ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, AT RESUMED SUBSTANTIVE SESSION, DECIDES TO GRANT OBSERVER STATUS TO NGO

Economic and Social Council

Resumed 2001 Substantive Session

44^th Meeting (PM)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, AT RESUMED SUBSTANTIVE SESSION,

DECIDES TO GRANT OBSERVER STATUS TO NGO

Speakers Question Procedure Followed; Request Secretariat Report

The Economic and Social Council adopted an oral decision granting observer status to the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions this afternoon as it resumed its substantive session.

The representative of Egypt, backed by Iran, stated after the decision that he hoped it would not set a precedent for the Council in the procedure it followed for granting observer status to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  The Council should have precise admission rules for organizations of a mixed nature -- both intergovernmental and non-governmental -- such as the organization just granted observer status.

The two delegations asked the Secretariat to verify whether today's procedure had conformed to the existing rules regarding NGO participation, and requested it to submit a report on the subject.

The President said he looked forward to receiving the report.

The next meeting of the Economic and Social Council will be announced in the Journal.

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