The Bahá'í International Community represents the worldwide Bahá’í community at the international and national levels.  It operates under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, the international, elected governing council of the Faith, which has its seat at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa, Israel.

Bahá'ís are active in numerous coalitions of nongovernmental organizations, focusing particularly on the advancement of the status of women, human rights, issues of prosperity and economic justice, and moral development.  Bahá'ís are also engaged in efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and joint action with other faith communities.

The Bahá’í International Community Secretariat is an integral part of the Bahá’í World Centre.  It has an essentially diplomatic function and represents the Universal House of Justice at the most senior level.  It has special responsibility for relations with the government of the Bahá’í World Centre’s host country and handles high-level contacts with other governments and international organizations, as appropriate.

The Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office has consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Children's Fund, and working relations with several other U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO).  It registered with the United Nations as an international NGO in 1948.  The office also leads efforts in defense of the rights of Bahá'ís in countries where they are persecuted.  Its offices are located in New York City and Geneva. 

The Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information serves the need for information about the Bahá’í Faith and its community through publications, media relations, Web sites, newsletters, and other representation.  The office is based at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa, Israel.