Finishing Regular Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Adopts Report, Recommends 132 Entities for Status with Economic and Social Council

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today concluded the first part of its 2024 session, which occurred over 22-31 January, adopting its report while having recommended 132 organizations for consultative status and taken note of 734 quadrennial reports.

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

Before the report was introduced, the Committee agreed to authorize its Chair, Zebib Gebrekidan (Eritrea), to write a letter to the President of the Economic and Social Council, accompanied by a draft decision, proposing an exceptional extension of the deadline for receiving new applications for consultative status in 2024, from 1 June to 14 June.

The Chair then presented the report (to be issued as document E/C.2/2024/CRP.52/Rev.1), noting that the Committee recommended 132 organizations for consultative status, deferred 344 other applications for further consideration at its resumed session and took note of 734 quadrennial reports.  Another 30 applications were closed without prejudice after the organizations in question failed to respond to queries by the relevant deadline.  Additionally, the report contains two draft decisions on matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council.

Stating that the draft report reflects discussions held during the session on several sensitive issues, she said that it is a balanced text that faithfully reflects Committee members’ positions.  The Committee then adopted the report and, congratulating its members on the successful conclusion of its 2024 regular session, the Chair thanked them for their support and collaboration.  She also thanked the non-governmental organizations that attended the regular session and participated in the Committee’s work.

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will reconvene over 28 May-5 June, and on 14 June, for its resumed session.