Concluding Regular Session, Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends 269 Applicants for Status with Economic and Social Council

Wrapping up the first part up its 2017 session this morning, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations adopted a draft report outlining the results of its substantive work over recent weeks, including its decision to recommend 269 groups for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.

Presenting the newly finalized report (document E/C.2/2017/CRP.6/Rev.1), as orally amended, Rapporteur Farid Jabrayilov (Azerbaijan) said that the Committee had considered a total of 524 applications from organizations requesting consultative status.  Of those, it had deferred 221 applications until the candidates responded to requests for more information on their respective organizations’ activities, partners, expenditures, sources of funding and relationship with United Nations system actors, among other things.

The Committee had also decided not to recommend consultative status to one organization, he said, adding that it had taken note of six requests for change of name and deferred one request to take note of a merger.

Of the 450 quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations, the Committee had taken note of 352, he continued.  Thirty-one applications were closed without prejudice after the organizations in question had failed to respond to questions after three reminders.  Two other applications were also closed.

Delivering brief remarks, Committee Vice-Chair Ceren Hande Özgür (Turkey) said the 2017 regular session’s successful conclusion had been made possible by the constructive participation of all Committee members.  It had been both productive and results-oriented, she said, thanking Member States for their support and collaboration.

The 19-member Committee considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by non-governmental organizations.  Once an application has been reviewed and approved by the Committee it is considered recommended for consultative status.  Organizations granted general and special status can attend meetings of the Economic and Social Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items.  Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will reconvene from 22 to 31 May to hold its resumed 2017 session.