How to Get NGO Voice Heard, Presence Registered, and Expertise Shared at the UN
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may get accredited by the UN Economic and Social Council through its Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. If approved, an NGO may receive either a general, special or roster consultative status. The most definitive guide to NGO accreditation is ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31. With accreditation, NGOs are allowed to name their representatives at offices of the UN System worldwide. Following established procedures at each office, NGO designated representatives may then be issued a pass (badge) which gives them physical access at UN premises, and when warranted, participation at UN meetings.
NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status may speak and submit statements based on the provisions of Res. 1996/31. Paragraphs 36 and 37 of the Resolution govern the submission of written statements. Paragraph 38 pertains to oral presentations at UN meetings. Paragraph 39 refers to special studies and investigations that ECOSOC may ask NGO(s) that have competence on a specific field to undertake.
In general, only NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status may submit written statements or make oral presentations. When signing a group statement, the name of each NGO signing must be clearly indicated. Statements developed by NGO Committees or Working Groups are valid for submission as long as they are submitted by NGO members that have ECOSOC consultative status.
Other bodies within the UN System have their own specific requirements for NGOs to be accredited, either for associated or observer status. For example, NGOs may apply for associated status with the UN Department of Global Communications. They may also address UN meetings based on their accreditation status with such UN bodies or through invitations issued for a particular meeting being convened by any entity within the UN System. For links to accreditation information with other UN entities, look here.
Here is the full text of Paragraphs 36, 37, 38, and 39 of ECOSOC Resolution 1996/31.
Written statements
36.- Written statements relevant to the work of the commissions or other subsidiary organs may be submitted by organizations in general consultative status and special consultative status on subjects for which these organizations have a special competence. Such statements shall be circulated by the Secretary-General to members of the commission or other subsidiary organs, except those statements that have become obsolete, for example, those dealing with matters already disposed of and those that have already been circulated in some other form to members of the commission or other subsidiary organs.
37.- The following conditions shall be observed regarding the submission and circulation of such written statements:
(a) The written statement shall be submitted in one of the official languages;
(b) It shall be submitted in sufficient time for appropriate consultation to take place between the Secretary-General and the organization before circulation;
(c) The organization shall give due consideration to any comments that the Secretary-General may make in the course of such consultation before transmitting the statement in final form;
(d) A written statement submitted by an organization in general consultative status will be circulated in full if it does not exceed 2,000 words. Where a statement is in excess of 2,000 words, the organization shall submit a summary, which will be circulated, or shall supply sufficient copies of the full text in the working languages for distribution. A statement will also be circulated in full, however, upon the specific request of the commission or other subsidiary organs;
(e) A written statement submitted by an organization in special consultative status will be circulated in full if it does not exceed 1,500 words. Where a statement is in excess of 1,500 words, the organization shall submit a summary, which will be circulated, or shall supply sufficient copies of the full text in the working languages for distribution. A statement will also be circulated in full, however, upon the specific request of the commission or other subsidiary organs;
(f) The Secretary-General, in consultation with the chairman of the relevant commission or other subsidiary organ, or the commission or other subsidiary organ itself, may invite organizations on the Roster to submit written statements. The provisions in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) above shall apply to such statements;
(g) A written statement or summary, as the case may be, will be circulated by the Secretary-General in the working languages and, upon the request of a member of the commission or other subsidiary organ, in any of the official languages.
Oral presentations during meetings
38.- (a) The commission or other subsidiary organs may consult with organizations in general consultative status and special consultative status either directly or through a committee or committees established for the purpose. In all cases, such consultations may be arranged upon the request of the organization;
(b) On the recommendation of the Secretary-General and at the request of the commission or other subsidiary organs, organizations on the Roster may also be heard by the commission or other subsidiary organs.
Special studies
39.- Subject to the relevant rules of procedure on financial implications, a commission or other subsidiary organ may recommend that an organization that has special competence in a particular field should undertake specific studies or investigations or prepare specific papers for the commission. The limitations of paragraphs 37 (d) and (e) above shall not apply in this case.
