How to obtain Consultative Status with ECOSOC |
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1 |
First a letter of intent: To begin the process of applying for consultative status,
an organization must submit a letter of intent to the NGO Section. of the
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), also known as the
Secretariat. The letter should be on the organization's letterhead and
signed by its secretary-general or president. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 |
The Application: Questionnaire + Summary + Supporting Documents: Once the NGO section receives the letter of intent, it
will mail the application package containing the questionnaire and all the
background materials to the organization. The application and
questionnaire is then completed by the NGO applying for status. Questions
regarding the correct completion of the application and questionnaire
should be directed to the NGO Section. The applications forms are also
available for download at the documents section of this
site. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 |
NGO Section screening of applications: The period between 1st June and the date the Committee
meets is dedicated by the NGO Section to review the applications. During
this time the NGO may be contacted and asked for more information or
clarifications. Only after reviewed by an officer and considered complete,
an application is submitted to the NGO Committee.
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4 |
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations: The Committee meets twice a year to decide which NGOs
applying for consultative status it will recommend to the ECOSOC Council.
At any time, the Committee may ask questions to the NGO. Such questions
are immediately faxed to the NGO by the Secretariat and should be replied
by the NGO as fast as possible in order to help the Committee make a
decision and avoid getting deferred to future sessions.
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5 |
The Committee only recommends: The Committee recommendations are published in a report
and submitted to the next ECOSOC meeting for final approval. Official
notification is sent to all reviewed NGOs, informing them about the
Committee's recommendation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 |
ECOSOC final decision: When the Council finally approves the Committee recommendation to grant consultative status to an NGO, official notification is sent by the Secretariat. NGOs granted General or Special consultative status must submit to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, every fourth year, a brief report of their activities, in particular regarding their contribution to the work of the United Nations (Quadrennial Report). |