The Convention was signed on 26 November 2007 by State Secretary for Education and Research Charles Kleiber, State Councillor Charles Beer, Head of the Geneva Department of Education, and Roger de Weck and Jacques Forster, President and Vice-President of the new Institute's Foundation Board.

The Convention d'objectifs underlines the ambition "to be foremost among academic institutions" in the fields of international relations and development. The Institute will benefit from the collaboration between the academic world and international actors and the development of the swiss network for international studies "to reinforce Geneva's and Switzerland's reputation". It will create centres of competence "aiming at offering quality research, expertise and continuing education to the international community".

Before the fusion agreement was signed between the Graduate Institute of International Studies (HEI) and the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (IUED) the libraries and several administrative departments of the two founding institutes had merged and the Faculty Board and Academic Committee were formed.

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies will officially open its doors in January 2008.

Green light for the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies