Civil society and non-governmental organizations play a vital role as partners to the UN in implementing development goals and assisting people at the local level in countries across the globe. Every year, NGOs from around the world can apply for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), giving them an opportunity to take part in UN deliberations.

1 June 2017 is the last day for NGOs to apply for ECOSOC consultative status and ahead of this deadline we spoke with Marc-André Dorel, Acting Chief of the NGO Branch in UN DESA, about the principles of consultative arrangements between ECOSOC and non-governmental organizations.

What is consultative status?
“Consultative status is an arrangement established between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. The arrangement is established on the one hand, to enable the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views.”

Who is eligible to apply?
“Consultative relationships may be established with international, regional, sub regional and national non-governmental, non-profit public or voluntary organizations. NGOs affiliated to an international organization already in status may be admitted provided that they can demonstrate that their programme of work has direct relevance to the aims and purposes of the United Nations.

To be eligible for consultative status, a NGO must have been in existence (officially registered with the appropriate government authorities as a NGO/non-profit) for at least two years, and must have an established headquarters, a democratically adopted constitution, authority to speak for its members, a representative structure, appropriate mechanisms of accountability and democratic and transparent decision-making processes.

The basic resources of the organization must be derived in the main part from contributions of the national affiliates or other components, or from individual members. Organizations established by governments or intergovernmental agreements are not considered NGOs.”

How many NGOs enjoy this status and what are the benefits?
“Currently, 4,507 NGOs enjoy active consultative status with ECOSOC. This means that they can participate in a number of events, including, but not limited to regular sessions of ECOSOC, its functional commissions and its other subsidiary bodies.

NGOs may:

• Attend official meetings;
• Submit written statements prior to sessions;
• Make oral statements;
• Meet official government delegations, UN officers and other NGO representatives;
• Organize and attend parallel events that take place during the session;
• Participate in debates, interactive dialogues and panel discussions.”