INBAR was founded in 1997, with the mission “to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan within the context of a sustainable bamboo and rattan resource base, by consolidating, coordinating and supporting strategic and adaptive research and development.” 50 Member States are a part of INBAR. In addition to its Secretariat Headquarters in China, INBAR has Regional Offices in Cameroon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana and India.

Its unique organization allows INBAR to act as an important advocate for its Member States. With over 40 of its Member States from the Global South, INBAR has played an especially strong role in promoting South-South cooperation for the last 25 years. Since its founding, it has been making a real difference in the lives of millions of people and environments around the world, with achievements in areas such as raising standards, promoting safe, resilient bamboo construction, restoring degraded land, capacity-building, and informing green policy and Sustainable Development Goal objectives.