The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today began its 2022 resumed session by recommending 106 organizations for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and postponed action on 44 others, pending their response to additional questions posed by Committee members.
The 19-member Committee considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Once an application has been reviewed and approved by the Committee, it is considered recommended for consultative status. Organizations which were granted general and special status can attend meetings of the Council and issue statements, while those with general status can also speak during meetings and propose agenda items. Organizations with roster status can only attend meetings.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 August, to continue its work.
Statements
MINE OZGUL BILMAN, Vice-Chair of the Committee, announced that, during this resumed session, which will end on 7 September, the subsidiary body will have to examine a total of 564 applications for NGO status, 216 of them being new applications from 66 countries. Some 348 requests deferred from previous sessions will also be considered by the 19 Committee members. In addition, the Committee has before it 317 new quadrennial reports from organizations in general or special consultative status and 86 quadrennial reports, deferred from earlier sessions. There were also several requests for change of names. She noted there continues to be a steady increase in the number of applications from all over the world.
WOOK-JIN CHANG, Chief of the NGO Branch in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that his office performs initial screenings of applications from all over the world, offering guidance and finalizing documentation. The number of organizations applying for consultative status had continued to grow, reaching a peak of more than 883 requests in 2020. Today, more than 6,300 NGOs have consultative status with the Council; however, he said this has resulted in a an immense increase in workload, while its resources have remained the same, hampering its ability to review and submit all new requests for consultative status.
The representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said the Committee must not treat organizations arbitrarily or discriminate against them, citing the example of the European organization Le Réseau de solidarité internationale — which, over a 15-year period, received 103 questions, which it answered fully and on time. Noting that many of them were the same questions year after year, a process that tarnishes the reputation of the United Nations, he called for reform of the system with fairer and more transparent procedures — in particular to establish limits concerning deferrals of applications. He also recalled that the Council could reverse a decision of the NGO Committee regarding the non-recommendation of consultative status.
The delegate of the United States recalled that in the face of abuses of process by the Committee, the Council decided to grant special consultative status to 16 organizations in July, after they had been targeted for their work. Condemning the gross politicization of the Committee, she cited the marginalization of NGOs working on human rights, marginalized groups or drug policy, whose applications are deferred year after year, and noted the number of applications has roughly doubled — with an increase in deferrals, as well. It is imperative that the Committee do more to accredit credible organizations regardless of their political position.
The representative of Türkiye requested that the Committee resume its normal work cycle in 2023. He commended the work to reduce the backlog of applications, stressing the importance to work on Committee transparency, fairness and inclusion.
The representative of Mexico highlighted the importance of developing national participation, including online.
The representative of Estonia, associating himself with the European Union, condemned the Russian Federation’s military aggression in Ukraine, and its impact on NGOs, also asking that those organizations be able to participate in the online dialogue with the Committee.
The representative of Greece, associating himself with the European Union, noted that hundreds of organizations have been blocked, including through duplicative questioning, calling for enhanced online participation.
The representative of Cuba lamented that the NGO department’s website has not been updated from its 2019 version. He asked for clarification on what the Committee expects for the current cycle and the cycle to come, considering it essential to ensure the implementation of resolution 1996/31.
The representative of China also called for strict application of the resolution and called on the Committee to strive to retain its authority.
The United Kingdom’s delegate condemned the Russian Federation’s military aggression in Ukraine, while praising the role of civil society in the region. Expressing regret over the many postponements of requests from organizations, he condemned the politicization of the Committee, with some organizations deferred for eight cycles. This is very damaging for the United Nations, requiring review of the Committee’s working method to avoid arbitrary postponements, he said.
The representative of Pakistan announced a complaint over the actions of nine organizations that have been carrying out politically motivated disinformation campaigns targeting his country for more than 20 years, using fictitious names and domains and identity theft. Once an ensuing investigation is completed, his Government will not hesitate to bring civil or criminal actions as appropriate against such organizations, he warned.
