The Trilateral Commission is a nongovernmental international organization and discussion group founded in July 1973 by American banker and philanthropist David Rockefeller to foster cooperation among North America, Western Europe, and Japan—later expanded to include the broader Asia-Pacific region and Europe and Asia-Pacific more broadly—on economic and global challenges. Established during a period of discord among the United States and its allies, the Commission serves as a forum for private citizens, including influential politicians, business executives, media leaders, academics, and intellectuals, to engage in substantive dialogue and promote policies supporting open economies, democratic principles, and the rule of law. Its founding was partly motivated by Rockefeller's disappointment with the Bilderberg Group's reluctance to include Japan. The organization operates through regional groups in North America, Europe, and the Pacific, holding annual plenary meetings, regional gatherings, and task forces that produce reports on issues like trade, security, and governance. Membership is by invitation only, limited to about 400 individuals from business, media, academia, and politics, with a focus on trilateral dialogue rather than formal decision-making. Over the decades, the Commission has expanded its scope to include emerging economies, adding countries like Mexico in 2001, and China and India in 2009, reflecting principles of economic weight and political influence. It has produced official publications through its quarterly magazine Trialogue and continues to incubate ideas and build relationships across sectors and geographies. Despite its stated nonpartisan and cooperative goals, the Trilateral Commission has faced significant controversy and allegations of undue influence. Critics, including conspiracy theorists, have accused it of promoting a 'New World Order' and serving elite interests to undermine national sovereignty, with claims dating back to the 1970s from figures like Barry Goldwater. It has been criticized for its perceived influence by powerful commercial and political interests, its secretive nature, and the overrepresentation of corporate leaders, allegedly prioritizing globalization over democratic accountability. No formal legal actions have resulted from these allegations, but they persist in public discourse. The organization remains a key venue for non-governmental policy-oriented discussions, recently holding meetings in locations such as New Delhi in 2023, while emphasizing a return to its roots of shared values amid contemporary global discord.