1 June
2016 is the last day for Non-Governmental Organizations to apply for
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in order to
have an opportunity to take part in UN deliberations. ECOSOC consultative
status is governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility
requirements for consultative status, rights and obligations of NGOs in
consultative status, procedures for the withdrawal or suspension of
consultative status, the role and functions of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs,
and the responsibilities of the UN Secretariat in supporting the consultative
relationship.
Who is
eligible for applying?
Consultative relationships may be established with international, regional, sub
regional and national non-governmental, non-profit public or voluntary
organizations. NGOs affiliated to an international organization already in
status may be admitted provided that they can demonstrate that their programme
of work has direct relevance to the aims and purposes of the United
Nations.
To be eligible for consultative status, an NGO must have been in existence
(officially registered with the appropriate government authorities as an
NGO/non-profit) for at least two years, must have an established headquarters,
a democratically adopted constitution, authority to speak for its members, a
representative structure, appropriate mechanisms of accountability and
democratic and transparent decision-making processes. The basic resources of
the organization must be derived in the main part from contributions of the
national affiliates or other components or from individual members.
What are the benefits?
NGOs that are accredited with ECOSOC can participate in a number of
events, including, but not limited to regular sessions of ECOSOC, its
functional commissions and its other subsidiary bodies. NGOs may:
·
Attend official
meetings;
·
Submit written
statements prior to sessions;
·
Make oral statements;
·
Meet official government
delegations and other NGO representatives;
·
Organize and attend
parallel events that take place during the session;
·
Participate in debates,
interactive dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings.
Organizations
established by governments or intergovernmental agreements are not considered
NGOs.
For more information about ECOSOC
Consultative status click here.
To apply click here.