WAITRO is an independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit association established in 1970 to promote and encourage co-operation among industrial and technological research and development organizations (RTOs). It was founded under the auspices of the United Nations system and has consultative status with many of its specialized agencies.

WAITRO aims to be an enabler for development action oriented partnerships among member organisations for sustainable development. WAITRO also seeks to enhance technological research in the developing world, and facilitate the exchange of research wherever possible.

Membership
Technical Membership: open to organizations (national bodies or institutes) actively engaged in industrial or technical research and development;

Sustaining Membership: open to organizations (public and private) active in encouraging and promoting research and development activities and desirous of assisting the Association by financial or other means of advancing its aims.

Full member organizations (171) in 78 countries and territories.