Global Policy Forum

In this statement, a group of NGOs, including Global Policy Forum, responds to the recommendations of Ambassadors Johan Lovald of Norway and Rezlan Jenie of Indonesia for boosting NGO participation at the General Assembly (GA). The text reflects on past NGO contributions to the work of the UN, reiterates calls for regular status with the GA and also opposes the use of the Cardoso report as a "basis for policy." The NGOs request a formal and open process, instead of just hearings, to foster sustained dialogue between Member States and NGOs.

In a report to General Assembly President Jan Eliasson, Ambassadors Johan Lovald of Norway and Rezlan Jenie of Indonesia advise on how to enhance NGO relations with the General Assembly. After consultation with Member States and NGOs, the report recommends some possible avenues, but comes short of specific plans and skirts important issues such as means for regular consultations between NGOs and Member States.

In this letter distributed to Member States, President of the 60th General Assembly Jan Eliasson announces his intention to explore ways to enhance NGO participation at the UN, and the General Assembly in particular. Eliasson has appointed Ambassadors Johan Lovald of Norway and Rezlan Jenie of Indonesia as his personal advisers.

A group of NGOs, including Global Policy Forum, has submitted a letter to the General Assembly President calling for improved NGO access and participation at the UN. The list of ten recommendations includes access to the new Human Rights Council, Peacebuilding Commission and the General Assembly, as well as better support for NGLS and the appointment of a high-level person on NGO affairs in the Executive Office of the Secretary General. The text emphasizes that while NGO hearings by UN bodies may have a value, they should not be used "as a fig leaf to conceal the lack of more extensive forms of NGO participation."

Jens Martens, Executive Director of Global Policy Forum Europe, regrets that the UN reform process neglects improvements in particpation of NGOs. In 2005, governments largely excluded NGOs both from preparatory negotiations and from the Summit. What does this mean for the future participation of NGOs in the UN? Martens makes a number of practical recommendations, including extending NGO accreditation beyond ECOSOC to the General Assembly. (Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Global Policy Forum)

In this draft resolution on UN-civil society relations following up on the Cardoso report, the Brazilian delegation invites NGOs to participate in General Assembly (GA) main committee meetings and offers informal, interactive hearings before major events, but stops short of calling for NGO participation in the GA's annual plenary meeting. The resolution also welcomes the trust fund for NGOs particularly of developing countries, and decides to establish a working group to analyze a single NGO accreditation system at the UN.

Beginning with the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, this report provides detailed information on formal rules for NGO involvement in UN conferences, focusing on the issues of NGO accreditation, modalities of participation, and relations with Member States. (Office of the President of the General Assembly of the UN)

A narrative account of NGO access covering the period from 1996 to 1999 with many links to further information.

NGOs remain unclear about the role they will play in the new Human Rights Council. Only one NGO representative has been permitted to speak at the Human Rights Commission's closing ceremonies, but the speaker will affirm NGOs commitment to the Council and speak out against exclusion of civil society from the new Council. (Inter Press Service)

Swiss Info writes that NGOs face an increased challenge in playing an active role in the new Human Rights Council. NGOs with smaller budgets, particularly those from developing countries will encounter problems with ensuring a presence in Geneva at the more frequent Council sittings. The article argues NGOs also face "certain regimes hostile to human rights" that aim to suppress NGO activities in the Council.

CIVICUS recommends the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly to make the UN more democratic and increase the participation of civil society. In the initial stages the body could hold consultative status with the UN in co-operative agreement with the General Assembly, progressing to an assembly elected by "the peoples of the world." Although an ambitious proposal, the article believes such a body would provide a "vital link" between the UN, system, parliaments and civil society in a way that has not so far been possible.

Because UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has left most details on the forthcoming Human Rights Council for member states to decide after the High-Level September summit, many NGOs are worried that they will be excluded from the deliberations leading to the Council's formation. (Inter Press Service)

NGOs in Chile are dissatisfied with the slow progress made towards implementing the Millennium Development Goals, and disapprove of the apparent shift in focus of the September 2005 UN Summit from development to UN reform and terrorism. Exponents of civil society also express resentment about the limited role the UN concedes to NGOs, explaining that "it is not possible to have an orderly world" without civil society's cooperation. (Inter Press Service)

Following unprecedented UN General Assembly civil society hearings, NGOs express the need for more regular interaction with the United Nations. Many organizations are disappointed about their current degree of participation in UN decision-making, and stress that they would play an essential role in addressing the "lack of connectivity between documents and action on the ground." (Inter Press Service)

The UN General Assembly hosts landmark hearings with civil society organizations to discuss the themes in Secretary General Kofi Annan's report "In Larger Freedom." While the sessions are a great achievement for NGOs, many doubt the impact they will have on the September summit outcome document, and some organizations question the UN's selection criteria of participants. (Inter Press Service)

In a General Assembly debate on the Cardoso Panel report, Deputy Secretary General Louise Fréchette reiterated the Secretary General's call for the GA to incorporate NGOs into its regular business. She also supported increased NGO access to documents and information. Better NGO-UN relations, said Fréchette, could "help improve the services we provide to the world's people." (UN News)

The United Nations has marginalized NGO interaction with delegates during the Commission on Human Rights under the pretext of security concerns. NGOs which were blocked from accessing the plenary floor, charge that the restriction risks destroying the credibility of the Commission and prevents NGO advocacy possibilities. (Franciscans International)