Charter of International Alliance of Robotics Associations

Ⅰ Name
Chinese name:国际机器人组织联盟
Chinese abbreviation:伊尔来
English name: International Alliance of Robotics Associations
English abbreviation: IARA

Ⅱ Headquarters Address and Official Website
Headquarters address: Hangzhou, China
Official website: www.iara.global

Ⅲ Set-up time
On October 19, 2019, the IARA Preparatory Committee was established during the 5th West Lake International Robot Forum (WIRF2019).
International Alliance of Robotics Associations (IARA) will be formally established in 2020.

Ⅳ Definition and Nature
International Alliance of Robotics Associations is an international robot technology cooperation and coordination organization, initiated by robotics associations from different countries and regions. The robot association is hereby defined as: robot associations, robot clusters, robot societies, robot ecosystems, robot industrial zones, robot science parks, robot incubators, shared robot workplaces, robot towns and robot valleys with a membership base of at least 50 contributors, legitimately governed by local regulations, and guided by a mission compatible with IARA.
The nature of IARA is a non-governmental, non-profit independent robot industry organization engaged in communication and cooperation among international robot associations, and does not involve any political or religious activities.

Ⅴ Mission and Objective
In the spirit of promoting an open, innovative, mutually beneficial and win-win culture, we jointly and synergistically work together to advance the industrial and technological progress of alliance members, strengthen communication and cooperation among members, facilitate the development of robot industry around the world and enable robots to better serve human society.

Ⅵ Membership
Member is the basic unit of IARA.
Conditions for becoming a Member:
Any organization that agrees to abide by the Charter of IARA can apply to become a member of IARA.
1. Process of being a member
1)Submit application to IARA Secretariat.
2)The application will then be submitted by the Secretariat to the Council for voting online or offline.
3)Membership obtained with at least 50% approval from the Council meeting.
2. Rights and obligations of members
1)Members have the right to participate in the events organized by IARA.
2)Members have the obligation to abide by the IARA Charter.
3)Members have the obligation to actively support the development of IARA.
4)Members have the right to freely withdraw from IARA.
3. Membership cancellation
1)Member who does not participate in any activities organized by IARA for two consecutive years.
2)The member applies for withdrawal.
3)When a member conducts serious violation of IARA Charter, the Secretariat will issue a warning to the member in writing. If it fails to rectify its mistakes after the second warning, the member will automatically lose membership. 

Ⅶ Organization Structure
1. General Meeting
The General Meeting is IARA’s highest decision-making event, and is held once a year. Main functions of the General Meeting are as follows:
1)Approving or revising the Charter
2)Approving the establishment of subordinate departments
3)Electing council members. Councillorship is obtained with at least 60% approval at the General Meeting
4)Deciding IARA’s important matters
2. Council Member
1)Council members shall be elected from IARA Members.
2)The Council runs with a five-year term. A new council will be elected every five years. The names of prospective new council members shall be nominated by the previous secretariat, approved by the previous council, then submitted to the IARA General Meeting for voting to set up a new council.
3)If more new council members are needed during the tenure, the Secretariat will nominate names and send them to the council for voting.
4)The balance among countries must be fully considered when council members are appointed. Each country shall have no more than two members in the council. The nine founding members are natural and permanent Council Members.
3. Council Meeting
1)The Council Meeting is a standing decision-making event and is held at least once a year. The Chairman may use their discretion to convene an interim council meeting at any time.
2)The Council elects or removes the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. The list of candidates for these positions is submitted by the previous secretariat.
3)The council meeting notice is issued and an agenda released by the Secretariat one month before the Council Meeting. If an IARA Council Member has a topic to discuss at the council meeting, the Member should file the document to the Secretariat six weeks before the Council Meeting.
4)60% of the Council Members are required to be present to make a Council Meeting valid. Virtual presence is also acceptable if announced beforehand. 66% of the votes of the council attendees must be obtained to determine the following matters:
(1) Approval of the IARA new membership applications.
(2) Appointment or removal of IARA Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(3) Appointment or removal of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Vice Secretary-General(s).
(4) Other important matters requiring the decision of the Council Meeting which are suggested by the Chairman or at the Chairman Meeting.
4. Secretariat
The Secretariat is a permanent executive body of IARA, located in Hangzhou, China. It consists of a Secretary-General, a Deputy Secretary-General, Vice Secretary-General(s) and Secretariat staff, and is responsible for the daily affairs of IARA, including but not limited to the following:
1)Liaising with IARA members, and assisting members in developing their own business.
2)Recruiting new members and receiving new member applications.
3)Nominating candidates for the Council.
4)Executing the decisions of General Meetings, Council Meetings, and/or the Chairman Meetings.
5)Communicating and coordinating with governments and related organizations on behalf of IARA.
5. Chairman Meeting
The Chairman Meeting is hosted by the Chairman, and attended by the Vice Chairman, Secretary-General, and Deputy Secretary-General, and is held when needed to discuss and deal with emergencies or important temporary decisions. Vice Secretary-Generals are nominated by the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary-General, and Deputy Secretary-General, and appointed at the Chairman Meeting.
6.Experts Consultation Committee
The committee consists of distinguished robotics experts around the world. Candidates for Expert Consultation Committee are recommended by the Secretariat, and approved at the Chairman Meeting. The committee provides strategic and technical advice to the Chairman and Secretariat.
7.Special provisions on the nine founding members
IARA was initiated by 9 countries including ZRIA. In view of the special contributions of the nine founding members to IARA, it was agreed to set up nine founding members as natural and permanent council members. These Founding Members are:

Ⅷ Duties:
1. Chairman
1)Presiding over the overall work of IARA.
2)Chairing and holding General Meeting, Council Meeting, Chairman Meeting.
3)Nominating Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Vice Secretary-Generals.
2. Vice Chairman
1)Assisting the Chairman.
2)Taking responsibilities which are assigned.
3)Completing the relevant affairs entrusted by the Chairman.
4)Participating in the formulation of IARA development plan and decision-making of major issues.
5)Recommending candidates for Vice Secretary-Generals and the heads of subordinate departments.
3. Secretary-General
1)Executing the resolutions made at chairman meeting.
2)Guiding and Coordinating the work of IARA Secretariat.
3)Liaising among IARA members.
4)Promoting the major international events of IARA.
5)Coordinating the communication among international robotics associations.
6)Recommending the candidates for Deputy Secretary-General and the heads of subordinate departments.
4. Deputy Secretary-General
1)Presiding over the daily work of IARA Secretariat.
2)Chairing and holding Secretariat working meetings.
3)Managing the daily operation of IARA headquarters.
4)Recommending the candidates for Vice Secretary-Generals and the heads of subordinate departments.
5. Vice Secretary-General
1)Assisting Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.
2)Taking responsibilities which are assigned.
3)Recruiting new members.
4)Supporting IARA Secretariat.

Ⅸ Funding Sources
1. Membership fees: No membership fee
2. Member sponsorship: Members sponsor IARA
3. Advertising revenue: Brand licensing and advertising sponsorship
4. Activity income: Exhibitions, competitions, training, conferences, etc.

Ⅹ Working Principles of Robot Alliance
1. Open sharing: open-mindedness, open organization; sharing information, resources, and achievements.
2. Start small, think big: start from organising conferences, forums, exhibitions, games, and information exchange, then expand the work to making standards, cooperative research and development, and industrial chain cooperation.
3. Seek common ground while reserving differences: maintain the characteristics and individuality of members, while pursuing the common goals and values.

Ⅺ The four pillars of IARA
Members agree to promote business cooperation of robot enterprises among all nations, including but not limited to the following activities:
1.Inducting and Enabling robotics and related skills enhancement network
1)By supporting robotics seminars, academic conferences and activities on knowledge exchange
2)By organizing academic and knowledge exchange on robotic technologies and development
3)By delivering training programs and certifying professional competency in robotics and relevant technologies
2. Aligning and Fostering cooperation to advance robotic innovations
1)By promoting international cooperation on industry focused robotic application research
2)By facilitating innovations through global networking and collaboration
3)By promoting excellence through holding global robotic games and competition
3. Rendering and Contributing to improve higher-order harmony in society
1)By establishing and promoting responsible standards on the use of robotics and related technologies
2)By promoting cooperation and mutual exchanges amongst Members
3)By supporting and participating on trade exhibitions, import and export marketing activities, and assist in developing markets
4. Advancing the promises and potential of robotic and related technologies
1)By establishing and leveraging an international robot industry development fund