The World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO, is a global forum for intellectual property services, policies, information and cooperation. They are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 191 member states. WIPO's mission stated as leading "the development of a balanced and effective international intellectual property (IP) system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all." WIPO's mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.