International organizations (IOs) are sometimes derided as ‘mere’ talk-shops. This is unfair for two reasons. The first and most obvious is that international organizations do more than serve as venues for government representatives to speak to (or at) one another – they act. The European Union and, to a lesser extent, other organizations have governing powers. The United Nations, African Union and NATO conduct peace operations. The World Bank and regional development banks finance development projects. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and multiple humanitarian organizations run refugee camps and massive aid programmes.