Reference document
on the participation of civil society
in United Nations conferences and special sessions of the General Assembly
during the 1990s
Version 1 August 2001
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. GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
25 April - 6 May, 1994, Barbados
4.1 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
4.2 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
4.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
5. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(ICPD); 5 - 13 September 1994, Cairo
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. WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
6 - 12 March 1995, Copenhagen
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
6.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
6.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
7. 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. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE OVERALL
REVIEW
AND APPRAISAL OF THE AGENDA 21
(EARTH SUMMIT + 5); 23 - 27 June 1997, New York
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Accreditation and modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
13.3 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
14. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(ICPD + 5); 30 June - 2 July 1999, New York
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
14.3 Modalities for non-governmental organizations
14.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
15. 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
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Accreditation for civil society
15.3 Modalities for participation
15.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
16. 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
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
16.3 Modalities for participation of 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 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
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Accreditation for civil society
18.3 Modalities for the participation of civil society
18.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
19. 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
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Accreditation for civil society
19.3 Modalities for civil society participation
19.4 Documentation and Preparatory Committee meetings
20. SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON CHILDREN
19-21 September 2001, New York
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Accreditation for non-governmental organizations
20.3 Modalities for participation of non-governmental organizations
20.3 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 its 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 context of all conferences and General Assembly special sessions Member States
make recommendations for civil society activities at the national, regional,
subregional and international levels. These recommendations include ways and
means how civil society will participate in awareness raising, information campaigns,
national delegations, as well as in reporting, monitoring and implementation.
These aspects are not dealt with in this document. They comprise, however, an
important part of civil society participation, because one of the main reasons
for civil society to participate in conferences and General Assembly special
sessions is to contribute to the outcome of these meetings and take part in
the implementation and follow up processes.
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 in the 1990s are concerned. The
upcoming conferences are included with information on decisions made so far.
This document should be treated as "work in process" and any comments
and additions for its improvement would be appreciated.
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 NGOs were
granted consultative status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as early
as in 1948. The first set of rules on this relationship was adopted in 1950
by the ECOSOC in resolution 288 B(X). 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 the 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 ECOSOC decision 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. 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.
In 1998, the Secretary-General elaborated arrangements and practices for NGOs
in his report A/53/170. 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 1999.
As stated above, also the Millennium Declaration gave a new mandate to enhance
this partnership.
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 the article 71 of the Charter,
which recognizes NGOs legally and formally as partners within the UN system.
The article states that the 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, which defines the criteria and principles for establishing
consultative relationships for NGOs. Resolution 1996/31 defines NGOs "any
international organization which is not established by a governmental entity
or intergovernmental agreement". It also says that organization refers
to NGOs at the national, subregional, regional and international levels, expect
where expressly stated otherwise. The resolution establishes three categories
of consultative status for NGOs. General consultative status is for large international
NGOs whose are of work covers most issues on the ECOSOC agenda. Special consultative
status is for NGOs that have special competence in a few fields of the ECOSOC
activity. The third category, which is inclusion on the roster, is for NGOs
whose competence enables them to make occasional and useful contributions to
the work of the UN and that are available for consultation upon request. NGOs
on the roster may also include organizations in consultative status with a specialized
agency or other UN body. The resolution also formulated guidelines for written
statements, oral statements and attendance during meetings.
The applications of NGOs for consultative status or roster status, or requests
for change of status, are reviewed by the ECOSOC Committee on Non-Governmental
Organizations, which is the only intergovernmental Committee in the UN that
focuses exclusively on relations with NGOs. The Committee, which is responsible
for monitoring the relationship between NGOs and the UN, is composed of 19 Member
States and meets annually. The Committee holds annual consultations with NGOs
about this relationship, and transmits reports of such consultations to ECOSOC
for action.
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 ECOSOC resolution
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 ECOSOC resolution
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 ECOSOC resolution 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 (A/RES/55/162)
the following commitments were 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. It is important to note that the phase and scope of
accreditation and modalities varies among individual processes of special sessions,
conferences and summits.
One should also remember that the UN secretariat and agencies have their own
accreditation procedures and fields of co-operation with civil society, which
are not covered by this document. To mention one example, the Department of
Public Information (DPI) recognized the importance of working with and through
NGOs as an integral part of United Nations information activities, when the
DPI was established in 1946. The relationship between the DPI and NGOs was based
on the General Assembly resolution 13 (I) and later on the resolutions 1296
and 1996/31.
(For more information on the role and tasks of DPI/NGOs, vist at: http://www.un.org/partners/civil_society/ngo/ngos-dpi.)
(For more information on the application process, visit at: http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/brochure.htm)
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. The UN Information Centres and Services (UNICs and UNISs) play an important
role to disseminate information at the national, subregional and regional levels,
which has not yet fully utilized. The NGO community itself informs its members
at various meetings and through worldwide newsletters and the internet.
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 meetings.
For NGOs, seating in meeting rooms is on a first-come/first-served basis with
overflow into other conference rooms. In the case of the General Assembly Hall,
the number of seats at the public gallery is limited and may be allocated on
the basis of tickets or transferable badges. These tickets and badges would
be distributed among NGO delegations as equally as possible in consultation
with the NGO community. If the meeting space is not limited, there is no reason
to restrict the attendance by tickets or transferable badges.
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. The NGO-community usually would
organize side-events, which take place before or at the same time as the actual
meetings. It is thus an established practice to make separate meeting space
available for NGOs. In addition, the NGOs often organize briefing sessions every
morning during the official meetings. These events would be open for all NGO-delegates.
Increasingly, representatives of Member States and the Bureau of the Preparatory
Committee attend these events to meet and brief NGOs.
[return to table of contents]
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 (A/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 (A/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
[return to table of contents]
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 of the Preparatory Committee: Same as the Secretariat of
the world Conference, supported by the staff of the Centre for 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 decision 1990/110; resolution 1991/30; resolution
1992/37
1st session 9-13 Sept. 1991, Geneva: A/CONF.157/PC/13; 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.157/8
4. 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.
4.1 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 A/RES/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).
4.2 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.
4.3 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
5. 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
5.1 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)
5.2 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).
5.3 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.
5.4 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
6. 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
6.1 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)
6.2 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).
6.3 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)
6.4 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
[return to table of contents]
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
7.1 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.
7.2 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 consulta