The mission of the International Cartographic Association is to promote the discipline and profession of cartography in an international context.

ICA is the world authoritative body for cartography, the discipline dealing with the conception, production, dissemination and study of maps.

A map is a symbolised image of geographical reality, representing selected features or characteristics, resulting from the creative effort of its author's execution of choices, and is designed for use when spatial relationships are of primary relevance.

• to contribute to the understanding and solution of world-wide problems through the use of cartography in decision-making processes.
• to foster the international dissemination of environmental, economic, social and spatial information through mapping.
• to provide a global forum for discussion of the role and status of cartography.
• to facilitate the transfer of new cartographic technology and knowledge between nations, especially to the developing nations.
• to carry out or to promote multi-national cartographic research in order to solve scientific and applied problems.
• to enhance cartographic education in the broadest sense through publications, seminars and conferences.
• to promote the use of professional and technical standards in cartography.

The Association works with national and international governmental and commercial bodies and with other international scientific societies to achieve these aims.

Adopted by the 10th General Assembly of the International Cartographic Association, Barcelona, Spain, 3 September 1995.