committee of Astronomy approved by that organization,
	or:
6.b.	-  if they do not adhere to the International Council for Science, through a National or other appropriate Committee for Astronomy recognized by the Executive Committee of the Union,
6.c.	-  the Adhering Organizations as defined in article article 6.a. above and National or other appropriate Committees of Astronomy as defined in article article 6.b. above, being referred to as Adhering Bodies.
7.	Adherence of a country to the Union is approved, on the proposal of the Executive Committee, by the General Assembly; it terminates if the country withdraws from the Union or if the country has not paid its dues for five years.
8.	Adhering Countries are classified in categories.  The number of categories shall be specified in the Bye-Laws.  A country requesting adherence shall specify the category in which it desires to be classed.  The specification may be declined by the Executive Committee if the category proposed is manifestly inadequate.
Associate Countries
9.	Countries desiring to join the Union while developing Astronomy in their territory may do so as Associate Members.  Exceptionally, one Associate Member may represent the territory of more than one country, provided that no part of that territory is already represented by another Member.
10.	The Adhering Body for Associate Members may be the organization by which the country adheres to the International Council for Science, a National Research Council or equivalent, or an institution of higher learning.
11.	Associate Members are admitted to the Union by the General Assembly on the proposal of the Executive Committee, for a maximum interval of nine years. At the end of that period, they either apply to become Full Members, or resign from the Union.
12.	At the request of the Adhering Organization, the Union may agree to assist the Associate Member  in the development of Astronomy through appropriate programmes approved by the Executive Committee.
Individual Members
13.	Individual Members are admitted to the Union by the Executive Committee, on the proposal of an adhering body referred to in article 6 and article 7 here above, with regard to their achievements in some branch of astronomy.  Individual astronomers who are not represented by an adhering body may be admitted by the Executive Committee on the proposal of a Division President or the Chairperson of a Working Group of the Executive Committee.
VI.   GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
14.a.	The work of the Union is directed by the General Assembly of representatives of Adhering Countries and of Members.  Each Adhering Country appoints a representative authorised to vote in its name.
14.b.	The General Assembly draws up Bye-Laws governing the application of the Statutes.
14.c.	The General Assembly elects an Executive Committee to implement the decisions of the General Assembly, and to direct the affairs of the Union in the interval between meetings of two successive ordinary General Assemblies.  The Executive Committee reports to the General Assembly.  The General Assembly, in accepting the report of the Executive Committee, discharges it of liability.
15.a.	On questions concerning the administration of the Union, not involving its budget, voting at the General Assembly is by Adhering Country, each country having one vote.  Adhering Countries which have not paid their annual contributions up to 31 December of the year preceding the General Assembly may not participate in the voting.
15.b.	On questions involving the budget of the Union, voting is similarly by Adhering Country, under the same conditions and with the same reservations as in article 15.a. here above, the number of votes for each Adhering Country being one greater than the number of its category, as defined in article 8 here above.
15.c.	Adhering Countries may vote by correspondence on questions on the agenda for the General Assembly.
15.d.	A vote is valid only if at least two thirds of the Adhering Countries having the right to vote by virtue of article 15.a. participate in it.
15.e.	Associate Members have the right to vote only on questions concerning Associate Membership.
16	On scientific questions not involving the budget of the Union the Individual Members of the Union each have one vote.
17.	On all questions in article 15 15 and article 16 here above, decisions are taken by an absolute majority of the votes cast.  However, a decision to change the Statutes is only valid if taken with the approval of at least two thirds of the votes of the Adhering Countries having the right to vote by virtue of article 15.a. here above.
18.	A motion to change the Statutes can only be discussed if it appears, in specific terms, on the agenda for the General Assembly.
VII.   EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
19.	The Executive Committee consists of the President of the Union, the President-Elect, six Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary and the Assistant General Secretary, elected by the General Assembly on the proposal of a Special Nominating Committee.
VIII.   DIVISIONS AND COMMISSIONS
20.	The General Assembly forms Commissions and Divisions.  The Divisions combine Commissions with related scientific or technical themes. Divisions should have approximately equal numbers of Members.
IX.   LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE UNION
21.	The General Secretary is the legal representative of the Union.
X.   BUDGET AND DUES
22.a.	For each ordinary General Assembly the Executive Committee prepares a budget proposal covering the period to the next ordinary General Assembly, together with the accounts of the Union for the preceding period.  It submits these to the Finance Committee for consideration; this Finance Committee consists of one member nominated by each adhering body and approved by the General Assembly.  At its first meeting during the General Assembly, the Finance Committee elects a President from among its members.
22.b.	The Finance Committee examines the accounts of the Union from the point of view of responsible expenditure within the intent of the previous General Assembly, and it considers whether the proposed budget is adequate to implement the policy of the General Assembly, as interpreted by the Executive Committee.  It submits reports on these matters to the General Assembly for the approval of the accounts and decision on the budget.
22.c.	Each Adhering Country pays annually to the Union a number of units of contribution according to its category.  The number of units of contribution for each category shall be specified in the Bye-Laws.
22.d.	Associate Members pay annually one half unit of contribution.
22.e.	The amount of the unit of contribution is determined by the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Executive Committee and with the advice of the Finance Committee.
22.f.	The payment of contributions is the responsibility of the adhering bodies.  The liability of each Adhering Country in respect of the Union is limited to the amount of that country's dues to the Union.
22.g.	An Adhering Country that ceases to adhere to the Union resigns at the same time its rights to a share in the assets of the Union.
XI.   DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION
23.	The decision to dissolve the Union is only valid if taken with the approval of three quarters of the votes of the Adhering Countries having the right to vote by virtue of article 15.a. here above.
XII.   EMERGENCY POWERS
24.	If, through events outside the control of the Union, circumstances arise in which it is impracticable to comply with the provisions of these Statutes and of the Bye-Laws drawn up by the General Assembly, the organs and officers of the Union, in the order specified below, shall take such actions as they deem necessary for the continued operation of the Union.  Such action shall be reported to a higher authority immediately this becomes practicable until such time as an extraordinary General Assembly can be convened.  The following is the order of authority: - the General Assembly; - an extraordinary General Assembly; - the Executive Committee in meeting or by correspondence; - the President of the Union; - the General Secretary; or failing the practicability or availability of any of the above, - one of the Vice-Presidents.
XIII.   FINAL CLAUSES
25.	These Statutes enter into force on 10 August 2000.
26.	The present Statutes are being published in French and English versions.  In case of doubt, the French version is the only authority.