Committee on NGOs

2001 Session

15^th Meeting (AM)

NGO COMMITTEE, CONTINUING ITS CONSIDERATION OF QUADRENNIAL NGO REPORTS,

RECOMMENDS THAT 4 BODIES BE HEARD AT 2001 SUBSTANTIVE ECOSOC SESSION

This morning, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) recommended that the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) allow four NGOs having consultative status with ECOSOC to be heard during the Council's 2001 substantive session.  It also took note of two deferred reports of NGOs having general or consultative status.

The Committee recommended that the Council permit the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA), the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO), and Centro de Ricerca e Documentazione Febbraio 74 (CERFE) to make oral presentations during the Council's High-level Segment dedicated to the role of the United Nations system in supporting the efforts of African countries to achieve sustainable development.

It further recommended that the Council permit the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation to circulate a statement during the Council's consideration of the agenda item on crime prevention and criminal justice during its general session.

The Committee also took note of the deferred quadrennial reports of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization and the World Federation of Trade Unions.

By "taking note", the Committee does not endorse a report's contents, but merely notes an NGO’s compliance with reporting requirements.

The Committee, a standing body of the Economic and Social Council, 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 resolution 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.

Non-governmental organizations with consultative status are classified under the "general", "special" or "roster" categories.  Organizations with general and special status must report every four years on their activities in support of the United Nations, specifically regarding their support to the work of the

Organization.  The Committee had around 200 new and 30 deferred or pending quadrennial reports before it.

The Committee’s membership consists of 19 countries.  Its current members are Algeria, Bolivia, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and the United States. 

Speakers this morning were the representatives of India, Algeria, Germany, France, China, Bolivia, Cuba and the United States.  The Committee's Secretary, Otto Gustafik, also addressed the Committee.

The Committee on NGOs will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue consideration of quadrennial reports submitted by NGOs in general and special consultative status with ECOSOC.

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