Prepared by
Office of the President of the Millennium Assembly
55th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Reference document on the participation of civil society
in United Nations conferences and special sessions of the General Assembly during the 1990s
Version 19 November 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background for relationship with civil society
1.3 Current legislation
1.4 Practical arrangements

2. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(UNCED/Earth Summit/Rio Summit); 3-14 June 1992, Rio de Janeiro
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
2.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
2.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

3. WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
14-25 June 1993, Vienna
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Accreditation of civil society
3.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
3.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

4. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(ICPD); 5 - 13 September 1994, Cairo
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
4.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
4.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

5. WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
6 - 12 March 1995, Copenhagen
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
5.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
5.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

6. GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
25 April - 6 May, 1994, Barbados
6.1 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
6.2 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
6.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

7. THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN: ACTION FOR EQUALITY,
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
4 - 15 September 1995, Beijing
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Accreditation of non-governmental organizations
7.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
7.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

8. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
(Habitat II); 3 - 14 June 1996, Istanbul
8.1 Accreditation for civil society participation
8.2 Modalities for civil society participation
8.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

9. THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
14-20 May 2001, Brussels
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Accreditation for civil society
9.3 Modalities for participation of civil society
9.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

10. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE ILLICIT TRADE IN SMALL ARMS AND
LIGHT WEAPONS IN ALL ITS ASPECTS
9 - 20 July 2001, New York
10.1 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
10.2 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
10.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

11. WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION,
XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE
31 August - 7 September 2001, Durban
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
11.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
11.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

12. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
18 - 22 March 2002, Mexico
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Accreditation for civil society
12.3 Modalities for participation of civil society

13. SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING

8-12 April 2002, Madrid

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organization

13.3 Modalities of participation of non-governmental organizations

13.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

14. WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(Johannesburg Summit, Rio+10); 26 August-4 September 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations and other major groups

14.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations and other major groups

14.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

15. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE OVERALL REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF THE AGENDA
(EARTH SUMMIT + 5); 23-27 June 1997, New York
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Accreditation and modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
15.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

16. THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(ICPD + 5); New York, 30 June - 2 July 1999
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
16.3 Modalities for non-governmental organizations
16.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

17. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE WORLD SUMMIT
FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND BEYOND:
ACHIEVING SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD
26-30 June 2000, New York
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Accreditation for civil society
17.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
17.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

18. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE REVIEW AND APPRAISAL
OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION
FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
27 - 28 September 1999, New York
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Accreditation for civil society
18.3 Modalities for participation
18.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

19. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOMEN 2000;
GENDER EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
(Beijing + 5); 5 - 9 June 2000, New York
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
19.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
19.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

20. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR AN OVERALL REVIEW AND APPRAISAL
OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME OF THE UNITED NATIONS
CONFERENCE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
(ISTANBUL + 5); 6 - 8 June 2001, New York
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Accreditation for civil society
20.3 Modalities for the participation of civil society
20.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

21. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON REVIEW OF
THE PROBLEM OF HIV/AIDS IN ALL ITS ASPECTS
25-27 of June, 2001, New York
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Accreditation for civil society
21.3 Modalities for civil society participation
21.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings

22. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON CHILDREN
19-21 September 2001, New York
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
22.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
22.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings


1. GENERAL

1.1 Introduction

The accreditation and participation of civil society, including NGOs in United Nations conferences and special sessions is one way they contribute to the work of the UN. This practice has evolved and developed in particular during the 1990s when many of the major UN conferences took place. In the Millennium Declaration and follow up resolution, enhanced partnership and co-operation with civil society as a whole was called for to ensure its contribution to the implementation of the Declaration.

In order to facilitate the discussion on the participation of civil society in the work of the United Nations, this document compiles the history, including the legislative background and existing practice of civil society participation as far as UN conferences and special sessions are concerned. The already scheduled conferences and special sessions have been included in the document with information on decisions made so far.

In all conferences and special sessions, Member States usually make recommendations to civil society on their contribution concerning awareness raising, information campaigns, and the composition of national delegations, as well as on national level implementation, reporting and monitoring. The role of civil society in implementing the outcomes of these conferences and their impact in that process is one of the main reasons why civil society is interested in participating in UN conferences. They do so in order to influence the outcomes of these conferences and events, since they will - in any case - participate in the implementation. This aspect of the relationship is not dealt with in this document.

This document should be treated as 'work in process' and any comments and additions for its improvement are welcome.

1.2 Background on the relationship with civil society

Based on the Charter provisions, both in the preamble and article 71, the United Nations has had a relationship with civil society since its establishment. The first set of rules on this relationship was adopted in 1950 by ECOSOC. These rules were reviewed by the General Assembly in 1968 in resolution 1296, which became the basis for establishing criteria for the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the United Nations which remained in use for almost three decades. The resolution also provided the framework for the funds and programmes of the United Nations to appoint NGO liaison officers and to have their own procedures for NGO access.

In 1993, Member States decided that resolution 1296 needed to be reviewed in order to update and accommodate changes since 1968. The relationship between NGOs and the United Nations had developed, as NGOs had become more present, active and influential at the international level, and more directly engaged in the intergovernmental processes. The decision of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 1993/214 of February 1993 established the parameters and mandate for a review. The review took place from February 1993 to July 1996, under the auspices of a Working Group comprised of Member States.

In 1996, ECOSOC concluded this major review of arrangements for NGOs. The arrangements for NGOs at the United Nations as a whole were updated and adopted by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. This resolution is the current basis for partnership between NGOs and the United Nations.

The Secretary-General elaborated arrangements and practices for NGOs in his report A/53/170, in July 1998. Furthermore, the Secretary-General reflected the views of Member States, members of the specialized agencies, observers, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs from all regions in another report A/54/329, in September 1999. As stated above the Millennium Declaration gave a new mandate to enhance this partnership.

One should note that the Department of Public Information of the UN has its own co-operation with NGOs. The importance of working with and through NGOs as an integral part of United Nations information activities was recognized when the Department of Public Information was first established in 1946 and the work is based on General Assembly resolution 13 (I) and later on resolution 1296 and 1996/31. NGOs associated with DPI disseminate information about the UN to their membership, thereby building knowledge of and support for the Organization at the grassroots level. To apply, an NGO that meets the established criteria sends an official letter from its headquarters to the Chief of the NGO Section, Department of Public Information, expressing interest in association with DPI. To support the application, the letter must state the reasons why the organization seeks such association and briefly describe its information programmes. This letter must be accompanied by at least six samples of recent information materials produced by the applying organization. Letters of reference from UN Departments, UN Programmes and Specialized Agencies, and/or UN Information Centres and Services (UNICs and UNISs) greatly enhances consideration of the application. Association of NGOs with DPI does not constitute their incorporation into the United Nations system, nor does it entitle associated organizations or their staff to any kind of privileges, immunities or special status.

1.3 Current legislation

Partnership arrangements between NGOs and the United Nations are outlined in the following documents. The preamble of the UN Charter begins with "We, the peoples of the United Nations". This has come to mean both Member States and civil society. More details are given in article 71 of the Charter which recognizes NGOs legally and formally as partners within the UN system. The article states that ECOSOC may make arrangements for both national and international NGOs:

"The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned. " (UN Charter, Article 71: Untitled; Arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations)

The review process of NGO arrangements, held in 1993-96, resulted in ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. The resolution defined the criteria and principles for establishing consultative relationships for NGOs. The guidelines for written statements, oral statements and attendance during meetings were also formulated.

The resolution further decided that NGOs can be invited to participate in all international conferences and their preparatory processes convened by the United Nations. As a rule, NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC are accredited for participation; merely need to express their interest to participate to become accredited. Other NGOs wishing to participate can apply through the respective conference secretariat. It was decided that accreditation processes are the prerogative of Member States, exercised through the respective preparatory committee:

"Non-governmental organizations in general consultative status, special consultative status and on the Roster, that express their wish to attend the relevant international conferences convened by the United Nations and the meetings of the preparatory bodies of the said conferences shall as a rule be accredited for participation. Other non-governmental organizations wishing to be accredited may apply to the secretariat of the conference for this purpose…" (Article 42 of 1996/31)

On modalities of participation, resolution 1996/31 stated that NGOs, which have been accredited to an international conference, may be given an opportunity to speak at the preparatory meetings and at the event itself. During the preparatory process NGOs may make written statements:

"The non-governmental organizations accredited to the international conference may be given, in accordance with established United Nations practice and at the discretion of the chairperson and the consent of the body concerned, an opportunity to briefly address the preparatory committee and the conference in plenary meetings and their subsidiary bodies." (Article 51 of 1996/31)

"Non-governmental organizations accredited to the conference may make written presentations during the preparatory process in the official languages of the United Nations as they deem appropriate. Those written presentations shall not be issued as official documents except in accordance with United Nations rules of procedure." (Article 52 of 1996/31)

In the Millennium Declaration, that was adopted by resolution 55/2, civil society participation is taken up in three separate parts.

We also resolve…
To develop strong partnerships with the private sector and with civil society organizations in pursuit of development and poverty eradication ( Paragraph 20.)

We resolve therefore…
To strengthen further cooperation between the United Nations and national parliaments through their world organization, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, in various fields, including peace and security, economic and social development, international law and human rights and democracy and gender issues (paragraph 30)

To give greater opportunities to the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society, in general, to contribute to the realization of the Organization's goals and programmes. ( paragraph 30).

In the follow-up resolution to the Millennium Summit 55/162, the following commitments was made;

Calls for enhanced partnership and co-operation with national parliaments as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as set out in the Millennium Declaration, to ensure their contribution to the implementation of the Declaration. (paragraph 14 )

These procedures and arrangements form the legislative background for the relationship between the UN and NGOs, although the phase and scope of accreditation and modalities vary among individual processes of special sessions, conferences and summits.

1.4 Practical arrangements

It has become an established practice that the conference secretariat would inform NGOs about the decisions concerning civil society by a note or an invitation letter. It has also become an established practice that the secretariat would provide, for example, together with the NGO-Liaison Office or other entities, a briefing for accredited NGOs one or two days before a meeting. A briefing session usually covers an introduction to the UN, its work, rules and practices, as well as to the substantive issues of the upcoming event. Often briefings would also be organized every morning during the meeting session.

As conference space at the UN Headquarters is limited and the number of accredited NGOs may be high, the secretariat may recommend NGOs to list their members in the order of priority for registration. Secretariat and the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee would at some point decide, how many badges one NGO-delegation may have to attend the meeting. Seating in the meeting room is on a first-come/first-served basis with overflow into other conference rooms. The NGO-community usually would organize side-events, which take place at the same time as the actual meeting. These events would be open for all NGO-delegates.

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2. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCED/Earth Summit/Rio Summit); 3-14 June 1992, Rio de Janeiro

Summary

Accreditation:
At its first session, the Preparatory Committee decided on the broad-based participation of relevant NGOs. The General Assembly endorsed the decision (A/RES/45/211). At its second session, the Preparatory Committee decided that both the NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC and other NGOs could apply for accreditation. In case of ECOSOC/NGOs, no new information was necessary, as the information they had submitted as part of the consultative status application was deemed to be sufficient. ECOSOC/NGOs could express their interest to participate to the secretariat and become accredited to the process. Applications of the other NGOs needed to include information on their relevance and competence on areas of Conference preparations.

The Secretariat evaluated the applications and recommended lists of NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. In case the secretariat was unable to recommend a NGO for accreditation it had to explain the reasons for its decision. The lists of recommended NGOs were made available at the beginning of each session. The Committee had to take a decision on accreditation within 24 hours after the lists had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation of a recommended NGO, an interim accreditation was to be granted until a decision was taken.

Accreditation was a continuous process during which the Preparatory Committee accredited all together 1378 NGOs by consensus. Only in three cases the secretariat's recommendation for accreditation was not agreed upon.

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/46/168) that all NGOs that had been accredited to the Preparatory Committee were to be invited to the Conference.

Modalities:
At its first session, the Preparatory Committee decided that relevant NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC could make oral statements in the Preparatory Committee. Other relevant NGOs could also make oral statements. The Committee could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested statements was high. Oral statements could be made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Committee or the Working Group. Relevant NGOs were allowed to distribute written statements. These decisions of the Preparatory Committee were endorsed by the General Assembly (RES/45/211).

At its fourth session, the Preparatory Committee decided on the modalities for the conference (Rules of Procedure), according to which the representatives of NGOs were able to attend the Conference as observers. They were able to make oral statements upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. They were also able to distribute written statements.

At the Preparatory Committee meetings, individual NGOs, including NGO networks and caucuses made numerous oral interventions, which were usually represented also in written statement. In addition, there were thousands of reports, as well as position and issue papers in almost all official languages, which were made available by and at the expense of individual NGOs or network. At the Conference, individual NGOs, NGO networks and caucuses made oral statements and provided thousands of written presentations on the whole range of the conference topics. The NGO Forum was organized during the Conference by the host country.

During the preparatory process, civil society and other stakeholders started an International Facilitating Committee to provide non-political organizational support and to assist organizing the Global Forum. Both structures were temporary and closed after the Summit. Agenda 21 and the other Rio agreements emphasized the multi-stakeholder approach and importance of local and grassroots action, as well as the participation of civil society in every stage of decision-making and implementation, which had an impact on the civil society participation throughout the process.

Besides NGOs, the special contribution and participation of representatives of indigenous people and local communities and of national liberation movements was emphasized during the preparatory process.

Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was created in December 1992 as a functional commission of the ECOSOC, to ensure effective follow-up of the Conference. NGOs accredited to the Conference were automatically given the right to accreditation to the Commission.

One of the significant outcomes of the Conference and its preparatory process was the creation of the so called major groups within civil society. The concept of major groups has been used during several other conference processes in the 1990s and within the Commission on Sustainable Development.

Conference secretariat: Ad hoc secretariat at the United Nations Office in Geneva, with a unit in New York and another unit in Nairobi.

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: UNCED Secretariat

2.1 Introduction

The General Assembly requested (A/RES/43/196), in December 1988 the Secretary-General to elaborate the views of the organizations and programmes of the United Nations system and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on the objectives, content and scope of an international conference on environment and development. The Secretary-General was requested to report these views to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council.

The Economic and Social Council decided to convene the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development for the duration of two weeks (ECOSOC 1989/87). The General Assembly affirmed the decision in December 1989 (A/RES/44/228). The GA resolution requested relevant NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to contribute to the Conference:

12. Requests relevant non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to contribute to the Conference, as appropriate (A/RES/44/228).

The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to prepare a report with recommendations on an adequate preparatory process for the organizational session of the Preparatory Committee in March 1990. In his report (A/CONF.151/PC/2), the Secretary-General stressed the importance of effective participation of NGOs:

33. The community of non-governmental organizations has an extensive network and keen interest in a wide range of environmental issues. It can enrich and enhance the deliberations of the Conference and its preparatory process through its contributions and serve as an important channel to disseminate its results, as well as to mobilize public support for strengthened environmental policies at the national and international levels. The Secretary-General therefore considers it important that non-governmental organizations participate effectively in the Conference and its preparatory process. The form and manner of their participation in the preparatory process and in the Conference itself can be determined in the light of the preparatory arrangements to be agreed upon by the Committee. At the national level, the Secretary-General recommends that the guidelines for national contributions provide for the effective involvement of non-governmental organizations. At the intergovernmental level, arrangements for the participation of non-governmental organizations can be worked out in the light of the experience gained.

At the organizational session of the Preparatory Committee, the Secretary-General of the Conference introduced the suggested guidelines for the contribution of relevant NGOs for the Conference (A/CONF.151/PC/CRP.5):

5. The Committee, in considering appropriate arrangements for non-governmental organization participation in the preparatory process and in the light of the provisions of General Assembly resolution 44/228, might wish to take the following into account:

(a) The need to receive and benefit fully from inputs of non-governmental organizations, including business, industries and the scientific community, with specialized capabilities of direct relevance to the Conference mandate. Their contributions will in many cases be particularly relevant to the work of the Preparatory Committee;

(b) The need to facilitate the contributions to the Conference and its preparatory process by environmental/developmental non-governmental organizations and associations, including those from developing countries which, through their outreach programmes, have the capacity to disseminate widely information on the agenda and results of the Conference and foster public interest in its goals;

(c) Consistent with General Assembly resolutions 43/196 and 44/228, the need to provide in the preparatory process for the contribution of citizens-level constituencies;

(d) The possibility of using a variety of forums to facilitate production interaction between the Conference preparatory process and non-governmental organizations, such as national or international briefings, non-governmental organization conferences and national participatory arrangements;

(e) The Preparatory Committee may wish to ask the Secretariat to consult with non-governmental bodies to harness the potential of such organizations to contribute, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 44/228, to the preparatory process and to the Conference. (A/CONF.151/PC/CRP.5)

At its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee decided (A/44/48, section IV) upon a mandate and responsibility for the secretariat to take measures towards participation of NGOs in the preparatory process and the Conference. At the same session, the Committee also decided (A/44/48, decision IV) that the Secretariat should submit to the first session of the Preparatory Committee suggested arrangements for participation of NGOs, including at the Conference itself:

Decides that the Secretariat should submit to the Preparatory Committee at its first session suggested arrangements for the Conference in accordance with the General Assemble resolution 44/228 and, at the later stage, make suggestion regarding the participation of the NGOs at the Conference itself. (A/44/48, decision IV)

At its first session, in August 1990 the Preparatory Committee considered the report of the Secretary-General of the Conference (A/CONF.151/PC/9), which included proposals from NGOs themselves on their participation. The report recommended that NGOs should participate through dialogue events, presentations and disseminating papers:

11. At the global level, non-governmental organizations may contribute to the preparatory process by providing information and counsel on matters of special relevance to the non-governmental community, to the Preparatory Committee, its working groups and the Conference secretariat.

12. It is recommended that non-governmental organizations with consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and others with special competence in the area under consideration be encouraged to contribute through papers and presentations, as appropriate, to the substantive work of the Preparatory Committee and its working groups, and to speak at meeting of them on matters related to their special competence, at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Preparatory Committee or the working groups, as the case may be.

13. The Preparatory Committee might also wish to decide to adopt a procedure by which it and, as appropriate, its working groups, at each future session, would include, at an early stage of the session, an informal dialogue meeting with non-governmental organizations, lasting at least half a day. The preparatory Committee might also wish to recommend that other United Nations agencies, organizations and programmes adopt similar procedure in intergovernmental meetings devoted to preparations for the Conference.

14. In facilitating such participation by non-governmental organizations, the Preparatory Committee and its working groups may wish to take into account the desirability of providing, to the maximum extent possible, that such participation be of a broadly representative character with an appropriate and equitable balance in the representation of various regions and in the orientation and competence of the organizations in respect of environment and development, with particular regard to the need to ensure the full participation of developing country organizations, including grass-roots organizations.

15. The Conference secretariat should encourage and support appropriate actions in addition to the official process which support the Conference and its preparatory process. That may involve providing and disseminating information on preparations for the Conference and its preparations for the Conference, consultations, and supporting efforts by the non-governmental organizations to communicate and co-operate so that they may contribute effectively to the preparatory process. (A/CONF.151/PC/9)

2.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations

At its first session, in August 1990 the Preparatory Committee adopted after informal consultations a draft decision (A/CONF.151/PC/L.8) entitled "Role of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development" (A/45/46, annex I, decision 1/1).

