COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS LEAVES PENDING DECISIONS ON SPECIAL REPORT, CONSULTATIVE STATUS, RECLASSIFICATION
Press Release
NGO/331
COMMITTEE ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS LEAVES PENDING DECISIONS ON SPECIAL REPORT, CONSULTATIVE STATUS, RECLASSIFICATION
20000125The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations this afternoon decided to keep three decisions pending until it received further information, and then adjourned early due to the inclement weather.
First, the Committee decided to leave its decision pending on the special report from the World Confederation of Labour until further information was received. The issue had been discussed extensively at its morning meeting. (See Press Release NGO/330).
Next, it decided to leave pending its decision on the application by Peaceways for consultative status with the Council, because the Chinese delegation had further questions.
The Committee also left pending its decision on the request from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches for reclassification from roster to special status. It will wait to receive confirmation that its requests for corrections had been made, including use of the phrases Taiwan, Province of China and special administrative zone of Hong Kong.
Several delegations stressed the importance of allotting time to consider the Committees working methods. The Chairman agreed that the matter was a priority and asked the Committee members to prepare concrete questions to be discussed tomorrow. Tunisias representative asked the Secretariat to prepare the document instead.
The Committee is a standing body of the Economic and Social Council. Its 19 members are charged with reviewing non-governmental organizations applications for consultative status and for reclassification. Aimed at forging mutually beneficial relations between the Council and civil society entities, consultative status is a means by which organizations can participate in the work of the Council. Groups with roster, special or general status each have different rights and responsibilities.
This afternoon, statements were made by the representatives of China, Cuba, Algeria, Pakistan, Ireland and Tunisia, as well as the observer from Iran. The Committee was also addressed by Hanifa Mezoui, Chief of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 26 January.
* *** *