Special Consultative Status
The Committee recommended that the Economic and Social Council grant special consultative status to the following organizations:
Admighty Foundation (India);
African Refugee and Migrants Aid “ARMA” (South Africa);
African Smart Cities Innovation Foundation (Nigeria);
Al Najm (Lebanon);
Andaa Vijana Initiative (Kenya);
Arab African Council for Peace and Development (Sudan);
Ardha Jabesa Foundation (Kenya);
Association for Community Development – ACD (Bangladesh);
Association of Women Professional Financial Managers (Nigeria);
Associação Esporte e Vida (Brazil);
Beijing Chaoyang District Yongxu Global Environmental Institute (China);
Beijing Global Talent Exchange Association (China);
Betneely Charity Foundation (Nigeria);
Beyond Mentors Community Care Initiative (Nigeria);
Building Foundation for Development (Yemen);
Cashew Gardens Community Council (Trinidad and Tobago);
China Ethnic Minorities’ Association for External Exchanges (China);
Chongqing Centre for Equal Social Development (China);
Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (Nigeria);
Corporación Mujeres Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir de Colombia (Colombia);
Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) (Nigeria);
Destined Kids Assistance Program (DEKAP) Inc (Liberia);
Elsophi Save The Family Limited (Nigeria);
Espoir du Congo pour le développement durable (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
Fundación Estudiantes Internacionales Debatiendo por el Saber – Eidos (Argentina);
Fundación Jecani (Costa Rica);
Fundación Comparlante (Argentina);
Fundación Eduxi (Colombia);
Fundación Mundo Sano (Argentina);
Fundación Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (Chile);
Geledés – Instituto da Mulher Negra (Brazil);
Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (Ghana);
H4P (Ghana);
Hands To Help International Foundation (Nigeria);
Help Restore International (Ghana);
House of Africa (Chad);
Instituto Alana (Brazil);
Instituto Ceu Estrela Guia (Brazil);
International Federation of Women Lawyers (Nigeria);
International Probono Legal Services Association Limited (China);
JKCS Edu India Foundation (India);
Just Clean It Limited (Uganda);
Kazit Children Development Foundation (Nigeria);
King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (Saudi Arabia);
Larsa Organization (Iraq);
Law & Justice Foundation (Bangladesh);
Millennium Child Support Group (Ghana);
Never Again Rwanda (Rwanda);
ONG Cruz Verde Ambiental (Colombia);
Ordre Suprême des Ancêtres (Benin);
Patient Access Network (Nigeria);
Perkumpulan Teknologi Informasi Dan Open Source (Indonesia);
Policy & Economic Alliance Caring of Earth (China);
Raisons Africaines (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
Serendipity Healthcare Foundation (Nigeria);
South Asian Women Development Forum (Nepal);
Sristy Human Rights Society (Bangladesh);
St. Gabriel Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation (Nigeria);
Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (Sudan);
Sufficient Power In Christ Church (Nigeria);
Tanzania Peace, Legal Aid and Justice Centre (PLAJC) (United Republic of Tanzania);
Tender Hearts Foundation (Nigeria);
The Development Institute (Ghana);
The Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (Nigeria);
Tianjin Eco-city Friend of Green Eco-Culture Promotion Association (China);
Unification Nepal Gorkha (Nepal);
United Funding and Development for Underage Mothers (UFDUM), Inc (Liberia);
Universal Institute of Professional Management (Indonesia);
Waste Warriors Society (India);
Women of Mercy Foundation (Nigeria);
World Buddhist Association In Bangladesh (Bangladesh);
World Disability Union (WDU) (United Arab Emirates);
World Silambam Association (Malaysia);
Wuxi Lingshan Charity Foundation (China);
Youth for Charity Missions International (YOFOCHM) (Uganda);
YouthBuild – Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone);
Zeleni krst (Serbia);
Zhongguancun Federation of Social Organizations (China);
Internacionalna policijska organizacija (International police organization) (Serbia);
Échos De La Justice Pour Le Développement Communautaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
AID & RES (United States);
ALTE – Association of Language Testers in Europe (United Kingdom);
Afrolatino (United Kingdom);
Agency of International Cooperation for Development, Inc. (United States);
Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y de Medios Audiovisuales (C.I.M.A.) (Spain);
Assist Associazione Nazionale Atlete (Italy);
Association INMISUISSE (Inter Migrants Suisse) (Switzerland);
Association of University Radiologists (United States);
Human Rights at Sea (United Kingdom);
Association pour le Droit de l’Homme et Le Développement Durable (France);
Atheist Ireland (Ireland);
BFWorld (Republic of Korea);
Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens – Ban Ki-moon Zentrum für globale Bürger (Austria);
Beat Nb Cancer Foundation Inc (United States);
Business Council for International Understanding (United States);
Duroo (Republic of Korea);
Fondation Suisse de Déminage (FSD) (Switzerland);
Garifuna Indigenous People of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Inc. (United States);
Global Organization for Sustainable Development Goals Inc (United States);
Global Srilankan Forum United Kingdom (United Kingdom);
Good Friends International (Republic of Korea);
Haro Riksorg, Valfrihet Jämställdhet Föräld. Skap (Sweden);
Health Finance Institute (United States);
Herkes İçin Eşitlik Ve Liderlik Platformu Derneği (Türkiye);
Human Rights Research League (Norway); and
Human Rights at Sea (United Kingdom).
