The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique - FIGO) was established in Geneva in 1954.
 

It is a unique organisation, the only global organisation representing national societies of obstetricians and gynecologists. Currently, FIGO has Member Societies in 125 countries or territories. Its Secretariat is based in London, the United Kingdom.

For over 60 years it has collaborated with the world’s top health and donor bodies e.g. the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation etc.

FIGO is a professional organisation that brings together obstetrical and gynecological associations from all over the world. FIGO is dedicated to the improvement of women’s health and rights and to the reduction of disparities in healthcare available to women and newborns, as well as to advancing the science and practice of obstetrics and gynecology.
 

The organisation pursues its mission through advocacy, programmatic activities, capacity strengthening of Member Associations, education and training.
 

FIGO’s overall goals are:

• to improve the health and wellbeing of women and newborn children worldwide;
• to raise the status of women and enable their active participation to achieve their reproductive and sexual rights with access to efficient education and services throughout their life cycle;
• and to upgrade the practice of obstetrics and gynecology through education, training and research to maintain a high standard of professionalism and ethical adherence

FIGO’s considerable global achievements include a staging system for gynecologic tumours (used in hospitals worldwide); ethical guidelines; harmonisation of scientific terminology; numerous General Assembly resolutions; and various major maternal and newborn health initiatives funded by major global donor bodies.

FIGO pursues its mission through advocacy, programmatic activities, capacity strengthening of Member Societies, education and training. This mission encompasses the implementation of global projects on specific women’s health issues.
 

In addition, FIGO's specialist Committees and Working Groupsembrace many aspects of obstetrics and gynecology such as oncology, perinatal health, education, safe motherhood, medical terminology, new technology, the pathology of the breast and ethics.
 

FIGO actively collaborates with many other global, national and regional organisations to promote the wellbeing of women and to raise the standards of practice in obstetrics and gynecology.