Pokémon Association

The Pokémon Association (Japanese: ポケモン Pokémon Association) is a governing body that handles legislation regarding Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga. The Association is the group that selects and pays the salaries of Gym Leaders, and organizes Pokémon League competitions across the nation.

They are also apparently responsible for drawing up and often enforcing laws regarding Pokémon, and general competition between Pokémon Trainers. They are the creators of the different types of battling, such as the Triple Battle. Some of the laws created by the Association include the famous rule which states a Trainer can only carry six Pokémon with them at a time. In addition, they provide s for all Gym Leaders to use.

Chairmen
The Pokémon Association in each region is led by a Chairman, all of whom are short, middle-aged men who share visually similar features, such as their glasses and mustaches. They are identified by their differing hairstyles.

Kanto and Johto
The Chairman of Kanto and Johto's Pokémon Association leads the organization from their headquarters in Goldenrod City. He is distinguished by a tuft of curly hair on his balding head, and appears to have a somewhat timid personality.

This Chairman first debuted in Sunkern Treasure, rebutting Bill's claims about the involvement of several Gym Leaders with Team Rocket. He later appeared during 's aptitude test to become a Gym Leader, and subsequently recommended to assume the role after Red declined.

Much later, the Chairman assisted a plan to unveil the Masked Man's true identity, under the guise of an exhibition tournament between the Gym Leaders.

Hoenn
The Chairman of Hoenn's Pokémon Association leads his sector from the headquarters stationed in Lilycove City. He is recognized by a massive afro, and has a serious personality.

The Chairman first appeared in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon II, declaring a national state of emergency due to the revival of and. He deployed the Hoenn Gym Leaders to hold the two titans back, while overseeing evacuation of civilians to New Mauville. Just before Lilycove City fell to the effects of the extreme weather phenomena, he activated the headquarters' aerial mode, transforming the building into an airship from which he continued to coordinate efforts.

Nearing the end of the crisis, the Chairman received news that both Kyogre and Groudon had departed, having finished their fight, but was stunned to hear that Steven Stone had died from the strain of controlling the Legendary titans. He later appeared in an altered time where Steven had not died, and thanked and  for their role in resolving the crisis.

Sinnoh
The Chairman of the Sinnoh Pokémon Association is identified by his swirly hairstyle that somewhat resembles soft-serve ice cream, and has a confident personality. It is not known where his headquarters are located.

While the Chairman isn't seen until the, he voices the statues that are always seen at Gyms and ensures that all challengers follow the Association's rules, admonishing and  when they break them and even kicking them out on several occasions. He is only openly identified as the Chairman by Fantina.

The Chairman makes his proper appearance in Tackling Togekiss, properly introducing himself to Diamond and Pearl and thanking them for stopping Cyrus's plans. He explains that after the Sinnoh Elite Four decoded the notebook Diamond had retrieved from Charon, they learned that Team Galactic had been targeting Sinnoh's Legendary Pokémon. As a result, the Chairman seeks to form a task force with Diamond and Pearl so they can protect the remaining Legendary Pokémon.

After going separate ways, the Chairman later witnesses Diamond vanish into the Distortion World after being hit by 's. Following Giratina and Charon's failed attempt to escape into the real world, Giratina returns to its domain; the Chairman observes that Giratina's resentment at and  might have lessened as a result of their earlier clash in the Distortion World.

In other languages
Pokémon Association Chairman

Pokémon-Verband Associazione Pokémon 宝可梦协会