The Committee postponed action on the applications of the following organizations:
Advocates Association for Social Responsibility And Awareness (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked if certain campaigns on World Human Rights Day were conducted;
All India Council of Human Rights Liberties & Social Justice (India) — as China’s representative asked about award ceremonies that have been conducted, and if there were any cosponsors of the events;
Bonyad Jahadi Mehr Alreza Utility (Iran) — as the representative of the United States asked for information on its experiences with the work of Economic and Social Council;
Crime And Corruption Control Association (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for audited financial information for 2020-2021;
Dr M Chandrasekhar International Foundation (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked for a breakdown of donations received;
Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (Fiji) — as the representative of China asked for details on promoting work internationally;
ForNGO NGO Legal Research and Service Center, Shanghai (China) — as Pakistan’s representative requested if the organization cooperates with the Government on its project;
Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo (Ecuador) — as the representative of Cuba asked for information on United Nations bodies to which it contributed work;
Green Camel Bell (China) — as the representative of the United States requested information and details on efforts to protect rights of women in indigenous communities including in its home country;
Grs Universe Social Welfare Trust (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked how the organization will generate funds for its project;
Gulf International Center for Legal Business Solutions (Bahrain) — as Nicaragua’s representative asked if it is a regional or national organization;
Human Environmental Association for Development — HEAD (Lebanon) — as the representative of the United States requested information and detail on how it has worked to implement the Sustainable Development Goals;
Human Rights Initiative (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for the latest audited financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2021;
India Tommorrow (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked for the latest audited financial statement for 2021 to 2022 and sources of financing;
Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan requested a list of 30 organization members;
Legal Analysis and Research Public Union (Azerbaijan) — as the representative of the United States asked for information on details on the content of the humanitarian law conference and how it identifies with the broader work of the Economic and Social Council;
Life Maker Meeting Place Organization USA (Yemen) — as Bahrain’s representative requested details on the projects from which the funds are drawn for the budget;
To Mahila Va Apang Bal Vikas Sanstha (India) — as the representative of Pakistan awaited updated financial statements for the past two years;
Mam Humanitarian Foundation/ MHF (Iraq) — as Türkiye’s representative asked if it also works outside Iraq;
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development “MYF” (Egypt) — as Bahrain’s representative requested the list of countries where they operate;
Mitraniketan (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked for clarification on its updated financial statement;
National Disability & Development Forum (NDF) (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan requested details of specific projects carried out;
National Solar Energy Federation of India (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested a list of member organizations;
PAY-W Clinic (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for details on its financial status;
Parlamento Internacional para los Derechos Humanos (PIDH) (Venezuela) — as Cuba’s representative requested details on the countries where it is deployed;
Peace Justice Humanity and Relief Foundation (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested updated financial statements;
Prashanthi Balamandira Trust (India) — as Pakistan’s representative asked for details on the organization’s partners’ updated financial statements;
Supportive Homeland Association for Development (SHAD) (Egypt) — as India’s representative requested information on projects undertaken with its partners;
Wathiqun Foundation for Development (Yemen) — as the representative of Bahrain asked it to specify the names of its affiliated organizations;
Working Women Welfare Trust (Pakistan) — as the representative of Pakistan requested the financial statements for the last two years;
World Culture Forum (India) — as Pakistan’s representative requested financial statements;
Yadam Institute of Research (India) — as the representative of Pakistan asked for more details on the activities carried out in South-East Asia;
All Survivors Project Foundation (Liechtenstein) — as Pakistan’s representative requested details on the origin of the funds that support its activities;
At AlterContact (Netherlands) — as China’s representative asked it to change the terminology used on its website regarding Taiwan “which is a province of China”;
Asociatia Geyc (Romania) — as China’s representative requested details on the coordination of the activities throughout the European Union;
Associazione Nazionale Volontarie Telefono Rosa – Centro di Orientamento per i Diritti della Donna — ONLUS (Italy) — as the representative of Türkiye requested details on its activities;
Corporate Counsel Women of Color Inc (United States) — as China’s representative asked for clarification on funds provided by top 500 companies;
Dalit Solidarity, Inc. (United States) — as India’s representative called for more details on the activities carried out in that country;
Education for Social Justice Foundation (ESJF) (United States) — as China’s representative asked it to clarify on its website that Taiwan is a province of China;
Fond Podderzhki Tekhnologicheskogo Predprinimatelstva Dalnevostochnogo Federalnogo Universiteta (FEFU Technology Entrepreneurship Fund) (Russian Federation) — as the representative of Estonia asked why it claims to be national but indicates in its presentation that it is possible to create branches in other countries; while the representative of the United States requested it to clarify the results of certain activities mentioned on its website;
Global Choices.org (United States) — as the Russian Federation’s representative requested information on how it collaborates with its partners;
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Inc. (United States) — as China’s representative requested that it specify its international partners; and
Helping Hand for Relief and Development Inc (United States) — as Greece’s representative requested an explanation of how the group intends to contribute to the work of the Council.
Interactive Discussion
The representative of Human Rights at Sea (United Kingdom) explained that his organization works to protect the rights of workers at sea, so that they can enjoy the same rights as workers on land. He was not asked any questions and the Committee granted his group special consultative status.
During the session, the Committee also approved the report of the first part of its 2022 session and its work programme, which should include the election of a second Vice-President after the resignation of Alejandro González Behmaras.
Source: United Nations