The Academy is a sovereign body governed by a General Assembly in which all Founding and elected Fellows are member. The number of Academy Fellows was 88 in January 2001 They represent more than 30 countries and numerous scientific disciplines.

The Fellows of the Academy are eminent figures, each of whom in his field has achieved a great deal and has contributed significantly to his country's development and to that of the Developing World in general.

The General Assembly of the IAS has convened annually since its inception in late 1986.

Accomplishing and planning future Academy activities are the major issues discussed at these meetings. Administrative and financial issues are also followed up and decided upon.

The task  of  implementing  the programme of the  Academy,  as well as being  the    responsibility   of   the General Assembly, Council and Secretariat, is also that of the five Academy Standing Committees, which were conceived as programme generating instruments, when the Academy was founded.

See list of IAS Fellows