Through the decision, the Preparatory Committee decided on the broad-based participation of NGOs. The Secretary-General was requested to seek and use extra-budgetary resources to enable participation of representatives of relevant NGOs from developing countries, in particular from least developed countries. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly should consider during its next session the participation of NGOs. The Committee also decided that the rules adopted by the Committee would apply without prejudice to any decision that might be taken by the General Assembly at its next session.

1/1. Role of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

1. At its 22nd meeting, on 14 August 1990, the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development agreed that the effective contributions of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process were in its interests.

2. There was agreement on broad-based involvement by relevant non-governmental organizations.

3. The Preparatory Committee's policy should be to encourage an equitable representation of non-governmental organizations from developed and developing countries and from all regions and also to ensure a fair balance between non-governmental organisations with an environment focus and those with a development focus. The Preparatory Committee would encourage the participation of scientific and other organisations. (A/45/46, annex I, decision 1/1; see the paragraph 4 in chapter on modalities)

5. The Committee noted with appreciation the initiative taken by the Secretary-General of the Conference to seek extra-budgetary resources, in addition to the voluntary fund establishment pursuant to General Assembly resolution 44/228 of 22 December 1989, in order to facilitate access in the preparatory process to especially important contributions that would not otherwise be available, particularly through the effective participation of institutions and experts from developing countries in various aspects of the preparatory process. In that context, the Secretary-General was requested to utilize those resources, inter alia, to enable representatives of relevant non-governmental organizations from developing countries, in particular the least developed among them, to participants in the preparatory and the Conference, either independently or as members of official delegations if their countries so decide.

6. The Chairman would, with the assistance of the chairmen of the regional groups, other co-ordinating groups and the Secretariat, propose a procedure for determining non-governmental organizations' competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee.

7. The Preparatory Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it consider at its forty-fifth session the question of the participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process for the Conference taking into account the decision adopted by the Preparatory Committee at its first session.

8. The Preparatory Committee endorsed the proposals made by the Secretary-General of the Conference in his report (A/CONF.151/PC/9) subject to the present decision (A/45/46, annex I, decision 1/1).

The General Assembly took note (A/RES/45/211) in December 1990 of the outcome of the first session of the Preparatory Committee and authorized the Committee to continue to apply the arrangements for the participation of the NGOs in all the sessions of the Preparatory Committee:

13. Takes note of the provisions of Preparatory Committee decision 1/1 of 14 August 1990 and authorizes the Preparatory Committee, without prejudice to the provisions of resolution 44/228, to continue to apply, for the purpose of the preparatory process, the provisional arrangements agreed upon in that decision concerning the participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process (A/RES/45/211).

At the second session of the Preparatory Committee, in March - April 1991, after informal consultations the Chairman proposed a procedure (A/CONF.151/PC/L.27) for the accreditation of NGOs. The proposal was adopted after the general debate. According to the decision, NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and other NGOs could apply for accreditation. In case of ECOSOC/NGOs, no new information was necessary, as the information they had submitted as part of the consultative status application was deemed to be sufficient. Applications of other NGOs needed to include information on their relevance and competence on the areas of Conference preparations.

The Secretariat evaluated the applications and prepared the lists of NGOs, which were recommended to the Preparatory Committee for accreditation. In case the secretariat was unable to recommend a NGO for accreditation it had to explain the reasons for its decision. These lists of recommended NGOs were made available at the beginning of each session. The Committee had to take a decision on accreditation within 24 hours after the lists had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation of a recommended NGO, an interim accreditation was to be granted until a decision was taken. Only in three cases the secretariat's recommendation for accreditation was not agreed upon.

2/1. Procedure for determining non-governmental organizations' competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee

At its 28th meeting, on 18 March 1991, the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Environment decided on the following procedure for determining non-governmental organizations' competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee:

1. Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and others desiring to be accredited for participation in meetings of the Preparatory Committee, in accordance with decision 1/1 of the first session of the Preparatory Committee as endorsed by General Assembly resolution 45/211 of 21 December, may apply to the Conference secretariat for this purpose.

2. All such applications must be accompanied by information on the organization's competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, indicating the particular areas of the Conference preparations which such competence and relevance pertains and which could include, inter alia, the following information:
(a) The purposes of the organization;
(b) Information as to the programmes and activities of the organization in areas relevant to the Conference and its preparatory process, and in which country(ies) they are carried out;
(c) Copies of its annual reports with financial statements, and a listing of governing body members and their country nationality;
(d) In respect of membership organizations, a description of its membership, indicating total numbers and their geographical distribution;
(e) Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council shall be deemed to have satisfied these requirements to the extent that they have already provided such information to the United Nations.

3. In cases where the Conference secretariat believes, on the basis of the information provided in accordance with paragraph 2 above, that the organization has established its competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, it will recommend to the Preparatory Committee that the organization be accredited. In cases where the Conference secretariat does not recommend the granting of accreditation, it will make available to the Preparatory Committee the reasons for not doing so. The Conference secretariat should make its recommendations available to the Preparatory Committee at the start of the session.

4. The Preparatory Committee will decide on all cases within 24 hours of the Conference secretariat's recommendations having been made available to its members. In the event of a decision not being taken within this time-frame, interim accreditations shall be accorded until such time as a decision is taken.

5. A non-governmental organization that has been granted accreditation to attend a session of the Preparatory Committee may attend all future sessions. (A/46/48, annex I, decision 2/1).

At its third session, in August - September 1991, the Preparatory Committee adopted a decision (A/46/48, Vol. II, annex I, decision 3/7) entitled "Indigenous people and local communities", recognizing the important contribution made by organizations of indigenous people and local communities to the preparatory process.

Accreditation of NGOs was a continuous process, where a total number of 1378 NGOs were accredited to the Preparatory Committee:
1st session, 6-31 Aug. 1990: (no accreditations)
2nd session, 18 Mar.-5 Apr. 1991: Accreditation for 190 NGOs was approved (A/CONF.151/PC/L.28 and Add.1; A/46/48, annex I, decision 2/2 A, B, C).
3rd session, 12 Aug.-4 Sept. 1991: Accreditation for 163 NGOs) was approved with the exception of three organizations ((A/CONF.151/PC/L.28/Add. 4-6; A/46/48, Vol. II, annex I, decision 3/1 A, B).
4th session, 2 Mar-3 Apr. 1992: Accreditation for 1061 NGOs was approved (A/CONF.151/PC/128, annex I, decision 4/1).

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/46/168) in December 1991 upon the accreditation for the Conference. The Secretary-General was requested to invite to the Conference all NGOs accredited to the Preparatory Committee:

9. (f) All non-governmental organizations accredited to participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee by the conclusion of its fourth session; those organizations should receive invitations to participate as observers at the Conference (A/RES/46/168).

2.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations

At its first session, the Preparatory Committee decided that relevant NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC could make oral statements in the Preparatory Committee. Other relevant NGOs could also make oral statements. The Committee could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested statements was high. Oral statements could be made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Committee or the Working Group. Relevant NGOs were allowed to distribute written statements. These decisions of the Preparatory Committee were endorsed by the General Assembly (RES/45/211).

4. The Preparatory Committee decides that, only for the purpose of its first session, the following rules would apply without prejudice to any decision that might be taken by the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session:

(a) Non-governmental organizations shall not have any negotiating role in the work of the Preparatory Committee;

(b) Relevant non-governmental organizations may, at their own expense, make written presentations in the preparatory process through the Secretariat in the official languages of the United Nations as they deem appropriate. Those written presentations will not be issued as official documents except in accordance with the United Nations rules of procedure;

(c) Relevant non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council may be given an opportunity to briefly address plenary meetings of the Preparatory Committee and meetings of the Working Groups. Other relevant non-governmental organizations may also ask to speak briefly in such meetings. If the number of such requests is too large, the Preparatory Committee shall request the non-governmental organizations to form themselves into constituencies and each constituency to speak through one spokesman. Any oral intervention by a non-governmental organization would, in accordance with normal United Nations practice, be at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Preparatory Committee or the Working Group, as the case may be. (A/45/46, annex I, decision 1/1)

The General Assembly took note (A/RES/45/211) in December 1990 of the outcome of the first session of the Preparatory Committee and authorized the Committee to continue to apply the arrangements for the participation of NGOs (the same applied for the accreditation process, see above):

13. Takes note of the provisions of Preparatory Committee decision 1/1 of 14 August 1990 and authorizes the Preparatory Committee, without prejudice to the provisions of resolution 44/228, to continue to apply, for the purpose of the preparatory process, the provisional arrangements agreed upon in that decision concerning the participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process (A/RES/45/211).

At its fourth session, in March-April 1992 the Preparatory Committee decided on the modalities for the conference (Rules of Procedure; A/CONF.151/2), according to which the representatives of NGOs were able to attend the Conference as observers. They were able to make oral statements upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. They were also able to distribute written statements:

Representatives of non-governmental organizations (Rule 65):

1. Non-governmental organizations accredited invited to the Conference may designate representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Conference and the Main Committee.
2. Upon the invitation of the presiding officer of the conference body concerned and subject to the approval of that body, such observers may make oral statements on questions in which they have special competence.

Written statements (Rule 66):

Written statements submitted by the designated representatives referred to in rules 60 to 65 shall be distributed by the secretariat to all delegations in the quantities and in the language in which the statements are made available to it at the site of the Conference, provided that a statement submitted on behalf of a non-governmental organization is related to the work of the Conference and is on a subject in which the organization has a special competence.

