The Steering Committee of the Istanbul Summit has worked to prepare for the creation of the DICG at a series of meetings following the 2008 Istanbul Summit. On September 30, 2009, the Steering Committee of the Declaration of Istanbul met in Beirut, Lebanon, in conjunction with the Congress of the Asian Society of Transplantation, to formulate a strategy and plans for the continued implemention of the Declaration.

A series of goals were developed to achieve the mission of the DICG and to coordinate activities related to the Declaration of Istanbul. These goals include measures to enhance compliance with the Principles of the Declaration by professional societies, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations funding transplantation research, and journals publishing reports of clinical and research activities in transplantation. These goals also emphasize the need for national governments, regulatory authorities and healthcare institutions to develop policies that put an end to commerce in human organs.

The DICG was formally established in 2010

All participants in the Istanbul Summit meeting are invited to play a continuing role in the work of the DICG.

DICG membership is open to all those who have actively participated in previous DICG meetings and activities, who are committed to the principles outlined in the Declaration itself, and who wish to assist in the ongoing mission of the DICG, namely, "to promote, implement and uphold the Declaration of Istanbul so as to combat organ trafficking, transplant tourism and transplant commercialism and to encourage adoption of effective and ethical transplantation practices around the world."

New members join the DICG through a process which requires them to commit to the Declaration's principles in their own practice, and to support the mission of the DICG. Prospective members must be nominated by an existing member, provide a brief CV and a statement detailing their experience, expertise and interests of relevance to the DICG mission. Nominations should be sent to the DICG Executive for review.