International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international governmental organization, operating as a specialized agency of the United Nations Organization. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IMF was established to manage the international financial and balance of payments systems and to help its members manage their currencies and national financial accounts. As outlined in the IMF's charter, its articles of agreement, the institution's primary purposes include the promotion of international monetary cooperation and exchange stability, thereby aiding the expansion of international trade and ultimately the overall economic prosperity of its members by helping to maintain high levels of employment and increase levels of real income.

The IMF's membership comprises only countries, those recognized as sovereign nation-states. There is no provision for joint membership of economic or monetary ...