2.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

ECOSOC 1989/87
A/RES/44/228; A/RES/45/211; A/RES/46/168
Report of the Secretary-General: A/CONF.151/PC/2

Org. session 5 - 16 Mar. 1990, New York: A/44/48
1st session 6 - 31 Aug. 1990, Nairobi: A/45/46 and A/CONF.151/PC/9
2nd session 18 Mar. - 5 Apr. 1991, Geneva: A/46/48, vol. I and A/CONF.151/PC/L.27
3rd session 12 Aug. - 4 Sept. 1991, Geneva: A/46/48, vol. II
4th session 2 Mar.- 3 Apr. 1992, New York: A/CONF.151/PC/128
Rules of Procedure A/CONF.151/2

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3. WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
14-25 June 1993, Vienna

Summary

Accreditation:
The General Assembly decided (A/RES/45/155), that the Preparatory Committee has a mandate concerning the agenda, date, duration and venue for the Conference, including arrangements for participation of various actors. NGOs were requested, among others, to assist the Preparatory Committee and participate in the Conference.

At its first session, the Preparatory Committee adopted a decision by consensus entitled "Participation of human rights experts in the Preparatory Committee and the World Conference". According to the decision, the Preparatory Committee recommended that the General Assembly should encourage human rights experts to participate as observers in the Committee and the Conference. The Committee also decided to recommend convening regional meetings in preparation for the Conference.

At its second session, the Preparatory Committee considered a draft decision concerning the invitation for NGOs to participate in the regional meetings for the Conference. The draft proposal was orally amended, but the Committee did not take action on the matter. At its third session, the Preparatory Committee reconsidered the proposal and decided to invite to the regional preparatory meetings NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, which are active in the field of human rights and/or development. The Committee invited into regional meetings also other NGOs that are active in the field of human rights and/or development and have their headquarters in the concerned region. These other NGOs were accredited in consultation with the countries of the region. The General Assembly approved (A/RES/47/122), the recommendation made by the Preparatory Committee.

In accordance with these decisions, regional meetings were convened for each region in the course of the preparatory process. NGOs accredited to a regional meeting were invited to participate in the Conference. In Europe, there was no regional meeting, but the secretariat evaluated applications and accredited European NGOs to the Conference. The reports of the regional meetings, including regional declarations were part of preparations for the Conference. The Preparatory Committee considered these reports during its sessions.

Modalities:
At its first session, the Preparatory Committee decided that the rules of procedure governing its meetings should be those of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council.

At its third session, the Preparatory Committee adopted the draft Rules of Procedure (A/CONF.157/PC/1/Add.1), which were endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/47/122). According to the Rules of Procedure, representatives of national institutions in the field of human rights could participate the Conference and its Main Committees, and, as appropriate, any other committee or working group as observers. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council could also participate as observers. Other NGOs, which had participated the Preparatory Committee or the regional meetings could also participate as observers. NGOs could distribute written statements.

The World Conference on Human Rights was attended by the representatives of 24 national institutions and 6 Ombudsmen, 11 United Nations human rights and related bodies, 9 other organizations, 248 non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and 593 other non-governmental organizations.

At the Conference, NGOs made joint statements through spokespersons on themes, such as disabled persons, indigenous people, refugees and displaced persons, and torture.

Secretariat for Preparatory Committee: Commission on Human Rights

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: Commission on Human Rights and regional commissions.

3.1 Introduction

The General Assembly requested (A/RES/44/156), in December 1989 the Secretary-General to seek the views of Governments, specialized agencies, NGOs and United Nations bodies concerned with human rights on the desirability of convening a world conference on human rights. The General Assembly decided (A/RES/45/155), in December 1990 to convene at a high level a World Conference on Human Rights. By the same resolution, the GA decided that the Preparatory Committee has a mandate concerning the agenda, date, duration and venue for the Conference, including arrangements for participation of various actors. NGOs were requested, among others, to assist the Preparatory Committee and participate in the Conference:

Noting the expressions of support for the convening of a world conference on human rights from many Governments, specialized agencies and United Nations bodies concerned with human rights and from non-governmental organizations;

3. Also decides that the Preparatory Committee should have the mandate to make proposals for the consideration of the General Assembly regarding the agenda, date, duration, venue of and participation in the Conference, preparatory meetings and activities at the international, regional and national levels, which should take place in 1992, and on desirable studies and other documentation;

10. Requests Governments, the specialized agencies, other international organizations, concerned United Nations bodies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights to assist the Preparatory Committee and to undertake reviews and submit recommendations concerning the Conference and the preparations therefor to the Preparatory Committee through the Secretary-General and to participate actively in the Conference. (A/RES/45/155.)

3.2 Accreditation of civil society

At its first session, in September 1991 the Preparatory Committee adopted a decision by consensus entitled "Participation of human rights experts in the Preparatory Committee and the World Conference". According to the decision, the Preparatory Committee recommended that the General Assembly should encourage human rights experts to participate as observers in the Committee and the Conference itself (A/46/24, annex II, decision PC/6). The Committee also decided to recommend convening regional meetings in preparation for the Conference (A/46/24, annex II, decision PC/4):

PC/6. Participation of human rights experts in the Preparatory Committee and the World Conference:
At its 8th meeting, on 13 September 1991, the Preparatory Committee decided, without a vote, to recommend that the General Assembly encourage the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, the Chairmen or other designated members of human rights bodies including the Chairman of bodies established under international human rights agreements or their designated representatives, as well as special and thematic rapporteurs and the Chairmen or designated members of working groups, to contribute as observers by taking part as appropriate in the work of the Preparatory Committee and the World Conference.

The General Assembly recognized (A/RES/46/116), in December 1991 the contribution of NGOs in the preparatory meetings and again requested NGOs, among others, to assist the Preparatory Committee and participate in the Conference:

Taking note also of the views and recommendations of Governments, specialized agencies, other international organizations, concerned United Nations bodies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights, contained in the report of the Secretary-General;

2. Expresses its appreciation to Governments, bodies and organs of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations for their contributions to the preparatory meetings;

5. Renews its request to Governments, the specialized agencies, other international organizations, concerned United Nations bodies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights to assist the Preparatory Committee and to undertake reviews and submit recommendations concerning the Conference and the preparations therefore to the Preparatory Committee through the Secretary-General and to participate actively in the Conference. (A/RES/46/116)

At its second session, in March-April 1992, the Preparatory Committee considered a draft decision concerning he invitation for NGOs to participate in the regional meetings for the Conference. According to the decision, the Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it request the Secretary-General to invite representatives of national institutions and other entities on the field of human rights, as well as NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. Those NGOs without the consultative status, which had participated the regional meetings were also invited to participate. The draft proposal was orally amended, but the Committee did not take action on the matter.

At its third session, in September 1992, the Preparatory Committee decided to invite to the regional preparatory meetings NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, which are active in the field of human rights and/or development. The Committee invited into regional meetings also other NGOs that are active in the field of human rights and/or development and have their headquarters in the concerned region, in consultation with the countries of the region:

PC.3/2 Participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations at regional meetings:
At its 9th meeting on 18 September 1992, the Preparatory Committee decided, without a vote, to recommend to the General Assembly that it request the Secretary-General to invite the following non-governmental organizations to the regional meetings for the World Conference on Human Rights:
a) Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council which are active in the field of human rights and/or development as well as in the concerned region;
b) Other non-governmental organizations which are active in the field of human rights and/or development, and have their headquarters in the concerned region, in prior consultation with the countries of the region; which designate representatives properly accredited by them to participate as observers in the regional meeting. (A/CONF.157/PC/54, annex II)

The General Assembly approved (A/RES/47/122), in December 1992, the recommendation made by the Preparatory Committee at its third session regarding the participation of NGOs in regional meetings related to the preparatory process:

5. Approves the recommendation made by the Preparatory Committee at its third session regarding the participation of non-governmental organizations in regional meetings related to the preparatory process;

8. Renews its request to Governments, the specialized agencies, other international organizations, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights or development to participate actively in the preparatory process and in the Conference itself. (A/RES/47/122)

In accordance with these decisions, regional meetings were convened for each region in the course of the preparatory process. The regional meeting for Africa was held at Tunis from 2 to 6 November 1992. The regional meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean was held at San José from 18 to 22 January 1993. The regional meeting for Asia was convened at the headquarters of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at Bangkok from 29 March to 2 April. In Europe, there was no regional meeting, but the secretariat evaluated applications and accredited European NGOs to the Conference. The reports of the regional meetings, including regional declarations were part of the preparations for the Conference. The Preparatory Committee considered these reports during its sessions.

3.3 Modalities for participation of civil society

At its first session, in September 1992, the Preparatory Committee decided that the rules of procedure governing its meetings should be those of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council.

At its second session, in March-April 1992, the Preparatory Committee considered a draft rules of procedure for the Conference, but no action was taken. At its third session, in September 1992, the Committee adopted the draft rules of procedure, which were endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/47/122), in December 1992:

2. Expresses its appreciation to Governments, the bodies and organs of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations for their contributions to the preparatory process;

3. Approves the draft rules of procedure for the World Conference on Human Rights, as recommended by the Preparatory Committee at its second and third sessions, with the exception of rule 15 (e).

According to the Rules of Procedure (A/CONF.157/PC/1/Add.1), representatives of national institutions in the field of human rights could participate the Conference and its Main Committees, as well as, as appropriate, any other committee or working group as observers. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council could also participate as observers. Other NGOs, which had participated the Preparatory Committee or the regional meetings could also participate as observers. NGOs could also distribute written statements:

Representatives of national human rights institutions (Rule 64):
Representatives designated by national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights may participate as observers in the deliberations of the Conference, any Main Committee and, as appropriate, any other committee or working group on questions within the scope of their activities.

