The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) is a global non-profit organization specializing in corporate governance, founded in 1995. Abbreviated from ‘International Corporate Governance Network,’ ICGN operates under the laws of England and Wales and primarily conducts activities related to information exchange and research for the improvement of corporate governance. As the largest organization in the field of corporate governance, ICGN currently counts more than 300 asset owners, asset managers, advisory institutions, and other members from over 40 countries as active participants. Domestically, the National Pension Service and Korea Investment Corporation are active ICGN members.
The establishment of ICGN dates back to the mid-1980s, when the importance of corporate governance was rising, particularly in North America and Europe. At that time, institutional investors recognized the need for international solidarity as they sought management strategies utilizing their equity holdings. In 1994, the establishment of ICGN was formally proposed at the International Roundtable of the Council of Institutional Investors (CII) General Meeting in the United States, and ICGN was founded the following year, in March 1995, in Washington, D.C.
[ICGN (International Corporate Governance Network) Ⓟ ESG.ONL/ESG Today]
ICGN’s primary activities are research on corporate governance principles and practices, and the formulation of guidelines presenting efficient standards that companies should observe in ESG. It enacted the Global Corporate Governance Guidelines in 1999 and the Executive Compensation Guidelines in 2006, and the domestic Stewardship Code introduced in 2016 also drew on ICGN materials as a reference. ICGN has been holding an annual regular conference since 1996, and since 2001, it has been awarding the ICGN Award to contributors to the improvement of corporate governance. Its organizational structure consists of a Board of Directors, an Executive Director and Secretariat, and Committees, with its Secretariat located in London, United Kingdom.
In February 2026, ICGN expressed its support for the proposed amendment to the Capital Markets Act to mandate sustainability disclosure in South Korea. In an open letter sent to the National Assembly ESG Forum, the Financial Services Commission, and the Korea Accounting Standards Board, it recommended the swift announcement of an ESG disclosure roadmap and the adoption of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards. As an authoritative body that has presented international standards for corporate governance and investor stewardship activities, ICGN serves as a key platform for improving global corporate governance.
by Editor O