Continuing Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Recommends 6 Groups for Special Consultative Status, Defers Action on 88 Others
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations continued its 2024 session today, recommending 6 entities for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and deferring action on 88 others.
The 19-member Committee vets applications submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), recommending 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.
Action on several applications was deferred because Committee members requested further information from the candidates about issues including details of their organizations’ activities, budget, expenditures, sources of funding and independence from those sources, or questioned discrepancies in the organizations’ applications and websites
In the afternoon, the Committee held its customary interactive dialogue period with six previously deferred NGOs, granting special consultative status to one.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 26 January, to continue its session.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following 6 entities:
International Young Catholic Students (France);
Mamanet Mothers’ Cachibol League in Kfar Saba – for the Community (Israel);
Sov Sovereign Order of the Knights of the Lord Lamont Couto of Sct Ltd (United Kingdom);
TMG Research gGmbH (Germany); and
Trippinz Care Inc. (United States);
The Committee postponed consideration of the following 88 organizations:
Ilankai Thamil Sangam, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Pakistan, noting that the organization claims to post articles representing varying views of the diaspora, asked for examples of articles that appreciate the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka towards reconciliation;
International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law (United States) — as the representative of China asked for an updated financial chart;
International Child Rights Center (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Cuba asked for a list of UN projects with which it is involved;
International Civil Society Action Network, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for information on its affiliation and relationship with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT) (Switzerland) — as the representative of the United States asked for a list of projects and activities intended to contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
International WeLoveU Foundation (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Cuba asked whether there is a nationality requirement to join its management structure;
Kandilarla Dayanişma Vakfi (Türkiye) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for information on its planned projects for 2024;
Khalsa Aid International (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on the resources that allow it to be a first responder in certain situations;
Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (United States) — as the representative of China asked whether it plans to change its financial structure to allow it to operate more sustainably;
Knowmad Institut gemeinnützige UG (haftungsbeschränkt) (Germany) — as the representative of China asked it to correct a certain reference to “Hong Kong”;
L.E.S Musulmans (L.M) (France) — as the representative of Algeria asked for a full list of countries in which it works either directly or indirectly;
Labdaros ir paramos fondas "Nevyriausybinių organizacijų informacijos ir paramos centras" (Lithuania) — as the representative of China asked for information on whether it has any communications “with the Government implementing its aim”;
Merciful Souls (Al-Qolub Al-Rahima) (Israel) — as the representative of China asked for information on the feedback process it uses to assess the impact of its performance in the humanitarian field;
Mnemonic non-profit entrepreneurial company (Germany) — as the representative of Eritrea asked what measures it takes to ensure the independence and impartiality of its activities adding, following a request for clarification from the Chair, that his question pertains to information about the organization’s independence and impartiality “generally”;
Muslim Hands (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Israel asked for information on how it maintains financial stability;
NAUH (Now Action & Unity for Human rights) (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of China asked for information on the work of the members of its board of directors;
NTC-Hands off Cain (Italy) — as the representative of China asked for information on its planned activities for 2024;
Nationaal Papoea Vereniging '95/West Nieuw Guinea (Netherlands) — as the representative of India asked for information on its planned activities for 2024 and 2025;
National Committee on BRICS Research (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked for information regarding its administrative costs;
Nobel Women’s Initiative (Canada) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for information on measures it has adopted to maintain and improve the organization and efficacy of the aid it provides;
Partnership for Transparency Fund Inc (United States) — as the representative of Türkiye asked what kind of benefits it garners from its participation in a certain partnership network;
Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute (United States) — as the representative of Bahrain asked whether it receives donations from individuals or organizations and, if so, for further information thereon;
SAM pour les droits et les libertés (Switzerland) — as the representative of Algeria asked whether it has branches in other countries and, if so, to provide a list thereof;
SKT Welfare (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked for more information on its data-collection methods;
Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society (Kuwait) — as the representative of China asked for information regarding its participation in UN conferences or activities since 2018;
Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for information on the structure of its regional branches and a breakdown of expenses from implemented projects;
Stichting Mideast Youth (Netherlands) — as the representative of Algeria invited the NGO to provide indications of its activities and a breakdown of expenses for each;
Stichting Volunteer Activists (Netherlands) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for details on its training activities, including staffing, financing and results, and how they relate to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
Stichting White Helmets Foundation (Netherlands) — as the representative of Cuba requested further information on its collaborative activities with certain institutions;
Syria Relief (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Cuba, noting the organization’s income has fallen by 75 per cent, asked how it has maintained a high level of activities, and how that decrease has affected it;
Syrian Legal Development Programme (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Cuba asked for a detailed list of UN agencies and international NGOs with which it works;
Tai Studies Center (United States) — as the representative of India requested information on how long its board vacancies have remained unfilled and the impact on its functioning;
The Global Energy Association on Development of International Research and Projects in the Field of Energy (Russian Federation) — as the representative of the United States asked for details on its income from entrepreneurial activities, any partners therein, and amounts received in 2022 and 2023;
The Global Imams Council (Australia) — as the representative of Nicaragua requested a list of projects implemented over the last three years, and how they relate to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
The Humanitarian Forum (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Israel called for a list of countries in which it operates and the activities in each;
Tom Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice (United States) — as the representative of China asked for the basis on which the NGO sets its campaigns and initiative on key human rights challenges and emerging threats;
Transitional Justice Working Group (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of China requested further details on its activities from 2021 to 2023 and its planned contributions to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
Uluslararası Mülteci Hakları Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of China asked for further details on its relationship with the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief;
Uyghur Human Rights Project (United States) — as the representative of China asked the NGO to supply details on its information collection model and the background of its research team;
Òmnium Cultural (Spain) — as the representative of China called for details on donations received from the Government since 2008;
Österreichischer Rat Für Nachhaltige Entwicklung - Österreichischer Nachhaltigkeitsrat für soziale, ökologische und ökonomische Angelegenheiten (Austria) — as the representative of Israel asked about the central actors with which it exchanges, and such activities in 2023;
“Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO (Armenia) — as the representative of Türkiye asked how it maintains its activities without any administrative expenses;
“Mission Armenia” Charitable Non-governmental Organization (Armenia) — as the representative of Türkiye requested a breakdown of its main funding sources in 2022 and 2023, if it has mechanisms to ensure independence from its funding partners, and information on transparency of expenditures;
“Odlar Yurdu” Gənclər İctimai Birliyi (Azerbaijan) — as the representative of Armenia asked for examples of international partnerships and the nature of the cooperation thereof;
Association for Social Solidarity and Empowerment Training Trust (ASSET) (India) — as the representative of India called for details on a hospital it runs, including funding sourced and facilities offered;
Associação Nacional de Juristas Evangélicos – ANAJURE (Brazil) — as the representative of Cuba asked whether the NGO conducts activities in the Caribbean, their purpose, how they are financed and what local actors are involved;
Baghbaan (Pakistan) — as the representative of India requested details on the reduction of its non-grant assets for 2022;
Child Nurture and Relief Kashmir — as the representative of India requested clarification on how it ensures a democratic, representative structure and function when there is only one director on its board;
Comité de América Latina y el Caribe para la Defensa de los Derechos de las Mujeres (Peru) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for clarification on how it functions without allocating administrative costs while traveling to 15 countries across Latin America;
Environmental and Societal Development Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of India requested information on its activities with regard to the Millennium Development Goals;
Fondacioni “Yesilay” (Albania) — as the representative of Armenia asked for details on its participation in sessions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, including in terms of accreditation;
Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation for Democracy Peace and Development (Nepal) — as the representative of India requested details on its development projects from 2018 to 2023;
Global Village Forum Chakwal c/o Shaheen Degree College Chappar Bazar Chakwal (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked whether it has a permanent, physical address;
Human Rights Initiative (India) — as the representative of India asked whether the vocational training mentioned in its 2020 financial statement was given on a for-pay basis despite the organization’s non-profit character;
Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPD) (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for more information relating to its hosting of a congress for emerging young women leaders;
Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification regarding the basis on which a certain corporation was admitted as an organizational member;
Lahore Educational and Welfare Society (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for details regarding its projects relating to the protection of children’s rights;
Life Bliss Foundation (Singapore) — as the representative of India asked it to explain its relationship with Swami Nithyananda;
Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Yemen) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for the names and nationalities of the members of its board of trustees and, following the Chair’s request for clarification, asked for this information regarding the organization’s executives;
Mədəni İnkişafın Təbliği İctimai birliyi (Azerbaijan) — as the representative of Armenia asked for information on projects implemented in 2023 and on any ongoing projects;
Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam TCD Trust (India) — as the representative of the United States asked for which groups it advocates;
Nithyananda Foundation (India) — as the representative of the United States asked for clarification regarding its relationship with other similarly named organizations;
Nithyanandeshwar Devasthanam Trust (India) — as the representative of the United States asked how its work differs from that of other similarly named organizations;
OxYGen Foundation for Protection of Women and Youth Rights (Armenia) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for information on its relationship with its mother organization;
PAY-W Clinic (India) — as the representative of India asked for details of expenses incurred for providing web-based services and awareness programmes, as well as how these activities occur with an administrative budget of $1;
Pak Special Persons Welfare Society (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for details of expenditures and sources of funding relating to activities conducted over the period of 2020-22;
Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) (Lebanon) — as the representative of Israel asked whether the organization works with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Lebanon exclusively, or in other places as well;
Solidariteit / Solidarity (South Africa) — as the representative of Zimbabwe asked for a list of recent public-interest-litigation cases brought by the organization;
The Voice Society (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification regarding how elections to fill vacant board positions occur;
Welfare Association Jared (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification regarding its physical address;
Yadam Institute of Research (India) — as the representative of China asked for details regarding its work over the past two years;
ALQST Human Rights (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Bahrain asked for information relating to activities and projects it has planned for 2024;
ARCS Arci Culture Solidali APS (Italy) — as the representative of Türkiye asked it to explain its financial relationship with its mother organization;
Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for information regarding its memorandum of understanding with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
American Medical Women’s Association, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China asked about the obligations, rights and privileges of the NGO’s different membership categories;
Asociatia Romanian Women’s Lobby (Romania) — as the representative of Türkiye invited the organization to provide examples of projects or activities from the last two years enacted in cooperation with its sister organization, which already has consultative status;
BCI - Better Cotton Initiative (Switzerland) — as the representative of China asked it to explain its relationship with a specific funding source;
Coppieters Foundation (Belgium) — as the representative of Türkiye asked it to expand on the functions of a network of academics, policymakers and practitioners, and how it will help it contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
DT Institute (United States) — as the representative of Cuba asked if the organization has created new programmes in other countries, and which ones;
Dalit Solidarity, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of India requested an explanation of how it functions with a deficit;
Darülaceze Vakfi (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia asked if it cooperates with any international or local organizations outside the country of registration, and the nature of that cooperation;
Den Norske Helsingforskomité (Norway) — as the representative of Cuba requested further information on local initiatives it finances, in which countries, and how it ensures it does not breach legal frameworks;
Dünya Etnospor Konfederasyonu (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia asked how it identifies related NGOs to establish cooperation;
Ensaaf, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of India called for details on the source of a $50,000 grant;
Ethiopian Genocide Committee 1935-1941, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Türkiye called on it to expand on its new agenda and inform on planned projects for 2024 and how they relate to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Switzerland) — as the representative of China requested details on its participation in UN conferences or activities since 2019;
European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF) (France) — as the representative of China asked it to explain the nature of its cooperation with the Human Rights Council; and
Every Woman Treaty Inc (United States) — as the representative of China asked if the NGO has plans to continue advocacy work in the Commission on the Status of Women.
The representative of Armenian Bar Association (United States), responding to a previous question about auxiliary membership, noted those members cannot vote but have a voice at meetings. That membership category welcomes those who cannot manage membership dues and comprises some 20 applications out of a membership of over 400.
The representative of Türkiye then asked about an application reference to some 4,000 “recipients” and if they are considered members.
The representative affirmed that 498 individuals are dues-paying members, and that “recipients” refers to the NGO’s outreach programme contacting interested parties through mailing lists and social media.
The representative of Türkiye then asked about the role of standing committees in achieving NGO goals and activities.
The representative responded that standing committees report to the board of governors but are topic specific, such as the pro bono committee or student relations committee.
The representative of Türkiye next asked about the specific responsibilities of individual committees in NGO structure and achieving its objectives.
The representative responded that committees are not involved in the overall NGO structure but are limited to individual topics.
The representative of Türkiye then asked for submission of a written elaboration on the individual responsibilities of individual committees.
Next, a representative of the Board of Deputies Charitable Foundation (United Kingdom), identifying himself as the Senior Vice-President, said his organization represents the British-Jewish community. As such, it will work in UN forums, as well as with organizations that share consultative status and with Member States, to fight the pernicious hatred of anti-Semitism. He expressed hope that the Committee will recommend his organization for consultative status.
The representative of Türkiye then noted that a question previously submitted by his delegation — asking for more details about the organization’s criteria for affiliation — has not been reflected in the Committee’s paperless system. This was followed by a discussion between that representative, the representative of the Secretariat, the Chair and the representative of the United States regarding the uploading of the content of the Committee’s interactive dialogues.
The representative of Türkiye then asked the representative of the organization for an updated list of its individual institutional members that distinguishes between organizations and synagogal communities.
The representative, referencing the list already uploaded by his organization, said that the entries for synagogal members say “synagogue” at the end.
The representative of Algeria then asked for details on finances received from philanthropic contributors.
The representative asked to which line on the expense report Algeria’s delegate was referring, which that delegate then specified. The representative then responded that — aside from communal contributions — as his organization is a charity, sometimes people also give extra donations from private sources.
The representative of Türkiye, recalling his request for a list of institutional members, said his delegation looks forward to receiving an updated list.
Then, the representative of Cuba, referencing the earlier procedural discussion, said that it provides a good opportunity for the Secretariat to ensure that questions asked during the interactive dialogue are recorded in the paperless system. This will help Committee members to exercise due diligence.
The representative of China, supporting that, expressed hope that the Secretariat takes note of this proposal. He also pointed out that the press releases, linked on the paperless system’s website, provide summaries — “so it is possible to go further on this”.
The representative of the United States, noting the Committee’s longstanding practice of considering questions asked and answered during an interactive dialogue answered for the Committee’s purposes, said that a decision to change this would have to be taken outside of the Committee’s current formal session. She added that it does not make sense, given the Secretariat’s resource constraints, but said that if those members pushing for this would provide extra resources, her delegation would welcome it.
The representative of Cuba said that his delegation was not proposing to change anything; rather, it was just suggesting that — in the process of elaborating a new system of working methods — it would be wise to explore whether registration of questions asked to organizations during the interactive dialogue was possible.
The representative of Türkiye noted that his request related to a question posed during the Committee’s regular review process — not the interactive dialogue. He said that it is not useful to the Committee if questions posed by its members are not adequately reflected in Committee records for future reference.
The representative of China, supporting proposals by the representatives of Cuba and Türkiye, underlined the need for an informal procedure with which to discuss improved working methods and to advance useful proposals.
The representative of Algeria, voicing support for keeping track of the interactive dialogues, suggested that this be done if resources are available to do so.
The Chair then said that it was good that the Committee was able to hear a proposal that evolved out of the interaction with the organization present, but suggested that discussions thereon should not necessarily occur during the Committee’s consideration of the current agenda item.
Next, a representative of Pikes Peak Justice and Pro Bono Center, Inc. (United States), responding to a previous question, noted the NGO’s website will always be respectful of the laws of Colorado, the United States and United Nations, as well as its regulations and terminology. After a thorough review of its website, she explained that a dropdown menu had included a reference to Taiwan. She further explained that the NGO’s programmes involved 301 legal consultations, reading an impact statement from one such person who was helped.
The representative of China thanked the NGO for the detailed response, and noted it had changed the wrong terminology. He commended the organization which, despite challenges of shortage of hands and resources, has carried out serious activities in its professional areas and contributed to the work of the United Nations, adding that he had no further questions.
The Chair then confirmed that special consultative status was granted to the NGO.
Next, a representative of the Southern Poverty Law Center Inc. (United States) noted her group is a civil and human rights organization focused on racial justice in the United States, with four strategic impact goals: combating white supremacy and protecting democracy, eradicating poverty, decarceration, and promoting voting rights and civil participation. She affirmed that the NGO had submitted supplemental responses to questions from the previous two sessions including an updated breakdown of funding allocation, and further submitted information about international engagements, and participates robustly in UN activities on United States human rights issues.
The representative of Cuba confirmed that his delegation had received the updated information and had no further questions.
The representative of Pakistan, noting the NGO does not charge membership fees, asked about the standard of intaking members, and if personnel abroad can become members.
The representative stated that membership is made up of individual donors, and there are no set amounts to give. It also receives some funding from foundations which cannot become members. She said she does not believe it accepts any foreign donations but would have to verify.
The representative of Pakistan said she would await a further response on foreign donations.
The representative of China asked if the COVID-19 pandemic had had a negative impact on the organization, and for its activities since 2021.
The representative responded that the pandemic affected conducting litigation in courts, but it persisted to continue robust action in several domains.
The representative of China asked if its legislative activities involve cooperation with different levels of Government, and if so, how.
Next, a representative of Human Social Care Foundation (India), recalling a question about his organization’s plans for 2024 and how consultative status would help, said that his organization will continue its social activities in the same form and capacity as in previous years. He further emphasized that such status will provide his organization with a platform for learning and support, helping it to improve its working efficiency. Noting that he was from India — “the land of karma” — he said that delegates’ cooperation will help his organization achieve its goals, “which we are doing for a good cause”.
The representative of Pakistan, noting a lull in the organization’s reported activities, asked what initiatives the organization has taken recently to promote its aims and purposes.
The representative recalled his organization’s reply, submitted on 16 May 2023, and noted that, after a woman was raped in India, 11 people convicted of that crime were subsequently released. To obtain justice for that woman, the organization submitted a filing outlining its concern to the local governor in 2023.
The representative of Pakistan, stating that the incident of rape occurred in 2019, said she was asking about activities undertaken more recently.
The representative said that the release occurred in 2023, after which his organization appealed to the governor of Maharashtra.
The representative of the United States, expressing support for the organization’s work, stressed that an organization doing this type of work — especially at the local level — is a voice needed at the United Nations. She also encouraged other Committee members to consider organizational representatives’ direct answers to their questions, noting that the present question has already been answered.
The representative of Pakistan said that, over three years, the organization could not have only been involved with two or three cases, emphasizing that she was asking about other projects not mentioned in the application. Also pointing out that the organization’s 10 members are all Indian nationals, she asked how the organization is “international”, as mentioned in its application.
The representative, recalling his response made in the Committee on 24 January, said that — although his organization received tax exemptions from the Government of India — due to a lack of funding it was not able to conduct much work. Rather, it carried out small activities based on its capacity. He added that his organization seeks advice internationally to implement domestically.
The representative of Pakistan, noting that the organization has been registered since 2018, asked for the group to submit financial statements in writing.
Next, a representative of Sewa International (India) responded to a previous question, noting the NGO has supported the promotion and empowerment of women self-help groups, with 583 such groups across India. Key initiatives include an integrated livelihood development project supporting income generation of 200 beneficiaries through agriculture and 60 through livestock.
The representative of China asked if there are any specific work plans for 2024, and whether they are vision- or outcome-driven.
The representative said the NGO is largely focused on outcome-driven activities as it works at the grassroots level, will continue in 2024 to pursue its work and objectives, and will add the plans to its detailed submission.
The representative of Pakistan, noting the application was one of the most detailed, asked about work in slum areas in India in 2023.
The representative cited initiatives aimed at building up people’s skills across all sectors, and said he would include a list of all areas in a written submission.
The representative of Pakistan then posed a question on training programmes towards the Sustainable Development Goals.