List of organizations with consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council

Types of Consultative Status

The foundation for NGO involvement in the UN dates back to 1945, with Article 71 of Chapter X of the UN Charter, which explicitly allows ECOSOC to consult with NGOs on matters within its competence. Since the UN’s inception, NGOs have played a vital role in shaping its agenda, and today thousands of organizations actively cooperate with various UN bodies to address global challenges.

ECOSOC grants consultative status[3] to NGOs at three levels, depending on their scope and field of expertise:

General Consultative Status – Reserved for large international NGOs with broad expertise across most areas of the UN agenda. These organizations are entitled to participate in nearly all ECOSOC deliberations and may submit statements, attend meetings, and propose agenda items.

Special Consultative Status – Granted to NGOs with specific competence in a limited number of fields, such as human rights, environmental protection, or gender equality. These NGOs may engage in debates relevant to their area of specialization and provide expert input.

Roster Status – Designed for NGOs that may occasionally contribute to the work of ECOSOC or its subsidiary bodies but do not engage on a continuous basis. These organizations may attend meetings as appropriate but with more limited rights.

Organizations with any of these statuses are considered partners in implementing the UN’s objectives, particularly in advancing human rights, development, and international peace.

Rights and Opportunities for Accredited NGOs

NGOs holding ECOSOC consultative status are entitled to several privileges:

Participation in UN Events – They may attend sessions of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, present policy positions, and contribute to the discussions on various global issues.

Written and Oral Submissions – Accredited NGOs can submit written statements and deliver oral interventions at UN meetings, highlighting their views on items under discussion.

Organization of Side Events – NGOs may convene parallel events such as briefings, panel discussions, and workshops that contribute to the UN’s mandate.

UN Grounds Passes – NGOs may obtain UN passes for their representatives, granting them access to attend sessions and events at UN headquarters and offices.

Permanent Representation – NGOs may designate permanent representatives at locations such as the UN Office at Geneva, enabling consistent engagement with UN processes.

Accreditation Process

To obtain consultative status with ECOSOC, NGOs must complete a formal accreditation process overseen by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Applications are submitted through the Integrated Civil Society Organizations System (iCSO/ESANGO) platform, accessible via https://esango.un.org/civilsociety/login.do.

The process includes:

1.     Online Application – Organizations must fill out a detailed form available at https://ecosoc.un.org/en/ngo/apply-for-consultative-status, providing key institutional data such as:

o  Organizational structure

o  Governance model

o  Areas of activity and governing documents

2.     Activity Description – The application must outline the organization’s mission, goals, and scope of operations. Proof of at least two years of formal activity is required.

3.     Financial Documentation – NGOs must submit financial reports specifying funding sources and budgetary details for the period of operation under review.

Upon approval, the organization receives consultative status and may participate in the UN’s decision-making and programmatic work. ----TOC

General Consultative Status

Special Consultative Status

Roster Status

• Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
• Asian Media Information and Communication Centre
• Association of African Universities
• Association of Arab Universities
• Association of European Universities
• Association of Official Analytical Chemists
• Caribbean Food Crops Society
• Celtic League
• Conseil international des organisations de festivals de folklore et d'arts traditionnels
• Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences
• European Association for Animal Production
• European Association for Research on Plant Breeding
• European Atomic Forum
• European Broadcasting Union
• European Chemical Industry Council
• European Computer Manufacturers Association
• General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries
• Institute of International Law
• International Academy of Pathology
• International Aeronautical Federation
• International Amateur Radio Union
• International Association for Cereal Science and Technology
• International Association for the Study of Pain
• International Association for Suicide Prevention
• International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists
• International Association of Applied Linguistics
• International Association of Classification Societies
• International Association of Conference Interpreters
• International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners
• International Association of Horticultural Producers
• International Association of Independent Tanker Owners
• International Association of Universities
• International Board on Books for Young People
• International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
• International Commission of Agricultural Engineering
• International Commission on Illumination
• International Commission on Occupational Health
• International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements
• International Commission on Radiological Protection
• International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders
• International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences
• International Council of Graphic Design Associations
• International Council of Marine Industry Associations
• International Council of Management Consulting Institutes
• International Council of Museums
• International Council of Nurses
• International Council on Archives
• International Diabetes Federation
• International Epidemiological Association
• International Ergonomics Association
• International Federation for Documentation
• International Federation for Information Processing
• International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering
• International Federation of Automatic Control
• International Federation of Catholic Universities
• International Federation of Consulting Engineers
• International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
• International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA)
• International Federation of Plantation, Agricultural and Allied Workers
• International Federation of Translators
• International Federation of Workers' Education Associations
• International Fertilizer Industry Association
• International Food Policy Research Institute
• International Institute for Peace
• International Life Sciences Institute
• International Medical Society of Paraplegia
• International Music Council
• International Peace Research Association
• International Pharmaceutical Federation
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
• International Political Science Association
• International Press Telecommunications Council
• International Publishers Association
• International Radiation Protection Association
• International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
• International Society of City and Regional Planners
• International Sociological Association
• International Theatre Institute
• International Transport Workers' Federation
• International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
• International Union of Microbiological Societies
• International Union of Nutritional Sciences
• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
• Licensing Executives Society International
• Medicus Mundi International
• Miners' International Federation
• Pacific Science Association
• Population Action International
• Saami Council
• Society of Chemical Industry
• Soka Gakkai International
• Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe
• World Association of Newspapers
• World Energy Conference
• World Federation for Medical Education
• World Federation of Engineering Organizations
• World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies
• World Federation of Scientific Workers
• World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists
• World Heart Federation
• World Islamic Call Society
• World Medical Association
• World Movement of Christian Workers
• World Peace Council
• World Press Freedom Committee

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