Representatives of non-governmental organizations (Rule 66):
Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and with competence in the field of human rights, and other non-governmental organizations which participated in the work of the Preparatory Committee (or the regional meetings) may designate representatives properly accredited by them to participate as observers in the Conference, its Main Committees and, as appropriate, any of the committees or working groups, on questions within the scope of their activities.

Written statements (Rule 67):
Written statements submitted by the designated representatives referred to in rules 59 to 66 shall be distributed by the secretariat to all delegations in the quantities and in the language in which the statements are made available to it at the site of the Conference, provided that a statement submitted on behalf of a non-governmental organization is related to the work of the Conference and is on a subject in which the organization has a special competence.

The World Conference on Human Rights was attended by the representatives of 24 national institutions and 6 Ombudsmen, 11 United Nations human rights and related bodies, 9 other organizations, 248 non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and 593 other non-governmental organizations.

At the Conference, NGOs made joint statements through spokespersons on themes, such as disabled persons, indigenous people, refugees and displaced persons, and torture.

3.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

A/RES/44/156; A/RES/45/155; A/RES/46/116; A/RES/47/122

Commission for Human Rights 1990/31

1st session 9-13 Sept. 1991, Geneva: A/46/24
2nd session 30 Mar.-10 Apr. 1992: A/CONF.157/PC/37; A/47/24
3rd session 14-18 Sept. 1992: A/CONF.157/PC/54; A/47/24/Add.1
4th session 19 Apr.-7 May 1993: A/CONF.157/PC/98

Rules of Procedure A/CONF.157/PC/1/Add.1

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4. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(ICPD) 5-13 September 1994, Cairo

Summary

Accreditation:
The General Assembly requested (A/RES/47/176) the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to formulate arrangements for participation of relevant NGOs in the preparatory process and the Conference. The arrangements were requested to follow the practice established for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the experience of previous UN population conferences. In response, the ECOSOC formulated the arrangements simultaneously for accreditation (ECOSOC/1993/4) in the Preparatory Committee and the Conference. The General Assembly endorsed the decision (A/RES/48/186).

NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC were accredited to the Preparatory Committee and the Conference without further screening, after they had expressed their interest to participate to the secretariat. Other NGOs could apply. Their applications needed to include information on their relevance and competence in the population and development issues, as well as their interests in the objectives of the Conference. Applications were first evaluated by the secretariat, which recommended NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. The recommendations had to be available at least one week before each session of the Committee. The secretariat needed to explain to the Committee, in the case of NGOs it was unable to recommend, reasons for rejecting their applications. The Committee had to make its decision on accreditation within 24 hours, after recommendations had been introduced. In case of those NGOs, the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation within this timeframe, recommended NGOs were to be granted an interim accreditation until the decision was taken.

Accreditation was a continuous process, were the Preparatory Committee accredited all together 934 NGOs by consensus.

Modalities:
The General Assembly requested (A/RES/47/176) the Economic and Social Council to formulate arrangements for participation of relevant NGOs in the preparatory process and the Conference, according the practice established for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the experience of previous UN population conferences. In response, the ECOSOC formulated the arrangements simultaneously for modalities (ECOSOC/1993/4) in the Preparatory Committee and in the Conference. The General Assembly endorsed the decision (A/RES/48/186).

Relevant NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC could speak in the Preparatory Committee. Other relevant NGOs could also speak. The Committee could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested statements was high. Oral statements could be made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Committee or the body concerned. Relevant NGOs were allowed to distribute written statements.

At its third session, the Preparatory Committee decided on the modalities for the Conference (Rules of Procedure, A/CONF.171/2). Representatives of NGOs were able to attend the Conference as observers. Otherwise, the modalities at the Conference were the same as those at the Preparatory Committee.

After the Conference, the Population Commission was renamed as the Commission on Population and Development.

Conference Secretariat: The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund was appointed as Secretary-General of the Conference and the Director of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Development as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Conference.

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: UN/DESA and UNFPA

4.1 Introduction

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/47/176) to convene the Conference on Population and Development in December 1992. The resolution endorsed the decision taken by the Economic and Social Council one year earlier (ECOSOC 1989/91).

At its first session, in March 1991, the Preparatory Committee emphasized the role of NGOs:

8. Requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to make use of the substantive contribution of all organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system concerned, as well as of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in the preparatory activities for the Conference. (E/1991/47)

At the same meeting, the Committee also considered the draft provisional Rules of Procedure (E/CONF.84/PC/2), but decided to defer its consideration to a subsequent session (E/1991/47, chapter II).

The General Assembly recognized (A/RES/47/176), in December 1992 the importance of the participation of relevant NGOs:

12. Recognizes the importance of the participation in the Conference and its preparatory process of all relevant non-governmental organizations from developed and developing countries. (A/RES/47/176)

The same resolution also requested the Economic and Social Council to formulate and adopt modalities for participation of relevant NGOs. The arrangements for the participation of NGOs were requested to follow the procedures established for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and experience of previous UN population conferences:

13. Requests the Economic and Social Council, at its organizational session for 1993, to formulate and adopt modalities to ensure the participation in and contribution to the Conference and its preparatory process of relevant non-governmental organizations, in particular those from developing countries, taking into account the procedures followed in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development process and the experience gained in this regard during previous United Nations population conferences. (A/RES/47/176)

4.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations

At the request of the General Assembly (A/RES/47/176), the Economic and Social Council formulated arrangements for accreditation of relevant NGOs (ECOSOC 1993/4). NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC, who would express their interest to participate, would be accredited to the Preparatory Committee without further screening.

Other NGOs could apply by sending an application to the conference secretariat. These applications needed to include information on their relevance and competence in the population and development issues, as well as their interests in the objectives of the Conference. Applications were first to be evaluated by the secretariat, which would recommend NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. The secretariat needed to explain to the Committee, in the case of a NGO it was unable to recommend, reasons for rejecting their applications. The recommendations had to be made available at least one week before each session of the Committee. The Committee had to make its decision on accreditation within 24 hours, after recommendations had been introduced. In case of those NGOs, whose accreditation the Committee was unable to decide upon within the 24-hour timeframe, recommended NGOs was to be granted an interim accreditation until the decision was taken:

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/176 of 22 December 1992, in which, inter alia, the Assembly recognized the importance of ensuring an adequate intergovernmental preparatory process for the Conference, as well as the importance of the participation in the Conference and its preparatory process of all relevant non-governmental organizations from developed and developing countries:

4. Adopts the modalities for the participation in and contribution to the Conference and its preparatory process of non-governmental organizations, as set out in the annex to the present resolution;

6. Recognizes the importance of non-governmental participation in the preparatory process and the Conference itself and encourages all support to enable representatives of non-governmental organizations from developing countries to participate fully.

Annex: Participation of Non-governmental organizations in the International Conference on Population and Development and its Preparatory Process

1. Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council which express their wish to attend the Conference and its Preparatory Committee meetings shall be accredited for participation. Others wishing to be accredited may apply to the Conference secretariat for this purpose in accordance with the requirements of the present resolution.

2. The secretariat of the International Conference on Population and Development shall be responsible for the receipt and preliminary evaluation, in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, of requests from non-governmental organizations for accreditation to the Conference and its preparatory process.

3. All such applications must be accompanied by information on the organization's competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, indicating the particular areas of the Conference preparations to which such competence and relevance pertain, and should include, inter alia, the following:
(a) The purposes of the organization;
(b) Information on its programmes and activities in areas relevant to the Conference and its preparatory process and in which country(ies) they are carried out;
(c) Confirmation of its activities at the national and/or international level;
(d) Copies of its annual reports with financial statements, and a list of members of the governing body and their country of nationality;
(e) A description of its membership, indicating the total number of members and their geographical distribution.

4. In the evaluation of the relevance of non-governmental applications for accreditation to the Conference and its preparatory process, it is agreed that their background and involvement in population issues or population and development issues, including those mentioned in paragraph 4 of Council resolution 1991/93, will determine their relevance.

5. Non-governmental organizations seeking accreditation shall be asked to confirm their interest in the goals and objectives of the Conference.

6. In cases where the Conference secretariat believes, on the basis of the information provided in accordance with the present resolution, that the organization has established its competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, it will recommend to the Preparatory Committee that the organization be accredited. In cases where the Conference secretariat does not recommend the granting of accreditation, it will make available to the Preparatory Committee its reasons for not doing so. The Conference secretariat should ensure that its recommendations are available to members of the Preparatory Committee at least one week prior to the start of each session.

7. The Preparatory Committee will decide on all proposals for accreditation within twenty-four hours of the Conference secretariat's recommendations having been taken up by the Preparatory Committee in plenary meeting. In the event of a decision not being taken within this period, interim accreditation shall be accorded until such time as a decision is taken. (ECOSOC/1993/4, see the rest of the annex on the chapter on modalities)

The General Assembly reaffirmed (A/RES/48/186), in December 1993 the guidelines for participation of NGOs, which had been formulated and adopted by the ECOSOC (ECOSOC/1993/4):

8. Reaffirms the importance of the participation in and contribution to the preparatory process and the Conference itself of non-governmental organizations, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/4. (A/RES/48/186)

Accreditation of NGOs was a continuous process. A total number of 934 non-governmental organizations were accredited by the Conference:
1st session, 4-8 Mar. 1991: (no accreditation)
2nd session, 10-21 May 1993: Accreditation for 336 non-governmental organizations /E/CONF.84/PC/10 and Add. 1 - 3) was approved (E/1993/69, chapter I, section C, decision 2/1).
3rd session, 4-22 Apr. 1994: Accreditation for 598 non-governmental organizations /A/CONF.171/PC/6 and Add. 1 - 5) was approved (A/CONF.171/PC/9, annex I, decision 3/1).

