Committee on NGOs

2001 Session

8^th Meeting (PM)  

COMMITTEE ON NGOS APPROVES CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

FOR ONE ORGANIZATION, DEFERS TWO OTHER APPLICATIONS

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations this afternoon recommended granting consultative status with the Economic and Social Council for one organization, and deferred the applications of two others, as it continued its current session.

As the Committee took up consideration of organizations whose defining characteristics were not in strict conformity with the provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, also called the “grey area”, it decided to recommend roster status for the International Association of Conference Translators and deferred its decision on the German Advisory Council on Global Change and the Confederation of German Forest Owners Associations.

With regard to the German Advisory Council on Global Change, some delegations had doubts as to the independence of the non-governmental organization (NGO) vis-à-vis the German Government.  Algeria’s representative drew attention to the membership of the group, which was exclusively made up of persons appointed by the Government.  In addition, the NGO was entirely funded by the Government, as pointed out by the representative of Cuba. 

The German representative noted that while the NGO had a special way of selecting its members, it was still an independent body.  The representative of the United States noted that, for the Committee’s purposes, an organization could be funded up to 100 per cent by the Government, as long as that funding was disclosed, as it had been with the NGO.  In addition, while the members of the NGO were appointed by the Government, they could still function independently from the Government.

Concerns were also raised in connection with the Confederation of German Forest Owners Associations as to whether the NGO represented the personal interests of private owners or whether it could make a real contribution to the work of the Economic and Social Council in the field of forests. 

Also this afternoon, the Committee took up the matter of considering those organizations which had been on the roster for the purposes of the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development and had indicated their wish to expand their participation in other fields of the Council, pursuant to Economic and Social Council decision 1996/302.  [The decision states that those organizations wishing to expand their participation in other fields of the Council should so inform the Committee which would take appropriate action as expeditiously as possible.]

Previously, it was decided by the Committee that those organizations should go through the same channels of application for consultative status with the Council as any other organization.  Should the Committee decide not to grant their request for expanded status, they would continue to retain their roster status with the Commission on Sustainable Development.  A clarification provided by the Office of the Legal Counsel stated that the Committee was not required to accord those organizations any special treatment, rather just treat them as it would any other application.

Several members of the Committee were worried that expediting the applications of those organizations would constitute discrimination against other NGOs which enjoyed accreditation with other subsidiary bodies of the Council, as well as those submitting new applications for consultative status.  At the same time, other members did not see any difficulties with implementing the decision, since those organizations had to go through the same procedures as any other NGO. 

Ultimately, the Committee decided that those NGOs on the roster of the Commission should follow the rules and provisions outlined in Council resolution 1996/31 -– the same as those for any other NGO -- should they wish to expand their consultative status.

The 19-member Committee, a standing body of the Economic and Social Council established in 1946, considers applications submitted by NGOs for consultative status and their requests for reclassification; considers quadrennial reports submitted by those organizations; implements the provisions of Council resolutions 1996/31 and the monitoring of consultative relationships; and considers other issues as requested by the Council. 

Non-governmental, non-profit voluntary organizations can be admitted into consultative status with the Council if they meet the requirements detailed in Council resolution 1996/31, regarding matters, such as the organization’s activities, decision-making processes and resources.

The NGOs with consultative status are classified under the "general", "special" or "roster" categories.  Those with general status can propose items for the Council agenda, attend and speak at meetings and circulate statements.  Those with special status can attend meetings and circulate statements, while those on the roster can only attend meetings.  Organizations with general and special status must report every four years on their activities in support of the United Nations.

Statements were also made this afternoon by the representatives of India, China, Sudan, Cuba, Ethiopia, Pakistan, France and Russian Federation.  In addition, Committee Secretary Otto Gustafik made a statement.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 11 May, to consider special reports and complaints by governments.

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