The CVF was founded on 10 November 2009 by 11 pioneering nations (Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Ghana, Kenya, Kiribati, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Vietnam) through the Malé Declaration. Since then, the CVF-V20 Secretariat has been hosted by several international organizations. 

In October 2015, the V20 Group of Finance Ministers was launched in Lima, Peru, alongside the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings, as the CVF’s dedicated platform for climate finance dialogue and action.

In early 2023, CVF-V20 member countries unanimously agreed to strengthen the organizational support for the institution by setting in motion the establishment of an independent, stand-alone secretariat. In September of the same year, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, CVF leaders adopted a declaration and charter confirming the operationalization of the independent CVF-V20 Secretariat, including for Ghana to host the Secretariat’s headquarters.

Article 2 of the International Law Commission defines international organizations as entities established “by a treaty or other instruments governed by international law and possessing its own legal international personality.”

While the CVF was not established by a treaty, it was founded through a formal declaration adopted by States, which qualifies as an instrument governed by international law.

Yes, the CVF meets the criteria set out by the International Law Commission for recognition as an international organization. 

The reference to “other instrument governed by international law” intended to encompass instruments such as resolutions or declarations adopted by international organizations or by conferences of heads of State—a practice reflective of CVF’s establishment.

Several international organizations established through other instruments governed by international law, apart from treaties, were granted observer status in the UNGA. Notable examples include: 

• University for Peace, established by a UNGA Resolution;
• Union for the Mediterranean, founded through a declaration adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference; and 
• Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization, created by the Final Communiqué of the Asian-African Conference.

Observer status provides the opportunity to participate in sessions of the UN General Assembly, engage with Member States and UN bodies, and actively contribute to global dialogue and policymaking on critical issues. While observers do not possess voting rights, this status enables them to share perspectives, submit communications, and collaborate in shaping the multilateral agenda.