International Communities Organisation
| Abbreviation | ICO |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2016 |
| Type | Non-governmental organisation (NGO) |
| Legal status | Specialist Consultants to UN Economic and Social Council, since 2021 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Fields | Peacebuilding, Development, Capacity-building, Inclusive Governance, Economic Revitalisation |
Founder and Executive Committee Secretary General | James Holmes |
| Website | https://internationalcommunities.org/ |
International Communities Organisation (ICO) is a London-based international organisation working for peace and reconciliation in divided conflict areas, founded in 2016. ICO's projects include in-country programmes, UN UPR implementation, General Assembly co-ordination, and research development.[1]
History
ICO is based in London and was founded in 2016 by James Holmes.[2]
United Nations Special Consultative Status
In 2021, ICO was granted the Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations,[3] with Mr Abdulla Shahid, the former President of the UN General Assembly appointed as the ICO's International Ambassador.[4]
Programmes
ICO develops projects alongside partners, including the Middle East, Cameroon, Cyprus and Kosovo. ICO has conducted peace-building operations between Israel and Palestine,[5] and engaged in capacity building within the context of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.[6] They have also facilitated cross-community dialogue across Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities,[7] as well as providing a national platform for minority communities in Kosovo.[8]
References
- ↑ Hossain, Naureen (2025-12-09). "UN Pact for the Future Requires Global Solidarity and Localized Solutions". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Gotevbe, Victor (2025-12-19). "Interview: Why Delivery, Not Declarations, Will Define the Pact for the Future | James Holmes". Diplomatic Watch. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Agana, Roger A. (2025-12-18). "International Communities Organisation Warns UN Members on Peace Implementation Failures | NewsGhana". News Ghana. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid Meets UN Secretary-General to Discuss Conflict Mediation Efforts". sukunplay.com. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Securing Peace through Recognition and Reform: International Communities Organisation (ICO) Case Study in Advancing the Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine — Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute (BISI)". Bloomsbury Intelligence & Security Institute (BISI). Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Africa, Building Schools for (2023-09-18). "Working with International Communities Organisation". Building Schools for Africa. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
- ↑ CYPDC (2024-10-08). "Dr. Meltem Onurkan Samani Returns from High-Level Discussions in New York". CPDC. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
- ↑ info@orainfo.com, Orainfo. "Rexhepi: Marrëveshja me ICO-në do të mundësoj hapje e vendeve të reja të punës e zhvillim ekonomik". Retrieved 2026-06-23.