RIPE (Réseaux IP Européens) was created in 1989 to coordinate IP networks across Europe as they grew beyond local area networks and extended across national and international wide area networks. RIPE acts as a forum for technical information exchange and expertise building on IP networking in Europe. Key activities of RIPE include operational coordination of IP networks, policy development through open mailing lists and meetings, and working groups that discuss issues like address policy, routing, and IPv6.