4.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations

At its first session, in March 1991, the Preparatory Committee emphasized the substantive contribution of NGOs to the preparatory process:

8. Requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to make use of the substantive contribution of all organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system concerned, as well as of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in the preparatory activities for the Conference. (E/1991/47)

At the same meeting, the Committee also considered a draft provisional rules of procedure. During the debate some delegations suggested that the status of NGOs should be revised in order to increase their role in the preparatory process and the event itself. The Commission decided to defer consideration of the draft to a subsequent session. (E/1991/47, section II.)

The General Assembly requested (A/RES/47/176), in December 1992 the ECOSOC to formulate and adopt modalities for participation of relevant NGOs:

13. Requests the Economic and Social Council, at its organizational session for 1993, to formulate and adopt modalities to ensure the participation in and contribution to the Conference and its preparatory process of relevant non-governmental organizations, in particular those from developing countries, taking into account the procedures followed in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development process and the experience gained in this regard during previous United Nations population conferences. (A/RES/47/176)

Following the request by the General Assembly, the ECOSOC adopted in February 1992 (ECOSOC/1993/4) the modalities for the participation of NGOs. According to a decision, relevant NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC were able make oral statements at the Preparatory Committee. Also other relevant NGOs could speak. The Committee could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested speakers was high. Oral statements were made at the discretion of the Chairman and at the approval of the Committee:

8. A non-governmental organization that has been granted accreditation to attend a session of the Preparatory Committee may attend all its future sessions.

9. In recognition of the intergovernmental nature of the International Conference on Population and Development, non-governmental organizations shall have no negotiating role in the work of the Conference and its preparatory process.

10. Relevant non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council may be given an opportunity to briefly address the Preparatory Committee in plenary meeting and its subsidiary bodies. Other relevant non-governmental organizations may also ask to speak briefly at such meetings. If the number of requests is too large, the Preparatory Committee shall request the non-governmental organizations to form themselves into constituencies, each constituency to speak through one spokesperson. Any oral intervention by a non-governmental organization should, in accordance with normal United Nations practice, be made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Preparatory Committee.
11. Relevant non-governmental organizations may, at their own expense, make written presentations during the preparatory process in the official languages of the United Nations as they deem appropriate. Those written presentations will not be issued as official documents except in accordance with United Nations rules of procedure. (ECOSOC/1993/4, Annex)

The General Assembly reaffirmed (A/RES/48/186), in December 1993 the guidelines for participation of NGOs, which had been formulated and adopted by the ECOSOC (ECOSOC/1993/4):

8. Reaffirms the importance of the participation in and contribution to the preparatory process and the Conference itself of non-governmental organizations, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/4. (A/RES/48/186)

At the third session, in April 1994 the Preparatory Committee approved a provisional rules of procedure (A/CONF.171/PC/9, annex I, decision 3/2), which were finally adopted by the Conference (A/CONF.171/2). Representatives of NGOs were able to attend the Conference as observers. Otherwise, the modalities at the Conference were the same as at the Preparatory Committee:

Representatives of non-governmental organizations (Rule 65):
1. Non-governmental organizations accredited to participate in the Conference may designate representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Conference and the Main Committee.
2. Upon the invitation of the presiding officer of the conference body concerned and subject to the approval of that body, such observers may make oral statements on questions in which they have special competence. If the number of requests to speak is too large, the non-governmental organizations shall be requested to form themselves into constituencies, such constituencies to speak through spokespersons.

Written statements (Rule 66):
Written statements submitted by the designated representatives referred to in rules 59 to 65 shall be distributed by the secretariat to all delegations in the quantities and in the language in which the statements are made available to it at the site of the Conference, provided that a statement submitted on behalf of a non-governmental organization is related to the work of the Conference and is on a subject in which the organization has a special competence. Written statements shall not be made at United Nations expense and shall not be issued as official documents.

4.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

ECOSOC 1989/91; ECOSOC 1991/93; ECOSOC 1992/37; ECOSOC 1993/76; ECOSOC 1993/4

A/RES/47/176; A/RES/48/186

1st session 4-8 Mar. 1991, New York: E/1991/47 + Add.1
2nd session 10-21 May 1993, New York: E/1993/69
3rd session 4-22 Apr. 1994, New York: A/CONF.171/PC/9

Rules of Procedure A/CONF.171/2

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5. WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
6 - 12 March 1995, Copenhagen

Summary

Accreditation:
The General Assembly requested (A/RES/47/92) the NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC to participate in the Summits and its preparatory process. At its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee decided upon the accreditation process for NGOs at the preparatory process and the Summit itself. ECOSOC/NGOs were invited to participate in the Preparatory Committee and the Summit without further screening, by expressing their interest to the secretariat. Other NGOs were able to apply. Their applications needed to include information on their relevance and competence in social development issues, as well as their interest in targets of the Summit. Applications were evaluated by the secretariat, which recommended NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. The secretariat needed to explain to the Committee, in the case of NGOs it was unable to recommend, reasons for rejecting their applications. The recommendations had to be available at least one week before each session of the Committee. The Committee had to take its decision on accreditation within 24 hours, after recommendations had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation within this timeframe, recommended NGOs were to be granted an interim accreditation until the decision was taken.

Accreditation was a continuous process, where all together 1138 NGOs were accredited by consensus. The secretariat postponed the final date for applications once during the process. Only once the secretariat's positive recommendation was not agreed upon.

The NGOs, which were accredited to the Preparatory Committee, were automatically invited to the Summit.

Modalities:
At its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee decided on the modalities for participation of NGOs in the preparatory meetings. The relevant ECOSOC/NGOs were able to address the Committee. The other NGOs were also able to speak at the Committee meetings. The Committee could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested speakers was high. Oral statements were made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Committee. Relevant NGOs could distribute written statements.

At its second session, the Preparatory Committee took a decision on the modalities for the Summit (Rules of Procedure, A/CONF.166/2), according to which the representatives of NGOs were able to attend the Summit as observers. They could make oral statements upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. In the field of their special competence, they could also distribute written statements, which were related to the Summit.

At the Summit, during the general debate 29 NGOs and NGO coalitions made oral statements. NGO Forum was organized by the Host country. The outcome of the Forum was not part of the final report of the Summit.

Summit secretariat: Ad hoc secretariat consisting of relevant personnel from the UN secretariat and agencies was constituted within the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development at the UN Secretariat in New York.

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: UN/DESA and Division for Social Policy and Development

5.1 Introduction

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/47/92), in December 1992 to convene the Social Summit. The GA called by the same resolution the NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC to participate in the Summit and its preparatory process:

17. Requests the non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to contribute in accordance with established practice to the Summit and the preparatory process, as appropriate. (A/RES/47/92)

5.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations

At its organizational session in April 1993, the Preparatory Committee adopted a decision on accreditation for NGOs at the preparatory process and the Summit itself. According to the decision, ECOSOC/NGOs needed to indicate their interest to participate in order to become accredited. They did not need to apply or send any further information to the Preparatory Committee. Other NGOs could apply for accreditation. Their applications needed to include information, which proved their competence and relevance in social development issues, as well as their interest in the objectives of the Summit. Their applications were evaluated by the Secretariat and recommended to the Preparatory Committee:

ANNEX II: Decisions adopted by the Preparatory Committee at its organizational session
2. Non-governmental organizations
At its 5th meeting, on 16 April 1993, the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit for Social Development:

(a) Adopted the modalities for participation in and contribution to the World Summit for Social Development and its preparatory process of non-governmental organizations, as set forth in the annex to the present decision;
(b) Recognized the importance of the participation of non-governmental organizations in the preparatory process and in the Summit itself, and requested all possible aid to ensure full participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations from developing countries.

Annex: Participation of non-governmental organizations in the World Summit for Social Development and its preparatory process
Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council that express the wish to attend the World Summit for Social Development and the meetings of its Preparatory Committee will be accredited for participation. Others wishing to be accredited may apply to the Summit secretariat for this purpose in accordance with the following requirements:

(a)The secretariat of the World Summit for Social Development will be responsible for the receipt and preliminary evaluation, in accordance with the provisions given below of requests from non-governmental organizations for accreditation to the Summit and its preparatory process;

(b) All such applications must be accompanied by information on the competence of the organizations and on its relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, indicating the particular areas of the Summit preparations to which such competence and relevance pertain, and should include, inter alia, the following:
(i) Purposes of the organization;
(ii) Information on its programmes and activities in areas relevant to the Summit and its preparatory process and on the country or countries in which those programmes and activities are carried out;
(iii) Confirmation of its activities at the national and/or the international level;
(iv) Copies of its annual reports with financial statements, and a list of members of the governing body and their country of nationality;
(v) A description of its membership, indicating the total number of members and their geographical distribution;

c) In the evaluation of the relevance of non-governmental organizations applying for accreditation to the Summit and its preparatory process, it is agreed that the background of those organizations and their involvement in social development issues, including core issues as defined in paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 47/92 of 16 December 1992, will determine such relevance;

(d) Non-governmental organizations seeking accreditation will be asked to confirm their interest in the goals and objectives of the Summit;

(e) In cases where the Summit secretariat believes, on the basis of the information provided in accordance with the present document, that an organization has established its competence and relevance to the work of the Preparatory Committee, it will recommend to the Preparatory Committee that the organization be accredited. In cases where the Summit secretariat does not recommend the granting of accreditation, it will make available to the Preparatory Committee its reasons for so acting. The Summit secretariat should ensure that its recommendations are available to members of the Preparatory Committee at least one week prior to the start of each session;

(f) The Preparatory Committee will decide on all proposals for accreditation within 24 hours of the Summit secretariat's recommendations' having been taken up by the Preparatory Committee in plenary meeting. Should a decision not be taken within that period, interim accreditation will be accorded until such time as a decision is taken.

