BEIJING (Sputnik) — In April 2015, Kosovo was approved as a provisional member of the organization.
“Kosovo has been accepted as an IAAF member federation. Votes: 187-13,” the IAAF said on its twitter account.
![About 1,000 young Kosovar Albanians celebrate the UCK [Kosovo Liberation Army] victory over the Serbs with NATO's help in the centre of Pristina 02 July 1999 - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101991/93/1019919307_0:174:1529:846_600x0_80_0_0_80e5c8da140a86029de79b39e58b2707.jpg "About 1,000 young Kosovar Albanians celebrate the UCK [Kosovo Liberation Army] victory over the Serbs with NATO's help in the centre of Pristina 02 July 1999")
The IAAF Congress is being held in Beijing on 19-20 August. It has powers to amend the rules of athletics competitions and to accept new members.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 108 UN member states, while Serbia considers Kosovo to be part of its territory. Dozens more countries, including Russia, do not recognize Kosovo's independence. Kosovo is currently a member of number international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and the Regional Cooperation Council.
