Completing Substantive Work, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Considers Draft Report, Defers Action on 30 Entities

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today met to consider a skeleton report of its 2024 regular session — held from 22 January to 31 January, and on 9 February — and to review the remaining previously deferred applications for special consultative status.

The draft report (to be issued as document E/C.2/2024/CRP.52) will be updated by filling in blanks with substantive details and subsequently electronically circulated to Committee members for their consideration.  The Chair further proposed holding informal consultations as necessary.

In a brief ensuing discussion, several Committee members discussed procedural issues, including a proposed insertion to the report, as well as working methods and future informal consultations. The Committee then authorized the Chair to finalize the draft report in consultation with its members, with the support of the Secretariat, and present it on 9 February for adoption.

In her closing remarks, Zebib Gebrekidan (Eritrea), Chair of the Committee, noted its work had been smooth and members’ contributions were respectful and professional.  She noted that during the session, the Committee reviewed 214 new applications for special consultative status and 294 applications deferred from a previous session, for a total of 508.  In addition, it reviewed 1 merger, 755 new quadrennial reports and 115 reports deferred from a previous session, taking note of 5 requests for a name change.

She further observed that by the end of the day on 31 January, a total of 132 organizations would have been recommended for consultative status, representing 52 per cent of new applications and 7 per cent of deferred applications — leading her to anticipate a higher workload for the next session due to the large number of deferred applications.  The Chair further thanked those NGOs who provided written responses and those who participated in interactive question and answer sessions.

Before presentation of the skeleton report, the Committee deferred action on the remaining 30 applications for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.

The Committee will reconvene on 9 February to adopt the report, while the 2024 resumed session will be held at the end of May.

Special Consultative Status

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations postponed consideration of the following 30 entities:

Welfare Association Jared (Pakistan) — as the representative of India asked for details on its work with marginalized communities over the past five years;

Yadam Institute of Research (India) — as the representative of China requested information on how its total income equals expenditure, including whether there are hidden items; the Secretariat then stated that questions usually address discrepancies, and it is unusual to question when income and expenditure are equal, asking if there was a reason for the representative’s suspicion, other than the numbers; after which the representative of China said he had some suspicions on the NGO’s ability to maintain financial sustainability given the figures;

BCI - Better Cotton Initiative (Switzerland) — as the representative of China sought information on participation in World Trade Organization-related events since 2018;

Dalit Solidarity, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of India requested details on projects undertaken in third world countries since its establishment, including expenditures and funding;

Darülaceze Vakfi (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia invited the NGO to share information on 2024 projects, including sources of funding and expenditures;

Den Norske Helsingforskomité (Norway) — as the representative of Cuba, citing the NGO’s alternative reports on treaty bodies, asked which countries they addressed;

Ensaaf, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of India requested details on a $50,000 grant from a Canadian organization;

Every Woman Treaty Inc (United States) — as the representative of China asked for further information on a report from 2023 and the data collection method;

Hayrat Humanitarian Aid Association (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia invited the organization to provide details on projects planned for 2024 and 2025, and if it intends to expand to other countries;

Human Rights Activists (United States) — as the representative of Cuba asked for a written breakdown of its funding from organizations, and if that is linked to specific activities;

IFEX (Canada) — as the representative of Eritrea posed a question on the role of regional experts, and why certain regions have the same experts;

International Cultural Diversity Organization (Austria) — as the representative of China requested details on programmes and activities since 2021;

International Human Rights Commission La Commission Internationale des Droits de l’homme Mezinárodní komise pro lidská práva - nadační fond, ve zkrácené formě IHRC - nadační fond (Switzerland) — as the representative of Armenia asked for explanation of how it maintains offices, including one in Poland, on a modest budget, and for sources of funding;

Just Peace Advocates Mouvement pour une paix juste (Canada) — as the representative of Israel asked for updated financial reports for 2022;

L’institut européen de droit international et les relations internationales (IEDI) - The European Institute for International Law and International Relations (EIIL) (France) — as the representative of China asked the NGO to share information on how it mediates among fighting groups;

Luftbrücke Irak e.V. (Germany) — as the representative of Türkiye sought information on planned projects and activities for 2024 and how they relate to the work of the Economic and Social Council;

MENA Rights Group (Switzerland) — as the representative of Israel asked for information on funding from a single NGO;

PVBLIC Foundation, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of Cuba asked for information on 75 per cent of its fund from other NGOs, if they are linked to specific projects, or if it can use them freely;

Peace Without Limits (PWL) International Organization, Inc. (Switzerland) — as the representative of Türkiye asked for information on planned projects and activities for 2024 and how they relate to the work of the Economic and Social Council;

SJAC (United States) — as the representative of Eritrea requested information on how a staff of 13 can deal with nearly 2 million pieces of open-source documentation, and why it has not participated in any United Nations conferences since 2017;

SosyalBen Vakfı (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia asked for further details on sponsor organizations and a breakdown of funding;

Southern Poverty Law Center, Inc. (United States) — as the representative of China requested details on unspent balances and for information on future financial plans;

Stichting InterNations Exchange (Netherlands) — as the representative of China asked for details on a platform where minorities can express their needs and interests;

Su Politikaları Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia invited the NGO to provide an updated financial report and sources of funding in 2023;

The International Center for Supporting Rights and Freedoms (Switzerland) — as the representative of China requested links to its research and studies undertaken in 2022 and 2023;

The Zakat Foundation of America (United States) — as the representative of China asked the NGO for information on participation in UN conferences and activities since 2022;

Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia sought further details on its accreditation with UN organs, funds and programmes;

Uluslararası Yardımlaşma ve Kalkındırma Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of Israel asked for further information on projects planned or expected for 2024 and 2025;

Öz Gida Sanayi Ve Yardimci İşçileri Sendikasi (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia requested further details on how the NGO will contribute to the work of the Economic and Social Council and subsidiary bodies; and

İnsani Hayat Derneği (Türkiye) — as the representative of Armenia invited the organization to provide details on planned activities for 2024 and 2025, including financial information.