Governance
Ethical practice is core to the work of WPA and the value it delivers to its members. Accordingly, it is essential that its governance is unimpeachable. WPA relies on multiple, complementary processes and checkpoints to maintain the highest standards of ethical practice and service.
Statutes and Bylaws
The WPA is governed by a set of Statutes and Bylaws most recently amended and agreed at the 20th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry held "virtually" in 2020. The first statutes were created in 1950 under the auspices of the International Society for the Organisation of World Congresses. Since that time they have been reviewed, sometimes amended and approved at the General Assembly Meetings of every third World Congress of Psychiatry. They are next due for review and approval at the WPA World Congress of Psychiatry in 2026.
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Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in Vienna, 2023
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WPA Statutes and By-laws​​
Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in a Virtual Meeting, 2020
Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in Berlin, 2017
Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in Madrid, 2014
Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in Buenos Aires, 2011
Reviewed and approved by the General Assembly in Prague, 2008
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Please click here to read the WPA Statutes, reviewed and approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt, on
12 September, 2005.
Manual of Procedures
The Manual of Procedures complements the WPA Statutes and By-Laws by describing the procedures for the conduct of all regular activities of the World Psychiatric Association consistent with its constitutional mandate. It helps ensure that all WPA activities are transparent and consistent. A practical tool for all WPA components, the Manual is continuously developed and updated – new activities will be developed within the WPA’s existing statutory framework, whilst procedures for regular and ongoing activities will be refined in the light of evolving experience.
The ninth edition of the Manual of Procedures incorporates the amendments to the Statutes and By-Laws as agreed by the General Assembly held in Vienna in September 2023.
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Click here for the ninth edition of the WPA Manual of Procedures
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Governing Bodies
As mandated by the WPA Statutes & Bylaws, an executive committee of elected officials directs and oversees all work of the WPA. The executive committee is ably supported in this work by the WPA Secretariat, a board of zonal representatives, a council of past presidents and five standing committees.
Click here to read more about the WPA’s governing bodies
As mandated by the WPA Statutes & Bylaws, an executive committee of elected officials directs and oversees all work of the WPA. The executive committee is ably supported in this work by the WPA Secretariat, a board of zonal representatives, a council of past presidents and five standing committees.
Click here to read more about the WPA’s governing bodies
As mandated by the WPA Statutes & Bylaws, an executive committee of elected officials directs and oversees all work of the WPA. The executive committee is ably supported in this work by the WPA Secretariat, a board of zonal representatives, a council of past presidents and five standing committees.
Click here to read more about the WPA’s governing bodies
As mandated by the WPA Statutes & Bylaws, an executive committee of elected officials directs and oversees all work of the WPA. The executive committee is ably supported in this work by the WPA Secretariat, a board of zonal representatives, a council of past presidents and five standing committees.
Click here to read more about the WPA’s governing bodies