Fédération Internationale de Philatélie
The Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) was founded on 18 June 1926, and is the world federation for philately based in Zürich, Switzerland. Aims. The primary aims of the FIP are: Since its inception in 1926, when a small number of European federations came together to found a worldwide organisation, the FIP has promoted the hobby that is sometimes called "The King of Hobbies and the Hobby of Kings." FIP works to promote philately in developing countries, in Asia and in the industrialised countries, where it appears to be stagnating. It coordinates contact between the philatelic  organisations in different countries. Governance. The FIP is run by a Board of Directors with a President and three Vice-Presidents. Since 2010, the president has been Bernard Beston, of Australia. Commissions. There are eleven FIP Commissions which deal with the following subjects: Each Commission has its own Commissioner. Congress. The FIP Congress takes place annually during one of the international exhibitions that it has endorsed. Exhibitions. Every year the FIP provides patronage to a number of major stamp exhibitions. In 2008, FIP selected Tel Aviv, Paris, Bucharest, Prague, and Vienna. In 2004, FIP ran its first "World Stamp Competition  in Singapore and selected Tel Aviv for the second competition in 2008. The competitions involved national teams and philatelic jurors.