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The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology was launched in 1983, through the signing of its Statutes (the international treaty sanctioning its existence, deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations) by 26 countries during a Plenipotentiary Meeting, held in Madrid.

The representatives of the Signatory Countries met in Vienna in 1984 and decided that ICGEB would be structured with two Components, one located in Trieste, Italy (which will also be the Headquarters of the Centre), and one in New Delhi, India as well as a network of Affiliated Centres.

Pending the entry into force of the Statutes, ICGEB started to operate in 1987 as a special programme of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The implementation of the programme was made possible through funds provided by the Host Governments of Italy and India. The Statutes of the Centre entered into force on 3 February 1994 and, in accordance with Article 1, the ICGEB became an autonomous, intergovernmental organisation.

ICGEB is part of the United Nations System.