This document forms the Charter for the International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems ("IFAAMAS"). As such, it aims to set out the purpose and aspirations of IFAAMAS, and the principles governing the organization's operation and activities.

In what follows:

• "Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems" refers to the research and technical field encompassing autonomous agents, multiagent systems, agent theories, agent architectures, agent languages, and applications of the same;
• "the AAMAS Conference" refers to the International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems; and
• "the AAMAS Community" refers to the international scientific and technical community working on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, and in particular, that community that might be expected to submit papers to and attend the AAMAS Conference.

The mission of IFAAMAS is to:

1. Promote high quality scientific research and technological practice worldwide in Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, in accordance with standards of excellence and best international scientific practice, giving equal prominence to foundational, theoretical, experimental, and applied research.
2. Promote international education and awareness of research and practice in Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems through schools and workshops,   and by encouraging and favoring exchanges, joint research, and collaboration between different groups within the AAMAS Community, promoting new ideas and frontiers, young people, disadvantaged groups, and emerging countries,  communities and research directions.
3. Organise the AAMAS Conference annually, in accordance with international best practice for scientific conferences, until such time as IFAAMAS determines that the conference is either no longer viable or no longer makes a significant contribution to Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems.
4. Foster links between the AAMAS community and the wider international scientific community, promote exchanges with closely related disciplines (such as ALife, robotics, social simulation, and HCI), and support exchanges with other disciplines that have relevance to or interest in the work of the AAMAS Community (such as the biological, cognitive, economic, and social sciences) where such exchanges will further the goals listed above.
5. Foster links between the AAMAS community and the international business community, and national/international governments/government organisations, where such links will further the goals listed above.
6. Act as an authoritative and responsible international voice for the AAMAS community, informing public opinion and raising public awareness of this research and technology.
7. Promote the dissemination of AAMAS research and technology.
8. Raise awareness within the AAMAS Community of relevant professional, legal, and ethical issues associated with the work of the AAMAS Community, and encourage best scientific and professional practice when facing these issues.

The following principles should guide the operation of IFAAMAS, in furtherance of the mission of the Organisation:

• IFAAMAS should be managed and operated in accordance with best international practice for independent scientific organisations.
• IFAAMAS should serve the interests of the AAMAS community worldwide, and should endeavour to remain free of national or regional bias in terms of its representation and the activities it engages in.
• IFAAMAS should be a not-for-profit organisation. Any funds accumulated in pursuit of the mission of the Organisation should be used for legitimate educational and scientific purposes, in furtherance of the mission of the Organisation.
• IFAAMAS should have complete independence – financial and executive – from other organisations, and its funds should not be held by any other scientific organisation, or require the approval in any form from any such organisation for their use.