(g) A non-governmental organization that has been granted accreditation to attend one session of the Preparatory Committee may attend all future sessions, as well as the Summit itself. (A/48/24, annex II, decision 2, see the rest in the chapter on modalities).

At its organizational session, in April 1993, the Preparatory Committee also decided to take special measures to facilitate the participation of non-governmental organizations from developing countries in the Summit and its preparatory process (A/48/24, annex II, decision 4).

The secretariat evaluated the applications and recommended NGOs for accreditation with relevant information on their competence in the field of social development. A total number of 1,132 non-governmental organizations were accredited by the Preparatory Committee (A/CONF.166/4).

First session, Jan. - Feb. 1994: Accreditation for 76 non-governmental organizations was approved (A/CONF.166/PC/11; A/49/24, annex III, decision 1/1).
Second session, Aug. - Sept. 1994: Accreditation for 282 non-governmental organizations was approved (A/CONF.166/PC/11/Add.1; A/49/24/Add. 1, annex I, decision 2/1).
Third session, Jan. 1995: The Summit secretariat decided to postpone the original deadline for submission of applications from non-governmental organizations from 15 December 1994 to 31 January 1995. Accreditation for 608 non-governmental organizations and for another 167 non-governmental organizations was approved with an exception of one organization (A/CONF.166/PC/11/Add.2; A/CONF.166/PC/11/Add.3; A/CONF.166/PC/28, annex 1, decision 3/1).

5.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations

At its organizational session, in April 1993, the Preparatory Committee decided upon the modalities for the meetings of the Preparatory Committee. The relevant ECOSOC/NGOs could address the Preparatory Committee. Other relevant NGOs could also speak at the Preparatory Committee. The Committee could request the NGOs to select spokespersons, if a number of requested speakers was high. The oral interventions were made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Preparatory Committee. Relevant NGOs were also able to distribute written presentations in the meetings of the Preparatory Committee:

(h) In recognition of the intergovernmental nature of the World Summit for Social Development, non-governmental organizations will have no negotiating role in the work of the Summit and its preparatory process;

(i) Relevant non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council may be given an opportunity to briefly address the Preparatory Committee in plenary meeting and its subsidiary bodies. Other relevant non-governmental organizations may also ask to speak briefly at such meetings. If the number of requests is too large, the Preparatory Committee will request that the non-governmental organizations form themselves into constituencies, with each constituency speaking through one spokesperson. Any oral intervention by a non-governmental organization should, in accordance with normal United Nations practice, be made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Preparatory Committee;

(j) Relevant non-governmental organizations may, at their own expense, make written presentations in the official languages of the United Nations during the preparatory process, as they deem appropriate. Those written presentations will not be issued as official documents unless they are in accordance with United Nations rules of procedure. (A/48/24, annex II, decision 2)

The General Assembly called again (A/RES/48/100), in December 1993 upon the NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations and those accredited to the Summit and its preparatory process to contribute fully to the work of the Preparatory Committee and to the Summit:

Considering also the contributions of non-governmental organizations;
9. Calls upon the non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the United Nations and those accredited to the Summit and its preparatory process to contribute fully to the work of the Preparatory Committee and to the Summit. (A/RES/48/100)

At its second session, in August-September 1994 the Preparatory Committee, took a draft decision on the provisional Rules of Procedure for the Summit, which were recommended to the Summit for adoption. The Summit adopted them as a document A/CONF.166/2, According to the decision, representatives of accredited NGOs were able to attend meetings as observers. They could make oral statements upon the invitation by the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. The NGOs could also be requested to speak through spokespersons. The NGOs could distribute written statements, which were related to the Summit and reflected their special competence:

Representatives of non-governmental organizations (Rule 62):
1. Non-governmental organizations accredited to participate in the Summit may designate representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Summit and the main committee.
2. Upon the invitation of the presiding officer of the body concerned and subject to the approval of that body, such observers may make oral statements on questions in which they have special competence. If the number of requests to speak is too large, the non-governmental organizations shall be requested to form themselves into constituencies, such constituencies to speak through spokespersons.

Written statements (Rule 63):
Written statements submitted by the designated representatives referred to in rules 57 to 62 shall be distributed by the secretariat to all delegations in the quantities and in the language in which the statements are made available to it at the site of the Summit, provided that a statement submitted on behalf of a non-governmental organization is related to the work of the Summit and is on a subject in which the organization has a special competence. Written statements shall not be issued at United Nations expense and shall not be issued as official documents. (A/CONF.166/2)

5.4 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

A/RES/47/92; A/RES/48/100

Org. session 12 - 16 Apr. 1993, New York: A/48/24
1st session 31 Jan. - 11 Feb. 1994, New York: A/49/24
2nd session 22 Aug. - 2 Sept. 1994, New York: A/49/24/Add.1
3rd session 16 - 27 Jan. 1995, New York: A/CONF.166/PC/28

Rules of Procedure A/CONF.166/2

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6. GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
25 April - 6 May 1994, Barbados

Summary

Accreditation:
The General Assembly decided (A/RES/47/189) to invite relevant NGOs, particular those from small island developing States and those related to major groups to participate in the preparatory process and the Conference, in accordance with the procedures established for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The GA also decided to invite to the Conference those NGOs, which were accredited to the Preparatory Committee.

Along with the UNCED practice, the NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC and other NGOs were able to apply for accreditation. In the case of ECOSOC/NGOs, no new information was necessary, as the information they had submitted already as part of their consultative status application was deemed to be sufficient. The ECOSOC/NGOs could express their interest to participate to the secretariat. Applications of other NGOs needed to include information on their relevance and competence on the areas of Conference preparations. The secretariat evaluated applications and prepared the lists of NGOs, which were recommended to the Preparatory Committee for accreditation. In case the secretariat did not recommend a NGO for accreditation it had to explain the reasons for its decision. These lists of NGOs needed to be available at the beginning of each session. The Committee had to take a decision upon accreditation within 24 hours after the lists of recommendation had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide upon accreditation of the recommended NGOs, an interim accreditation was granted until a decision was taken.

At its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee affirmed the guidelines for accreditation in the line with the General Assembly resolution 47/189. The decision of the Preparatory Committee was once again endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/48/193).

Accreditation was a continuous process during which the Preparatory Committee accredited all together 89 NGOs by consensus.

Modalities:
At its organizational session, the Preparatory Committee decided on the modalities for the Conference (Rules of Procedure, A/CONF.167/2). The decision was endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/48/193) and finally adopted by the Conference. According to the decision, representatives of NGOs could make oral statements at the Conference and the Main Committee upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. Representatives of NGOs were allowed to distribute written statements on the issues, which were related to the Conference and in the field of their special competence.

Conference Secretariat: Commission on Sustainable Development.

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: UN/DESA.

5.1 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/47/189), in December 1992 to convene the Conference. The General Assembly invited relevant NGOs, in particular those from small developing States and those related to major groups to participate. It was decided that the accreditation procedure should follow the practice established at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED):

18. Invites relevant non-governmental organizations from developed and developing countries, in particular those from small island developing States, including those related to major groups, to contribute to the Conference, within the areas of their competence and expertise, on the basis of the procedures for their accreditation followed for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, as recommended in paragraph 38.44 of Agenda. (A/RES/47/189)

The General Assembly requested by the same resolution the Secretary-General to invite to the Conference all NGOs accredited to the preparatory process. The Secretary-General was also requested to prepare a report to the organizational session of the Preparatory Committee containing recommendations on an adequate preparatory process. These recommendations needed to take into account the provisions of the resolution 47/189 and the views expressed by Governments during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

At its organizational session, in April 1993 the Preparatory Committee considered the report of the Secretary-General (A/CONF.167/PC/2). The report stressed the importance of NGOs in the preparatory process and the Conference:

22. As with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the community of non-governmental organizations clearly has a major contribution to make to the deliberations of the Conference and its preparatory process and is expected to serve once again as an important channel for disseminating the results of the Conference, as well as for mobilizing public support for strengthened policies at the national and international levels.

Against this background, the Preparatory Committee decided to invite NGOs to participate in the preparatory process and the Conference itself. The draft proposal was made by the representative of Canada and amended by the representative of China by inserting the words "including major groups":

At its 3rd meeting, on 16 April 1993, the Preparatory Committee for the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States decided to invite non-governmental organizations, including major groups, to contribute actively to the Conference and its preparatory process in accordance with the procedures followed for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. (A/48/36, section VI, decision 4)

The decision was endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/48/193) in December 1992:

6. Endorses Preparatory Committee decisions 1 and 4 concerning the participation of associate members of regional commissions and of non-governmental organizations, including major groups, in the Conference and its preparatory process. (A/RES/48/193)

Accreditation was a continuous process, where all together 89 NGOs were accredited by the Preparatory Committee.

First session, 30 Aug.-10 Sept. 1993: Accreditation for 68 NGOs was approved (A/CONF.167/PC/L.4; A/48/36, part two, section VIII, decision 9).
First session, resumed, 7-11 Mar. 1994: Accreditation for 21 NGOs was approved (A/CONF.167/PC/L.4/Add.1; A/48/ 36/Add.2, decision 21).

6.2 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations

The General Assembly requested (A/RES/47/189), in December 1992 the Secretary-General to provide a draft rules of procedure for the consideration of the organizational session of the Preparatory Committee. At its organizational session, in April 1993 the Preparatory Committee approved a provisional rules of procedures on modalities for participation of NGOs. The decision was endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/48/193) and finally adopted by the Conference (A/CONF.167/2).

