It exists to improve the understanding, management and governance of emerging and systemic risks that may have significant adverse consequences for human health and the environment, the economy and society.

The Swiss Federal Assembly then created the International Risk Governance Council to bridge increasing gaps between science, technological development, decision-makers, and the public.

[3]José Mariano Gago, the former Portuguese Minister for Science and Higher Education, was the first chairman of the Foundation Board followed by Donald J. Johnston and Granger M. Morgan.

Currently, IRGC is active in the areas of nanotechnology,[19] climate engineering,[20][21] the low-carbon transition,[22] space debris collision risk,[23][24][25][26] deepfakes,[27][28] and governance of digital technology.

[29][30][31] Past areas of focus include biosecurity,[32] precision medicine,[33] synthetic biology,[34] unconventional gas development, bioenergy, and critical infrastructure.