> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://strategy.gfmd.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/general-assembly.md). # General Assembly ## Frequency of meetings {% hint style="success" %} The GFMD General Assembly meets every four years to elect a new [Steering Committee](/governance/steering-committee.md). \* {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} Since 2022 -- as a consequence of GFMD's Brussels registration -- GFMD has also held annual meetings of its members to approve annual audited accounts and other administrative matters. {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} \* In 2020 GFMD members -- [following an online annual meeting ](/governance/general-assembly/2020-annual-meeting.md)-- voted to postpone voting for a new Steering Committee until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. {% endhint %} ### Upcoming meetings {% content-ref url="/pages/8CFI3VE9P0U4Q000yofQ" %} [2025 Annual Meeting](/governance/general-assembly/2025.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Recent meetings {% content-ref url="/pages/JdF5npezzAgzoOXvM5Aj" %} [2024 Annual Meeting](/governance/general-assembly/2024.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/vQmBNX2zWcxvMZjtgG6g" %} [2023 Annual Meeting](/governance/general-assembly/2023.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/bn9EBEA3krnOgVtiawuE" %} [2022 Annual Meeting](/governance/general-assembly/2022.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-MlGGvr-6FWmftFMx51N" %} [2021 GENERAL ASSEMBLY](/governance/general-assembly/2021.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ## FAQs To help new members and those unfamiliar with the processes and rules that govern GFMD's General Assembly we have put together some answers to frequently asked questions. {% hint style="info" %} Please note that the answers to these questions are abridged summaries. Full details are available in the [GFMD Constitution](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Lj-C8ThuMeL6rqYs6jRVsr_I2pXTYFJLeryrbFCgZ8/edit?usp=sharing). {% endhint %} {% embed url="" %} ### Is the General Assembly an in-person meeting? {% hint style="success" %} Yes. Every four years the **GFMD General Assembly** takes place in person to elect a new [Steering Committee](https://gfmd.info/who-is-who/steering-committee/). {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} The most recent in-person General Assembly took place in Tirana, Albania in 2021. The next in-person meeting will take place in 2025. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} The quadrennial in-person General Assembly normally takes place alongside a conference for the wider media development and journalism support community that involves - among others - donors, partners, and supporters, as well as [GFMD members](https://gfmd.info/members/). {% endhint %} ### Does the General Assembly meet between in-person meetings? {% hint style="success" %} Yes. Under GFMD's constitution and the rules related to GFMD's registration in Brussels, the General Assembly annually meets online in the three years between in-person meetings. {% endhint %} ### What is the General Assembly? {% hint style="info" %} The General Assembly is the sovereign body of the GFMD and brings together all [General Members](https://gfmd.info/members/?mt%5B%5D=685). {% endhint %} > [**7.2 Sovereign body** ](https://strategy.gfmd.info/governance/constitution/general-assembly#7.2-sovereign-body) > > The [General Assembly](#7.1-general-assembly) is the sovereign body of the GFMD and brings together all [members](/documents/constitution/membership.md), as well as [partners and supporters](/documents/constitution/partners-supporters.md), provided that only general members have the right to vote at General Assembly meetings. > > The General Assembly: > > * Approves annual financial report, including remuneration of members of the Executive Committee and the Steering Committee, the appointment of auditors or representatives and their fees, and the annual budget. {% hint style="info" %} The programme is prepared by the Steering Committee in consultation with members. {% endhint %} ### Can only GFMD members attend the GFMD General Assembly? {% hint style="success" %} Yes. The General Assembly is constitutionally mandated. Attendance and voting rights are accorded only to GFMD general members. Its procedures are governed by the[ GFMD Constitution](https://strategy.gfmd.info/documents/constitution). [GFMD Affiliate Members](https://gfmd.info/members/?mt%5B%5D=684) can attend but do not have voting rights. {% endhint %} ### Where has GFMD held in-person General Assembly meetings? {% hint style="info" %} Meetings of the General Assembly (and a wider conference alongside it) have previously taken place in Amman (2005), Athens (2008), Makhanda/Grahamstown (2012), Jakarta, (2016), and Tirana (2021)\*. *\* Delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.* {% endhint %} ### Has the General Assembly been called different things in the past? {% hint style="danger" %} No. However, the conference that often occurs at the same as the General Assembly has been referred to in different ways, including: * Global Forum for Media Development (also known as the Global Forum). * The [**World Forum for Media Development**](https://2016jakartaworldforumonmediadeve.sched.com/) in 2016 in Jakarta. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} To avoid confusion the Secretariat proposes that future meetings be referred to using the following naming conventions: **Global Forum for Media Development - General Assembly - Tirana, 2021** *The Global Forum for Media Development's General Assembly will take place in Tirana in 2021.* *The General Assembly of the Global Forum for Media Development of 2021 took place in Tirana, Albania.* {% endhint %} ### What happens at the General Assembly? {% hint style="info" %} The General Assembly: * Receives and approves a financial and activity report from the [Steering Committee](https://gfmd.info/who-is-who/steering-committee/) (the report is prepared by [the Secretariat](https://gfmd.info/who-is-who/secretariat/)) * Deals with appeals on decisions of the Steering Committee. * Deals with matters related to the amendment of [the constitution](https://strategy.gfmd.info/documents/constitution). * Decides on policy and overall strategy and priorities * Elects the Steering Committee. {% endhint %}