NGO Consultative Status with ECOSOC

The consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations was the subject of an extensive intergovernmental review. The most up-to-date definition of that relationship is reflected in ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31.

This relationship serves as the principal avenue for channelling inputs from NGOs into ECOSOC's deliberations at public meetings and to its subsidiary bodies as well as into UN international conferences and to their preparatory bodies. The approximately 2000 NGOs now holding consultative status receive every year the provisional agenda of ECOSOC. They enjoy certain privileges which allow them to place items on the agendas of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies; they may attend meetings where they may submit written statements and make oral presentations to governments.

The UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations is a standing committee of ECOSOC. Its mandate is set out in ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31. The main tasks of the committee are:

Ø        consideration of NGO applications for general consultative status and special consultative status, and of NGO requests for reclassification;

Ø        consideration of reports submitted by NGOs with general consultative status and special consultative status every fourth year;

Ø        implementation of the provisions of Council resolution 1996/31 and the monitoring of the consultative relationship; and

Ø        any other issues which ECOSOC may request the Committee to consider.

Consultative status differs from other forms of association NGOs may have with entities of the UN Secretariat such as the Department of Public Information, designed to disseminate information about the UN, and the Non-Governmental Liaison Service, designed to disseminate information to and liaise directly with NGOs. Individual UN departments and agencies may establish their own rules governing their relations with NGOs and NGO committees. Information to assist in applying for consultative status as well as a complete list of NGOs in consultative status are available at the DESA/NGO Section website.

The form to be used for the designation of NGO representatives to ECOSOC can be downloaded here.

Application information may also be obtained by writing to: NGO Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, DC-1, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA.