Continuing its 2024 Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Defers Action on 106 Groups for Special Consultative Status
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations continued its 2024 session today, deferring action on 106 requests for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
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 numerous applications was deferred because Committee members requested further information from the candidates about issues including details of their organizations’ activities, budget, expenditures and sources of funding, discrepancies in the organizations’ applications and websites, or their neutrality, independence and transparency.
In the afternoon, the Committee held its customary interactive dialogue period with six previously deferred NGOs.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 31 January, to continue its session.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations postponed consideration of the following 33 entities:
Right to Education Initiative (United Kingdom) — as the representative of China asked for further details on donations or support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
Russian-Speaking Community Council, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China requested information on its participation in the International Young Leaders Assembly Global Summit in 2017;
Stichting Stop Ecocide Foundation (Netherlands) — as the representative of Zimbabwe sought an explanation of upcoming programmes and projects for 2024 and 2025, including goals, audience and anticipated results;
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies R.A. (Israel) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for details and progress on establishing an environmentally sustainable campus, including funding and administration;
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (Canada) — as the representative of Cuba called for clarification of an inconsistency on membership organizations;
The Explorers Club (United States) — as the representative of China requested details on membership including their rights and obligations;
Themistocles and Dimitris Tsatsos Foundation (Greece) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for details on a discrepancy between income and expenditure;
UNITEE (Belgium) — as the representative of China requested information on its participation in the Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD);
VšĮ Tarptautinis pilietinių iniciatyvų centras “Mūsų namai” (Lithuania) — as the representative of the United Kingdom asked for plans and activities in 2024 intended to force the international human rights community to reconsider criteria for recognizing political prisoners in Belarus;
Ashrafolanbia Charity Institute (Iran) — as the representative of the United Kingdom asked for details on activities related to the Commission for Social Development and the Commission on the Status of Women;
Global Healthy Living Foundation, Inc (United States) — as the representative of China requested information on collaborative relationships with the Governments of the United States and Australia and how it maintains its independence;
The Center for Victims of Torture (United States) — as the representative of China asked for clarification on a previous 2008 approval for consultative status which it could not employ, and why it believes it now could;
Umut Ol Uluslararsi İnsani Yardim Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of the United States requested additional information on its leadership including terms and responsibilities;
WomenStrong International (United States) — as the representative of China sought further details on its participation in UN-related conferences and activities since 2022, and plans for 2024;
“The Awakening” A Society for Social & Cultural Development (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on its programme on early and forced marriages;
ARTM - Associação de Reabilitação de Toxicodependentes de Macau (China) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked the NGO for details on its participation in several sessions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs;
Analog Ventures LLP (India) — as the representative of Pakistan sought clarification on its previous response concerning difficulties in doing business in India;
Asociaţia Obştească Centrul de dezvoltare şi susţinere a iniţiativelor cetăţenilor “Resonance” (Republic of Moldova) — as the representative of Israel asked for an extensive list of all organizations and countries from which it received funding over the last three years; and the representative of Georgia asked about its cooperation with agencies and institutes in the Transnistria region of the Republic Moldova;
Association de la femme saharienne pour le développement intégré (Morocco) — as the representative of Algeria asked for clarification on the status of the author of a previous response;
Association de l’Alliance Nationale des Chourafa Naciryiene et leurs cousins, chargés des affaires de la Zaouia Naciria (Morocco) — as the representative of India asked for clarification on how its aims will contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council;
Association of Women for Awareness & Motivation (AWAM) (Pakistan) — as the representative of India sought details on expenditures on website maintenance for 2022 and 2023;
Belarusian Fund of Peace (Belarus) — as the representative of the United States asked about participation in the third United Nations High-level Conference of the Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States in 2023;
Center for Research and Policy Making (North Macedonia) — as the representative of Armenia requested information on its higher education activities;
Centre for Research and Development (India) — as the representative of Pakistan sought details on its watershed and climate adaptation projects;
China Council for the Promotion of National Trade (China) — as the representative of the United Kingdom requested clarification on how it remains non-governmental when participating in affairs on behalf of the Government of China;
China Oceanic Development Foundation (China) — as the representative of the United Kingdom asked for further details on the work stipulated in its charter;
Community Care and Social Development Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details on free hospitals it established;
Council for Sustainable Peace and Development (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for information on planned activities in 2024;
Diplomatic Mission Peace and Prosperity (Albania) — as the representative of Armenia requested clarification about its registration with the UN and other organizations, and its use of their official symbols;
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation (India) — as the representative of China asked for details on a specific project;
Human Social Care Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan sought information on funding for a list of 2024 activities;
Institute of International Peace Leaders (Private) Limited (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification on how organization members are included;
Islamic Relief Committee (Sri Lanka) — as the representative of Nicaragua sought audited financial information for 2021, 2022 and 2023;
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Deemed to be University (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked to see its research reports on juvenile justice;
Leaders club de développement des compétences de la vie (Morocco) — as the representative of Algeria pointed out a discrepancy between its answers to various questions;
National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH & Integrative Medicine (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for project plans and funding breakdowns for 2024;
National Forum for Human Rights [Yemen] (Yemen) — as the representative of Israel asked for an updated financial statement for 2022;
Nature Labs (India) — as the representative of India pointed to the land mentioned as fixed assets in the organization’s balance sheets and questioned its purpose;
Peace Justice Humanity and Relief Foundation (India) — as the representative of India asked which academic institutions will benefit from its study reports;
Non-Governmental Organization «Association of Wives and Mothers of Soldiers Participating in Ato» (Ukraine) — as the representative of China asked for more information about its elections and who and how can present candidatures;
People’s Participation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked about its development programmes and their purposes;
Persatuan Cinta Gaza Malaysia (Malaysia) — as the representative of Israel asked for more information regarding current and prospective activities;
Pragati Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for updates regarding the establishment of an old age home and an orphanage;
Pusat Komas SDN. BHD. (Malaysia) — as the representative of China asked for details about its 2021-2023 activities related to the United Nations;
Rainbow Volunteer Club (China) — as the representative of Bahrain requested more information about the small grants it provided and the local organizations to whom they were provided;
Samajik Yuva Sangthan Sansthan (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more information about its youth leadership and capacity-building programme;
Samaritan Help Mission (India) — as the representative of India asked about the status and funding of the seven projects scheduled to finish in 2023;
Sewa International (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more information about how it is generating livelihoods through its organic farming initiatives;
Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (China) — as the representative of the United States asked that the original be re-posed since it stated that it was still deliberating on it;
Shree Someshwar Education Trust (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for recent audited financial statements;
Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Center (China) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for more information about projects to support youth entrepreneurship;
Social and Media Studies Institute (Morocco) — as the representative of Algeria asked for a copy of its internal guidelines;
Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management Research Foundation (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for audited financial statements for 2023;
Stella Maris Institute of Development Studies (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked about its activities to promote microenterprise among rural women;
The Ecumenical Christian Centre Bangalore (India) — as the representative of Pakistan requested information about its participation in United Nations conferences;
The Gulmit Educational and Social Welfare Society, Hunza Gilgit (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan asked about its cultural centre and activities therein;
Transnational Anti-Organized Crime Intelligence Group Inc. (TAOC-IG) (Philippines) — as the representative of Bahrain asked for information about its planned activities for 2024;
West Papua Interest Association (Indonesia) — as the representative of China asked for more information about its training programmes;
World Internet of Things Convention (China) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more information about its activities from 2022-2023;
Y S Makhdoomi Memorial Educational Trust (India) — as the representative of India asked for clarification regarding a discrepancy in its financial statement;
Youchang Consulting (China) — as the representative of Bahrain asked about its partnerships with Government agencies;
Youth Parli of Pakistan (YPP) (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification on the high percentage of expenditure on non-substantial activities;
Zindagi Trust (Pakistan) — as the representative of India requested details about its investments as detailed in its financial statement;
Action League for Palestinians of Syria LTD (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Israel asked the organization to detail its work in each area of operation;
C.A.R.E Scandinavia - Citizens Against Radicalism & Extremism (Denmark) — as the representative of Israel requested further elaboration of those activities for which it seeks funding;
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (Canada) — as the representative of China requested elaboration of the process and methods used to carefully choose its partners on the ground and around disaster areas;
Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Eritrea sought information on a system of civilian-led monitoring systems in terms of efficiency and results;
Center for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK) (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for details on operations and funding for a specific project;
Common Good Foundation Inc (United States) — as the representative of China requested information on how it fulfils its objectives on expenditures of $150;
Darius El TM (United States) — as the representative of China asked how the NGO reflects transparency and democracy in its processes;
European Foundation for South Asian Studies (Netherlands) — as the representative of China, noting it has no relations with Governments, asked how it ensures its research and data are accurate, and for a list of academic institutions it works with;
FIRST.Org, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China requested clarification of how it held its first annual meeting before it was founded in 2004;
Geneva Call (Switzerland) — as the representative of Pakistan asked how the NGO maintains the core values of neutrality and independence in the complex nature of armed conflict;
Global Detention Project (Switzerland) — as the representative of Algeria noted a mistake in the Paperless portal regarding the NGO that should be removed, and further called for elaboration of a funding organization, and how the NGO can present itself as such;
Hokok Coalición Internacional Contra la Impunidad (Spain) — as the representative of Bahrain requested financial statements for 2022 and 2023;
International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law (United States) — as the representative of China sought elaboration of its participation in UN conferences and activities over the past three years;
International Child Rights Center (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Cuba asked for an explanation of what it means to be monitoring the practices of a Government on behalf of the Committee on the Rights of the Child;
Khalsa Aid International (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Pakistan asked what kind of sustainable humanitarian assistance it provides other than life-saving aid, and if it provides any assistance in early recovery projects;
Knowmad Institut gemeinnützige UG (haftungsbeschränkt) (Germany) — as the representative of China asked what kind of open-source methods it uses to ensure its research publications and activities are open and available;
Labdaros ir paramos fondas “Nevyriausybinių organizacijų informacijos ir paramos centras” (Lithuania) — as the representative of China asked if the NGO has any communication or working mechanisms with the Government in implementing its aims;
Merciful Souls (Al-Qolub Al-Rahima)(R/A) (Israel) — as the representative of China asked for more information about one of its projects;
Muslim Hands (United Kingdom) — as the representative of Cuba asked for more information about the countries in which it operates;
Nationaal Papoea Vereniging '95/West Nieuw Guinea (Netherlands) — as the representative of India asked for a breakdown of funding and resource allocation for two of its programmes;
Nobel Women’s Initiative (Canada) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked about funding that was suspended at the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas;
Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute (United States) — as the representative of Bahrain asked for a list of activities it plans to carry out in 2024;
SAM pour les droits et les libertés (Switzerland) — as the representative of Algeria requested an explanation on how it plans to conduct its activities with its limited budget resources;
Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (Republic of Korea) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked for a list of planed activities for 2024, its partners and sources of funding;
Stichting Volunteer Activists (Netherlands) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for clarification about its relationship with partner organizations;
Stichting White Helmets Foundation (Netherlands) — as the representative of Cuba asked for clarification about its cooperation with judicial institutions;
Tom Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice (United States) — as the representative of China asked about specific issues it hopes to engage with in the Economic and Social Council;
Uyghur Human Rights Project (United States) — as the representative of China asked how it ensures the accuracy and authenticity of the data it collects;
Österreichischer Rat Für Nachhaltige Entwicklung - Österreichischer Nachhaltigkeitsrat für soziale, ökologische und ökonomische Angelegenheiten (Austria) — as the representative of Israel asked for an elaboration of its other activities in 2023 as well as collaboration with other organizations;
"Odlar Yurdu" Gənclər İctimai Birliyi (Azerbaijan) — as the representative of Armenia asked how it maintains zero administrative expenditure with two offices and 10 permanent staff members;
Baghbaan (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked it to provide a reason for the dramatic increase in its financial deposits;
Comité de América Latina y el Caribe para la Defensa de los Derechos de las Mujeres (Peru) — as the representative of Nicaragua asked it to provide an audited financial statement for 2022-23;
Environmental and Societal Development Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked the organization to inform the Committee when its website is functioning so that the Committee can study the reports published therein;
Global Village Forum Chakwal c/o Shaheen Degree College Chappar Bazar Chakwal (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for updates about the construction of its permanent office building and other projects;
Human Rights Initiative (India) — as the representative of India asked for more details about how it helped people during calamities in the last five years;
Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of India questioned the variations in the physical addresses of the organization between its website, application and letterhead, among others;
Lahore Educational and Welfare Society (Pakistan) – as the representative of India asked for more details, including expenditure incurred, sources of funding and outcomes, of its “Clean City Project”.
Mədəni İnkişafın Təbliği İctimai birliyi (Azerbaijan) — as the representative of Armenia asked for concrete examples of its work in women’s empowerment;
OxYGen Foundation for Protection of Women and Youth Rights (Armenia) - as the representative of Türkiye asked for clarification about its relationship with Oxfam Great Britain;
PAY-W Clinic (India) — as the representative of India asked how the organization provides online consultations without infrastructure and how it works with poor patients who do not have online access;
Pak Special Persons Welfare Society (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for clarification about the money spent on the construction of its community complex;
Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) (Lebanon) — as the representative of Israel asked for a detailed breakdown of its projects; and
Solidariteit/Solidarity (South Africa) — as the representative of Zimbabwe asked for its plans and activities for the upcoming year and how they fit into the objectives of the Economic and Social Council.
Interactive Discussion
During the Committee’s interactive question-and-answer session, a representative of Save Water and Safe Water Foundation (India) stated that his NGO envisions a world where all have access to safe drinking water. Registered in 2020, the organization began when he was asked “who are you to save water?” and decided to act. He noted that the organization drills wells in villages, and in urban areas facing water scarcity, helps with street education programmes. Recalling that some recipients asked why the NGO did not also distribute food, he said it now helps any way it can, distributing food, blankets and even wheelchairs. He further noted he had answered previous questions via email.
The representative of Türkiye then commended the NGO’s work, asking about its main achievements in 2023 towards procurement of potable water.
The NGO representative noted that 2023 was a great year, helping the organization understand where it stands in the community, going deep inside villages and forming teams mainly consisting of volunteers. In 2024, it will concentrate on sustainable development programmes, including helping empower women through teaching them how to make floor cleaner and shampoo they can sell. “It is not what we are, but with whom we are,” he stressed.
The representative of Pakistan asked why the NGO is international when it works in India.
Responding, the NGO representative noted he has travelled to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to encounter friendly organizations it wants to work with.
The representative of Pakistan requested clarification of whether the NGO has planned any activities with partners in those countries.
The representative answered that the organization is in discussions, as funding is an issue.
The representative of Pakistan requested clarification of the organization’s financial statement, noting that in some cases, income was generated from activities, while in other parts of its application it cited charitable activity.
In response, the NGO representative noted that blanket distribution and repairing someone’s damaged house can be accomplished by collecting funds from people nearby. Travelling to other countries, however, would require huge funding.
The representative of Pakistan then asked him to share information on major donor partners in writing.
Next, the representative of China Council for the Promotion of National Trade (China) addressed the Committee. Noting that the organization was established in 1986, she said it is based in Beijing and aims to promote economic development, especially that of ethnic minority groups. Highlighting her organization’s “One Town One Product” programme, she noted that the Committee had enquired about her organization’s website’s references to Government affairs. In the policy analysis section of its website, the organization shares information regarding new policies so that member companies can have intel on the policy environment, she said. Further, sometimes local Government officials are invited as keynote speakers for events the organization conducts, she added.
The representative of Pakistan asked about the three tiers of membership in the organization and the criteria for membership fees. Responding, the representative of China Council for the Promotion of National Trade said the tiers are for different categories, such as ethnic minority groups, private sector small- and medium-sized enterprises and partner organizations. She offered to send more information about membership fees after consulting with her financial staff.
Cuba’s delegate asked for a detailed project-by-project breakdown of the allocation of resources and for more information about partner organizations on the ground. Responding, the representative said her organization has multiple roles. It provides a platform, by being a sales expo for different kinds of local products. It also serves as an agent, by matching investors with producers in less-developed regions. Further, the organization works as a secretariat for multiple stakeholders, enabling communication between them. Noting the many questions about how it maintains its independence, she said: “I understand where the questions come from”. Her organization is like a “night guard”, working to ensure that it maintains its independence, she said.
Next, a representative of Human Social Care Foundation (India), responding to a previous question on funding, noted that the organization is 60 per cent staffed by members and the remaining amount of its funding is provided by individual donors. Economic and Social Council status will help it to carry out work in social development.
The representative of China then noted that the scope of its work was limited over the last year, due to financial constraints and limited personnel. He asked if the NGO has a specific mechanism for seeking feedback, and what results it has achieved.
The NGO representative asked for clarification of the question.
The representative of China, clarifying, asked if the organization has a systematic way of seeking feedback, and requested country-specific results and how they contribute to the Economic and Social Council.
Responding, the representative said that it mostly works to benefit social development at the UN. On funding, he recalled that the NGO only received its taxation exemption certificate from the Government of India, which prevented it from carrying out activities, and that being granted special consultative status will help.
The representative of China noted the organization is only at its initial stage, and its contributions may be constrained. Citing its limited or singular source of income, he asked if it has any plans to improve its financial structure and diversify income sources.
The representative responded that the NGO is in touch with individual and corporate donors and has been assured that this will help in April 2024, the beginning of financial year in India. He recalled that in 2023, in the wake of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, the NGO helped collect relief material without any discrimination, distributing it to the embassies of both countries.
The representative of Pakistan asked about its contact and the nature of its participation with other NGOs.
The representative cited a peace march it held against drugs and child rape, which was not a collaboration with NGOs, but participation which lied to interlinking with those organizations.
The representative of Pakistan requested a written list of NGOs that participated in the march.
Next, the Committee heard from a representative of Transnational Anti-Organized Crime Intelligence Group Inc. (TAOC-IG) (Philippines), who said his organization has a very critical role in responding to special requests for information concerning transnational anti-organized crime. Further, the Group investigates cases involving Filipinos and foreign nationals and also monitors the results of investigations and compliance with outcomes, he said, adding that it maintains a list of wanted persons in transnational anti-organized crime. The Group submits intelligence reports directly to the President of the country, the Chief of Staff and national police. These special functions are exercised by all its members, he said, adding that all such activities are operated and funded by members of the organization — “there is no other finance from other people”, he added.
The representative of Nicaragua asked about the organization’s website reference to partnerships with other international peacekeeping groups. Responding, the representative said his group is very accommodating to all United Nations trainings. The approval of the application has been pending for a long time, but his organization is proud to participate in United Nations activities, he stressed.
Cuba’s delegate pointed to the response pending to the question on planned activities for 2025. The representative said all members are working personnel, either in Government “or in private practice like me”, he said. But they work together to ensure the financial functioning of the organization. The work of this organization is critical to goodness, not just in the Philippines, but all nations, he said.