Opening its 2024 Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends 72 Entities for Consultative Status, Defers Action on 58 Others
NGO Branch Head Warns Office ‘Stretched to Limit’ by Added Workload, Hiring Freeze
Opening its 2024 session today, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations recommended 72 entities for special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and deferred action on 58 others.
The 19-member Committee is mandated to consider applications submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and recommend them for general, special or roster status based on such criteria as the applicant’s mandate, governance and financial regime. Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend Council meetings and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items. Those with roster status can only attend meetings.
Speaking as the meeting began, Zebib Gebrekidan (Eritrea) — who was elected Chair by acclamation at the meeting’s outset — said the Committee had received a total of 214 new applications for consultative status and 294 applications deferred from previous sessions, bringing the total number of applications for consideration to 508. In addition, members had before them 755 new quadrennial reports and 115 reports deferred from previous sessions. She highlighted the important mandate of the Committee and its spirit of consensus, also drawing attention to numerous organizational matters.
Neil Pierre, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, addressed the Committee, stressing that the role of civil society as United Nations partners has never been more important. The Committee’s work is “a crucial gateway and entry point for NGOs,” he stated, while pointing out that the NGO Branch is in a dire situation financially.
The Committee then heard from Wook-Jin Chang, Chief of the NGO Branch, who called on Committee members to address this resource crunch. The Branch has been “stretched to the limit” by the increasing workload and the hiring freeze that prevents it from filling two vacant positions. In particular, it has been unable to roll out a highly anticipated new information and communications technology-based platform to replace the current electronic platforms.
In the ensuing general discussion, delegates asked questions and received clarifications regarding this new platform and the process of putting it in place. They also considered the working methods of the Committee, with some calling for urgent reform while others insisted that the current procedures allow for a comprehensive review of applications.
The representative of Costa Rica said his delegation, with that of the United Kingdom, will introduce a draft decision to improve working methods of the Committee. The lack of any significant improvement to them is damaging the Committee’s mandate, he said, noting the need to introduce deadlines and incorporate a virtual modality in the interactive segment. The representative of the United States voiced regret over the continued misuse of the “no objection” basis by some Committee members.
However, China’s delegate stated that any attempt to overrule the collective decisions of the Committee undermines its authority and rejected the push for reform on the basis of some delegations’ preferences. Echoing that, the representative of Cuba said the text proposed by Costa Rica and the United Kingdom was not discussed during informal meetings and will complicate the already-difficult discussion on working methods. On hybrid participation, he expressed concern that this will enable visa restrictions to be placed against organizations from the Global South.
Committee members also took the opportunity to pose questions to the Secretariat and Chief of the NGO Branch, discussing a number of administrative matters concerning informal working groups, participation of organizations, Committee budget, working methods and possible precedents for tabling resolutions regarding subsidiary bodies in the Economic and Social Council. Also speaking today were the representatives of the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Mexico, India and Algeria.
Also today, the Committee approved its agenda (document E/C.2/2024/1/Rev.1), its work programme and its tentative schedule, as contained in an annex of Working Paper 1.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 23 January, to continue its session.
Statements
Neil Pierre, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that at the midpoint of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, the role of civil society as United Nations partners has never been more important. The Committee is entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating the participation of NGOs in the work of the UN, through the consideration of applications and recommendations of granting consultative status. “It serves as a crucial gateway and entry point for NGOs,” he stated, noting that in 2023 alone, the NGO branch received 845 new applications for consultative status and 861 quadrennial reports — a record number. However, he stressed, the level of resources of the NGO branch is in a dire situation and “raising concern is no longer enough”.
