UNITED NATIONS CREATES NEW WEB SITE TO IMPROVE COOPERATION WITH BUSINESS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Press Release
PI/1113
UNITED NATIONS CREATES NEW WEB SITE TO IMPROVE COOPERATION WITH BUSINESS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
19990121 The United Nations is reaching out to non-governmental organizations and the private sector by launching a new Web site today. The site -- www.un.org/partners -- is designated to help widen engagement with civil society by offering easy access to the diverse organizations of the United Nations system.Recognizing that non-governmental organizations and civil society constitute a major and increasingly important force in international life, the Web site also serves as an entry point for these actors.
The most recent information regarding the arrangements and practices for the interaction of non-governmental organizations in all activities of the United Nations system is posted on the site. Users are able to link directly to non-governmental organization focal points in the United Nations and to a list of United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organizations. In the future, they will also be able to link directly with United Nations programmes and agencies.
United Nations contact points with an ever more robust civil society -- academia, sports and cultural associations, youth groups -- can also be reached at www.un.org/partners, including information on more than 80 national chapters of United Nations Associations worldwide.
The business part of the Web site is designed to function as a virtual enterprise liaison service. At a single entry point, executives can determine what each United Nations agency does, where it is located and what are the potential areas of cooperation. The World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and virtually all United Nations agencies are participating. The name of a contact person, with a phone number and e-mail address, is listed for each agency.
The site also presents dozens of case studies of United Nations-business cooperation, detailing the roles of specific corporations and United Nations agencies. Also posted are announcements of upcoming meetings of interest and information on how to become a participant.
While the number of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council exceeds 1,600,
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thousands more are affiliated to different departments and agencies of the United Nations. Non-governmental organizations are involved in the design and implementation of global action plans for the eradication of poverty, protection of the environment and on issues concerning population and women. They are also important partners in furthering United Nations goals in the fields of human rights and peace and security.
Businesses relate to the United Nations as participants in global and regional policy-making forums and projects, as users of statistics and technical studies, as vendors of equipment and expertise, and as beneficiaries of the international standards and agreements that make possible cross-border trade, investment, communication and transportation.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's programme for reform of the United Nations includes maintaining a mutually beneficial dialogue with the business community. The private sector is increasingly aware that the United Nations work on behalf of peace, human rights and development contributes to stability and an environment conducive for business. In turn, the United Nations recognizes that business has the capital, technology and expertise needed for economic growth and higher standards of living.
New initiatives for United Nations-business cooperation will be proposed by the Secretary-General, when he attends the World Business Forum in Davos, Switzerland, at the end of this month.
For further information, contact Tim Wall, Development and Human Rights Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information, telephone 212-963-5851, e-mail .
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