The Committee decided that representatives of NGOs could participate the Conference as observers. They could make oral statements upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. They could also distribute written statements on the issues related to the Conference and in the area of their special competence:

Representatives of non-governmental organizations (Rule 67):
1. Non-governmental organizations invited to the Conference may designate representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Conference and the Main Committee.
2. Upon the invitation of the presiding officer of the conference body concerned and subject to the approval of that body, such observers may make oral statements on questions in which they have special competence.

Written statements (Rule 68):
Written statements submitted by the designated representatives referred to in rules 60 to 66 shall be distributed by the secretariat to all delegations in the quantities and in the language in which the statements are made available to it at the site of the Conference, provided that a statement submitted on behalf of a non-governmental organization is related to the work of the Conference and is on a subject in which the organization has a special competence.

6.3 Documents and Preparatory Committee meetings

A/RES/47/176; A/RES/48/186

Org. session 15-16 Apr. 1993, New York: A/48/36; A/CONF.167/PC/2
1st session 30 Aug.-10 Sept. 1993, New York: A/48/36
Resumed 1st session 7-11 Mar. 1994, New York: A/48/36/Add.1

Rules of procedure A/CONF.167/2

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7. THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN:
ACTION FOR EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
4 - 15 September 1995, Beijing

Summary

Accreditation:
In March 1992, the Commission on Status on Women, acting as the preparatory body for the Conference adopted a decision 36/8, where the Commission made recommendations regarding participation in the Conference. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council were invited to participate.

In May 1993, the Commission considered the accreditation for NGOs not in consultative status. In resolution 37/7, the Commission urged a series of steps to permit non-governmental organizations not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to participate in the Conference. Many Member States stressed the importance of NGOs and referred to the precedents set by the other conference. The importance of the need for close proximity between the NGO Forum and the Conference, as well as the hope that many women's organizations would participate in the Forum, was expressed by a few representatives.

The General Assembly decided (A/RES/48/108) upon the guidelines for accreditation and modalities for participation of NGOs to the Fourth Conference on Women and its preparatory process. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council were invited to express their interest to participate and become accredited to the process. Other NGOs were able to apply. Their applications needed to include information on their competence and relevance on gender issues, as well as their interest on the objectives of the Conference. The secretariat evaluated the applications and recommended NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. The Committee had to take a decision on accreditation within 24 hours after the lists of recommended NGOs had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation within this timeframe, an interim accreditation was granted until the decision was taken.

Modalities:
The General Assembly decided (A/RES/48/108), in December 1993 on the modalities for participation of NGOs in the preparatory process. Relevant ECOSOC/NGOs could make oral statements in the Commission acting as a preparatory body. Other relevant NGOs could also speak. The Commission could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if a number of requested speakers was high. All oral statements were made at the discretion of the Chairman and with the consent of the Commission. Relevant NGOs could also distribute written presentations.

In 1995, the Commission on the Status on Women approved at its thirty-ninth session, as the preparatory body for the Conference a draft Rules of Procedure, which were endorsed by the General Assembly (A/RES/49/482) and finally adopted by the Conference (A/CONF.177/2). According to the decision, representatives of NGOs were able to participate the Conference as observers. They were able to speak upon the invitation of the presiding officer and at the approval of the body concerned. The Conference could request the NGOs to speak through spokespersons, if the number of requested speakers was high. The representatives of NGOs were able to distribute written statements.

At the plenary of the Conference, 51 statements were made by individual NGOs and NGO coalitions. Non-governmental organizations did not address the Main Committee. NGO Forum was organized by the International Steering Committee. The outcome of the Forum was not part of the Final Report.

Preparatory Committee: The Commission on the Status of Women

Secretariat for NGO arrangements: UN/DESA/DAW

6.1 Introduction

The General Assembly endorsed (A/RES/45/129; A/RES/46/98) the Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/12, in which the Council recommended convening a world conference on women and requested the Commission on the Status of Women to act as the preparatory body for the conference.

6.2 Accreditation of non-governmental organizations

In March 1992, the Commission on Status on Women, acting as the preparatory body for the Conference adopted a decision 36/8, entitled "Preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace" (E/CN.6/1992/13). The Commission made recommendations regarding participation in the Conference, the preparatory process of the Conference at the national and regional levels, as well as for the non-governmental organizations forum. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council were invited to participate:

(f) Interested non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, to be represented by observers at the Conference;

3. Requests the Economic and Social Council to request the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations to consider on a priority basis, in advance of the Conference, the granting of consultative status to more non-governmental organizations concerned with the advancement of women, with particular attention being given to applications from non-governmental organizations from developing countries, and also requests that the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations be provided with additional resources to deal with the additional workload;

4. Recommends that the arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations, as approved by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1296/(XLIV) of 23/May/1968, be reviewed to make consultative status more accessible to non-governmental organizations, particularly those from developing countries.

In May 1993, the Commission considered the accreditation for NGOs not in consultative status. In resolution 37/7, the Commission urged a series of steps to permit non-governmental organizations not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to participate in the Conference. Many Member States stressed the importance of NGOs and referred to the precedents set by the other conference. The importance of the need for close proximity between the NGO Forum and the Conference, as well as the hope that many women's organizations would participate in the Forum, was expressed by a few representatives:

Bearing in mind the important role of non-governmental organizations in all activities for the advancement of women and the fact that some of them, specially those from developing countries, do not enjoy consultative status with the Economic and Social Council:

1. Invites Governments to include, whenever possible, non-governmental organizations in their delegations;

3. Also requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to obtain from the regional commissions a list of those non-governmental organizations not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council which were determined to be eligible, which will be submitted to the Commission at its thirty-ninth session so that the Commission may make the list of those to be invited to the World Conference, bearing in mind that for the proper functioning of the Conference and the efficient participation of non-governmental organizations themselves, their number should not be excessive and that the list should have a regional balance; attention will be given to the existing resources and facilities available in the host country;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to submit to the Commission at its thirty-ninth session a proposal for criteria to be used by the Commission in drawing up the final list.

In October 1993, the conference secretariat conducted a two-day informal workshop on information and communication strategy for the Conference. More than 100 organizations from all over the world participated the workshop. At the meeting, NGOs emphasized that global participation of the preparatory process should be extended to as many groups and organizations as possible.

The General Assembly emphasized (A/RES/48/108), in December 1993 the fact that several NGOs from developing countries do not enjoy consultative status with the Economic and Social Council:

Bearing in mind the important role non-governmental organizations play in all activities for the advancement of women and the fact that some of them, especially those from developing countries, do not enjoy consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. (A/RES/48/108)

Therefore, the General Assembly adopted the guidelines for accreditation and modalities for participation of NGOs to the Conference and its preparatory process. The resolution emphasized particularly the participation of NGOs from the developing countries. The NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council were invited to express their interest to participate and become accredited to the process. Other NGOs were able to apply. Their applications needed to include information on their competence and relevance on gender issues, as well as their interest on the objectives of the Conference. The secretariat was to evaluate the applications and recommend NGOs for accreditation to the Preparatory Committee. The Committee had to take a decision on accreditation within 24 hours after the lists of recommended NGOs had been introduced. In case the Committee was unable to decide on accreditation within this timeframe, an interim accreditation was granted until the decision was taken.

30. Decides, taking into account Commission on the Status of Women resolution 37/7 of 25 March 1993, to adopt the modalities for the participation in and contribution to the Fourth World Conference on Women and its preparatory process by the non-governmental organizations, particularly those from the developing countries, set out in the annex to the present resolution. (A/RES/48/108)

ANNEX: Participation of non-governmental organizations in the Fourth World Conference on Women and its preparatory body:

Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council that express the wish to attend the Conference and the meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women, acting as its preparatory body, will be accredited for participation. Others wishing to be accredited may apply to the Conference secretariat for that purpose in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) The secretariat of the Fourth World Conference on Women will be responsible for the receipt and preliminary evaluation, in accordance with the provisions set out below, of requests from non-governmental organizations for accreditation to the Conference and the Commission on the Status of Women acting as preparatory body;

(b) All such applications must be accompanied by information on the competence of the organization and on its relevance to the work of the preparatory body, indicating the particular areas of the preparations for the Conference to which such competence and relevance pertain, and should include the following:
(i) The purposes of the organization;
(ii) Information on its programmes and activities in areas relevant to the Conference and on the country or countries in which those programmes and activities are carried out;
(iii) Confirmation of its activities at the national and/or the international level;
(iv) Copies of its annual reports, with financial statements and a list of members of the governing body and their country of nationality;
(v) A description of its membership, indicating the total number of members of the governing body and their country of nationality;

(c) Non-governmental organizations seeking accreditation will be asked to confirm their interest in the goals and objectives of the Conference;

(d) In cases where the Conference secretariat believes, on the basis of the information provided in accordance with the present document, that an organization has established its competence and relevance to the work of the Commission on the Status of Women acting as preparatory body, it will recommend to the Commission that the organization be accredited. In cases where the Conference secretariat does not recommend the granting of accreditation, it will make such information available to members of the Commission at least one week prior to the start of each session;

(e) The Commission on the Status of Women will decide on all proposals for accreditation within twenty-four hours of the recommendations of the Conference secretariat having been taken up by the Commission in plenary session. Should a decision not be taken within that period, interim accreditation will be accorded until such time as a decision is taken. (A/RES/48/108, Annex)

In March 1995, at its thirty-ninth session, the Commission on the Status of Women, acting as the preparatory body for the Fourth World Conference on Women, recommended a draft resolution on accreditation of non-governmental organizations to the Conference for adoption by the General Assembly and recommended the provisional rules of procedure of the Conference, as amended, for approval by the General Assembly (see chap. II). The Commission recommended the provisional agenda and proposed organization of