Wook-Jin Chang, Chief of the NGO Branch, drew attention to the heavy workload in his section as well as the negative impact of the current financial situation of the United Nations. The Branch is “stretched to the limit”, he said, adding that human resources are key to reviewing the applications and quadrennial reports, facilitating access for non-governmental organizations, managing their interaction with the Committee and maintaining productive relations. This workload has significantly skyrocketed, he said, pointing out that between 2009 and 2023, the number of new applications has increased by five times from 143 to 845. In that period of less than 15 years, the number of staff members of the NGO Branch remains unchanged, and it could not even fill two vacancies. Further, the rollout of the new information and communications technology (ICT)-based system to replace the current electronic platforms will be delayed due to a lack of resources. Committee members must mobilize resources to address this situation, he stressed.
The representative of Costa Rica noted that in 2023, the Committee received more than 800 new applications, confirming a growing trend in the last decade, in addition to almost 300 deferred applications — some for 5 years or more. This occurred without any significant improvement in working methods, damaging the Committee mandate. His delegation, together with the Vice-Chairmanship of Zimbabwe, facilitated informal consultations with membership and the Secretariat in 2023 to advance efforts in three aspects, including introducing deadlines and incorporating a virtual modality in the interactive segment. He voiced regret that it has not been possible to agree on changes and joined the United Kingdom in introducing a draft decision to improve working methods of the Committee.
The representative of Türkiye said non-governmental organizations and their expertise contribute significantly to the effectiveness of United Nations efforts. However, it is important not to undermine the competence of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations as the primary specialized United Nations body to consider consultative status applications, he said. The Committee should be able to maintain its regular working method of reviewing each application on a case-by-case basis through its usual review process. Tabling resolutions in order to selectively grant certain organizations consultative status is counterproductive and runs against the mandate given to the Committee by the Economic and Social Council itself, he said. Further, singling out specific applications on the basis of artificially crafted criteria does injustice to the hundreds of other applicants, he pointed out.
The representative of the United States noted that her delegation will continue to support the work of non-governmental organizations in the United Nations without regard to their political beliefs, including those with whom it disagrees and those that criticize her country. Voicing regret over the continued misuse of the “no objection” basis by some Committee members — which has continued to lead to the politicization of the Committee — she stated that “we refuse to stand by and do nothing as legitimate NGOs are punished for seeking to hold Governments accountable, including my own.” She recalled that, in 2022 and 2023, the United States joined partners in advancing the applications of several NGOs whose consideration had been repeatedly deferred by the Committee. Unfortunately, the percentage of applications deferred each year is increasing, especially those working on issues such as human rights, marginalized communities and drug policy.
The representative of Eritrea said that contributions from non-governmental organizations become especially useful when these groups possess the skills and capacity for the strategic advancement of national priorities. The Committee is instrumental in accrediting organizations, he said, adding that this necessitates careful consideration of applications. Its consensual approach is key to ensuring that it is able to carry out its mandate successfully, he stressed.
The representative of China stated that Committee members must respect relevant Economic and Social Council resolutions on procedures for NGOs to apply for consultative status, as well as established working procedures. Any attempt on the slightest pretext to overrule the collective decisions of the Committee undermines its authority, which China firmly opposes. He stressed that in recent years, some Committee members have given unconditional approval to some organizations, while repeatedly posing unreasonable questions to others, with some members attacking and discrediting other members — a blatant practice of double standards and politicization. He called on the Committee to carefully and objectively weigh each application and firmly rejected the push for reform on the basis of one’s own preferences.
The representative of Cuba expressed regret about the delays concerning the new online system, adding that it would solve many of the problems that the NGO Branch identified. Calling on the Committee to mobilize resources towards this, he disagreed with the idea that the Committee’s working methods need reform. The current system ensures predictability and allows a comprehensive review. Regarding the initiative being introduced by a group of States at the Economic and Social Council, he expressed regret that it was not discussed during informal meetings and described it as an attempt to complicate the already-difficult discussion on working methods. Turning to the proposal for hybrid participation, he expressed concern that this will enable visa restrictions to be placed against organizations from the Global South.
The representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said that partnership with civil society is part of the bloc’s DNA — despite not always agreeing with what “NGOs have to say about us”. She expressed deep concern over the continued practice of repeated and unjustified deferrals of the applications of some NGOs, sometimes for years, on the basis of dubious arguments and repetitive questions. Recalling that the Economic and Social Council remains the final decision-making authority for granting consultative status, she stressed that there is no justification for the further deferral of several European Union-based NGOs, calling on the Committee to grant them accreditation without further delay.
The representative of Costa Rica said the proposal initiated by his delegation will be made available to all members of the Committee. The text takes into account previous discussions in the Committee, he said, also adding that as the “parent body”, the Economic and Social Council does have power over the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations to establish or improve its working methods. Stressing the need to provide resources to the Bureau, he said this is one of the elements in the draft resolution being tabled by his delegation and the United Kingdom. Informal consultations will begin today, he added.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to 72 organizations:
AbibiNsroma Foundation (Ghana);
Africa Peace Foundation (APF) (Kenya);
Amani Hope and Education for All (Uganda);
Asociacion Para El Analisis De Politicas Publicas Asociacion Civil (Argentina);
Association Camerounaise pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme des Libertés et du Bien Être (Cameroon);
Association of African Entrepreneurs (Ghana)
Bedayati (Lebanon);
Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (Nigeria);
Cecilian International Foundation (Nigeria);
Centro de Pensamiento Estratégico Internacional (Colombia);
Climate Aid Initiative (Nigeria);
Cohesive Communities Development Initiative (Nigeria);
Corporación Fernando González – Otraparte (Colombia);
Development Research and Project Centre Kano Ltd/Gte (Nigeria);
Estijabah Foundation for Humanitarian Aid and Relief (Yemen);
Fondation Akrale (Côte d’Ivoire);
Forum for Women in Development, Democracy and Justice (Kenya);
Fundación Gran Chaco (Argentina);
Fundación Veritad Green (Paraguay);
Future Resilience and Development Foundation (Nigeria);
Green Cameroon (Cameroon);
Habitable Earth International Organisation (Nigeria);
Headfort Foundation (Nigeria);
Himaya Daeem Aataa (Lebanon);
Hope for Future Generations (Ghana);
ImpactHER Foundation LTD/GTE (Nigeria);
Initiative Africaine pour le Développement- International (IAD-I) (Côte d’Ivoire);
Initiatives Développement Centrafrique (Central African Republic);
Instituto Para El Desarrollo Sostenible De La Mujer Lenca De Honduras Idesmulh (Honduras);
Instituto Verdeluz (Brazil);
International Center For Living Aquatic Resource Management (Malaysia);
Jeevan Rekha Parishad (India);
Kaani Assistance (Congo);
M-Kids Association (Mauritius);
Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation (Uganda);
NIPE FAGIO (United Republic of Tanzania);
Organisation Algérienne pour l'Emploi des Diplômes (Algeria);
Promotion of Sustainable Development in Donga-Mantung Association (Cameroon);
Rights Organization for Advocacy and Development (Kenya);
Rights for Disability Development Foundation (RDDF) (Uganda);
Save the People in Need (SPN) (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
The Mudavadi Memorial Foundation Trust Fund Registered Trustees (Kenya);
The Virtuous Touch Int’l Initiative (Nigeria);
Union of Community Development Volunteers (Uganda);
Vaccine Network for Disease Control (Nigeria);
Veille Citoyenne Togo (Togo);
Village Health Action (Burundi);
Wasel for Awareness and Education Co. (Jordan);
Women Rehabilitation Organization (Iraq);
Women for Positive Actions (WOPA) (Liberia);
World Changers Development Initiative (Nigeria);
World Security Federation (Brazil);
Primelocation care givers foundation (Nigeria);
AO ADVOCATING OPPORTUNITY INC (United States);
ASOCIACIÓN AWAQ ONGD (Spain);
Amazon Watch (United States);
Aroha (Switzerland);
Asociación Derechos en Acción, Organización Pro Derechos Humanos, Desarrollo Democrático y Humanidad Sostenible (Spain);
Associació Plataforma per la Llengua – Col·lectiu l’Esbarzer (Spain);
Association for Community Empowerment Solutions (United States);
Blockchain Alliance International, Inc. (United States);
Blue Ventures (United Kingdom);
CENTRO CULTURALE SAN MARTINO - REGIONE PUGLIA APS (Italy);
Canadian Arab Women Association (Canada);
Centre for Newcomers Society of Calgary (Canada);
Climate Analytics (Germany);
Contra o femicídio - Associação de familiares e amigas/os de vítimas de de femicídio – ACF (Portugal);
Destination Justice (France);
Disability-Inclusive Development Programs and Services – DIDEPAS (United States);
European Parents’ Association (Belgium);
Exit UK Solutions CIC (United Kingdom);
Fondazione Mater (Switzerland);
