Association of Provinces of the Netherlands
The Association of Provinces of the Netherlands (Interprovinciaal Overleg; IPO) is the association of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. The association looks after provincial interests and forms a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience among the twelve Dutch provinces. The IPO also stimulates and takes the initiative in reform programmes.
The executive of the IPO consists of thirteen members, made up of one from each province (who can be a member of that province's Gedeputeerde Staten, or its Queen's Commissioner) plus a chairman. The present chairman is Jan Franssen, Queen's Commissioner in Zuid-Holland. The IPO's general assembly is made up of sixty members of the States-Provincial (5 from each province).
The office of the IPO presents provincial interests through relations with the central government, the European Union, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, the Unie van Waterschappen and with social organizations.