The International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) is an independent, “non-profit, humanitarian association having social values as its objectives”, founded in 1970 in Sanremo, Italy. Its headquarters are situated in Villa Ormond, while a liaison office of the Institute is established in Geneva, Switzerland. The main purpose of the Institute is to promote international humanitarian law and related subjects. The Institute works in collaboration with international organisations dedicated to the humanitarian cause, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It has operational relations with the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the Organisation International de la Francophonie and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Furthermore, it has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Council of Europe. Organisation and bodies The Institute is composed of six statutory bodies namely the General Assembly, the President, the Council, the Executive Board, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer. The General Assembly, including all Members of the Institute, establishes the general policy of the Institute. It meets in an ordinary session each year to approve the annual budget and final accounts. The President is elected by the Council every four years and may be re-elected for a second consecutive term up to a maximum of eight consecutive years. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute and has the primary responsibility to ensure that the Institute pursues its purpose and objectives in conformity with the Statutes and the general policy established by the General Assembly. Current President of the Institute is Professor Edoardo Greppi. Former President, Judge Fausto Pocar, is Honorary President of the Institute. Lieutenant General (ret.) Giorgio Battisti (Italy), Professor Nils Melzer (Switzerland) and Ms Claire Legras (France) hold the position of Vice-Presidents. The Council is composed of twelve members elected by the General Assembly for a period of four years, each of whom may be re-elected for a total period of twelve consecutive years. The Council oversees the management of the Institute, determining the programme of activities, elects the President and Vice-Presidents and appoints the Secretary-General and Treasurer, who then form the Executive Board. The Municipality of Sanremo and the Italian Red Cross are ex officio members of the Council of the Institute. Currently, personalities of the diplomatic world, judges, scholars and military officers are