The Committee postponed consideration of the following 58 organizations:
Aatmnirbhar NGO (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked about details regarding its projects pertaining to gender equality;
Africa Foundation For Community Development (Afcod-Uganda) (Uganda) — as the representative of the United States asked for details regarding its funding;
Alliance for a Green Revolution In Africa (Kenya) — as the representative of China asked the organization to correct its use of references to Taiwan;
Asociación Ciudadana por los Derechos Humanos (Argentina) — as the representative of Türkiyeposed a question about the discrepancy between income and expenditure in its financial statement;
Associação Nova Escola (Brazil) — as the representative of China asked for information about funding received from the United Kingdom and how the organization maintains its independence;
Associação Transparência e Integridade (Brazil) — as the representative of Cuba asked for clarification regarding its international status and sphere of work;
Beijing YUNTU international culture exchange LLC (China) — as the representative of the United States sought more information about its planned activities for 2024;
CarbonCare InnoLab Limited (China) — as the representative of Cuba asked for more information about its high expenditures;
Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (Cameroon) — as the representative of Zimbabwe asked for a list of international organizations it has liaised with in its human rights work;
Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) (Uganda) — as the representative of China asked about a reference to Taiwan on its website;
De-Tomes Ghana LBG (Ghana) — as the representative of United States asked the group for its planned activities for 2024;
Dr. Ambedkar Society for Socio Economic Welfare and Development (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more information about its projects aimed at uplifting women;
Folkland International Centre for Folklore and Culture (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for details on national or international events organized and the artists who performed;
Global Development Alliance for Africa and Asia (Tunisia) — as the representative of the United States requested details on its planned activities and funding sources for 2024;
Guangzhou Inno Public Welfare Service Promotion Society (China) — as the representative of the United States asked about its planned activities for 2024 and how they contribute to Economic and Social Council priorities;
Human Rights Prakahar Shodh Mohim Society (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for details on free secondary and higher education courses it offers and their curricula;
India SME Forum (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested information on a programme to help women in Jammu and Kashmir to digitally transform;
Initiative pour un co-développement durable avec le Niger (ICON) (Niger) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on why the organization’s expenditures are exactly the same as its revenues, and if any items are not included in its financial statement, or if the surplus of the current financial year has offset the previous year’s deficit;
Institute of Rural Management (Pakistan) — as the representative of China asked the organization to use UN terminology in referring to Taiwan as a province of China, rather than a country;
International Democratic Platform Non-Governmental Organization (Ukraine) — as the representative of the United States asked for an explanation of steps it has taken to remain independent from the Russian Federation Government;
International Human Rights Observatory (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details on its participation in conferences and events held by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and World Health Organization (WHO);
International Human Rights and Anti-Crime Organization Trust (India) — as the representative of Pakistan posed a question about the organization’s project titled Women Empowerment;
International Organization for Development and Human Rights (Egypt) — as the representative of the United States asked for explanation of steps it has taken to remain independent from the Egyptian Government;
Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind (India) — as the representative of Israel requested information on how it will contribute to the Commission on Social Development and the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations;
Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (State of Palestine) — as the representative of Israel asked for clarification on how it will carry out projects if no expenditures go towards them;
KurNiv Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details about shelter homes for widows established over the past two years;
Love March Movement (Jamaica) — as the representative of the United States asked for clarification of its work on human rights;
Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (Pakistan) — as the representative of India requested information on its actual physical address;
Nejat Society, victims of violence (Iran) — as the representative of the United States asked for a written list of planned activities for 2024 and how they will contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
New Life Fellowship At. Jhankarpada, PO/Ps Hirakud, Dist. Sambalpur (India) — as the representative of the United States asked for information on its planned activities and funding sources for 2024;
RASED for Capacity Building and Development (Jordan) — as the representative of Israel asked for a list of Governments from which it receives funding;
Save Water and Safe Water Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details on five different events held for Save Water Day 2023;
SheDad Foundation (South Africa) — as the representative of China asked about its partnerships and successful outcomes;
The Enlight Lab (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for its list of current and prospective projects, as the online link is not operational;
Udruženje Centar za edukaciju I istraživanje “Nahla” (Bosnia and Herzegovina) — as the representative of Israel asked for elaboration on the nature of the group’s contracts;
Universal Peace Organization, Inc. (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on summits it has attended;
Al-Aqsa Association for the Development of the Islamic Waqf/Endowment (Israel) — as the representative of Israel asked for elaboration on how it will engage with youth in its activities;
Al-Rafah- Welfare Association in Kafr Bara (R/A) (Israel) — as the representative of Israel requested a list of NGOS funding it;
Alumot Or Ltd (CC) (Israel) — as the representative of Algeria asked the group to provide a list of public and private partners;
AnitaB.org (United States) – as the representative of China asked it to provide information on its participation in UN conferences or activities from 2021 to 2023;
Armenian Bar Association (United States) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for an explanation of its auxiliary membership category;
Asian Cultural Center, Non-Profit Organization (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of China asked for an updated official website;
Asociația eLiberare (Romania) — as the representative of China asked for information on an income item;
Associació Amnistia I Llibertat (Spain) – as the representative of the United States asked how the organization ensures its independence from Government officials;
AsyLex (Switzerland) — as the representative of China requested further information on administrative expenses, as they exceed the 30 per cent alert line;
Atomic Reporters (Austria) — as the representative of China called for more information on its participation in the first meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons;
Board of Deputies Charitable Foundation (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Türkiye requested details on the application process for other NGOs to be affiliated with it;
CAGE Advocacy UK Ltd (United Kingdom) — as the representative of the United States asked for information on its work regarding the impact of the war on terror, including its target audience, and support to clients;
CBM Global Disability Inclusion Vereniging (Netherlands) — as the representative of Cuba requested details on its sources of funding;
Caravan Industry Association of Australia Limited (Australia) — as the representative of China asked for further information on the RV Future Fuels Alliance;
Christen in Not, CSI-Österreich (Christian Solidarity International) (Austria) — as the representative of Türkiye requested details on its executive college and how its members are elected;
Cultural Diversity and Sustainable Development for Peace (Switzerland) — as the representative of China asked for information on its administrative expenses and how it maintains financial sustainability;
EU-Russia Civil Society Forum e.V. (Germany) — as the representative of China requested clarification on how and where it was registered from 2011 to 2017;
EUROPEAN PRISON LITIGATION NETWORK (France) — as the representative of Cuba asked for information on how it manages to operate when its expenses exceed its income;
Educators Without Borders International (Switzerland) — as the representative of Türkiye requested information on its activities on the African continent, if it has local offices or cooperates with local partners;
Ezer Mizion (Israel) — as the representative of Pakistan asked the organization for information on its activities and partnerships since 2020, as well as planned activities in 2024 and 2025;
F.A.I.R. Trade Group (United States) — as the representative of the United States requested details on its 2024 activities and how participating with the Economic and Social Council would further them; and
Focus Asia Foundation (F.A.F.) (France) — as the representative of the United States requested details on its 2024 activities and budget including fundraising.