Continuing Its 2023 Resumed Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends 4 Entities for Status, Defers Action on 80 Others

By alexandreManagement

Continuing Its 2023 Resumed Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends 4 Entities for Status, Defers Action on 80 Others

The Non-Governmental Organizations Committee has recently resumed its 2023 session and has recommended four entities for status, while deferring action on 80 others. The committee is responsible for assessing the credentials of NGOs seeking consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

In this article, we will discuss the recommendations made by the committee and the reasons for deferring action on certain entities.

Entities Recommended for Status

The committee has recommended four entities for consultative status with ECOSOC. These entities are:

• The Youth Advocates Ghana
• East Africa Law Society
• Colectivo Ronda
• Community Watch of Nigeria

These entities demonstrated their commitment to advancing sustainable development goals and human rights through their work. They have also provided detailed information on their funding sources, governance structures, and programmatic activities.

With ECOSOC consultative status, these NGOs will be able to participate in UN events, submit written statements, and make oral presentations to UN bodies. They will also have access to ECOSOC and other UN bodies for consultation and collaboration.

Reasons for Deferring Action

The committee has deferred action on 80 entities, citing various reasons for the deferral. Some of the common reasons include:

• Incomplete application forms or supporting documents
• Lack of clarity regarding the purpose, goals, and activities of the entity
• Concerns about the entity’s source of funding
• Doubts about the entity’s independence from government or other organizations

The committee has encouraged these entities to provide additional information or clarify their positions on certain issues to enable the committee to make a decision on their applications. It is important to note that deferral does not mean rejection; deferred entities will have an opportunity to revise and resubmit their applications.

Importance of Consultative Status

ECOSOC consultative status is a highly sought-after accreditation for NGOs as it provides them with the opportunity to engage with the UN system and participate in various UN forums. Through consultative status, NGOs can influence policy decisions, monitor the implementation of UN initiatives, and contribute to the development of global standards and norms.

NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status also have access to a range of benefits such as attendance at UN conferences and events, access to UN information services, and the ability to request and receive consultations with UN officials and member states.

The recommendations and deferrals made by the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee during its 2023 resumed session reflect its commitment to ensuring that NGOs seeking ECOSOC consultative status meet the required standards. While four entities have been recommended for status, 80 others still have an opportunity to provide additional information to support their applications. ECOSOC consultative status is an important accreditation for NGOs seeking to contribute to the UN’s efforts towards sustainable development and human rights, and the committee’s decisions reflect the significance of this status.