Introduction

At the beginning of 2006 IBE submitted an application to the United Nations to be considered for Consultative Status on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The IBE was granted this Consultative Status in May 2007.

ECOSOC serves as a central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to the Member States and United Nations system. It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitative international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It has the power to make or initiate studies and reports on these issues. It also has the power to assist in the organization of major international conferences in the economic and social and related fields and to facilitate a co-ordinated follow-up to these conferences. With its broad mandate the Council’s purview extends to over 70 per cent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system.

ECOSOC was established under the United Nations Charter as the principal organ to coordinate economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions.

In the Millennium Declaration, Heads of State and Government decided to further strengthen ECOSOC, building on its recent achievements, to help it fulfil the role ascribed to it in the UN Charter. In carrying out its mandate, ECOSOC consults with academics, business sector representatives and more than 2,100 registered NGOs.

The Council holds a four-week substantive session each July, which alternates between New York and Geneva, organized under the High-level Segment, Coordination Segment, Operational Activities Segment, Humanitarian Affairs Segment and the General Segment. At High-level Segment national cabinet ministers and chiefs of international agencies and other high officials discuss in detail a selected theme of global significance. A Ministerial declaration is generally adopted on the theme of the High-level Segment, which will provide policy guidance and recommendations for action.

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

To be eligible for consultative status, an NGO 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. As a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Consultative Status on ECOSOC, IBE will be able to contribute to the programs and goals of the United Nations, serving as experts, advisors and consultants to governments and to the Secretariat.

News and Updates

“Today marks a special occasion in IBE’s history, as we are formally recognized within the United Nations, says Susanne Lund, President of IBE, speaking on 18th May (2007). I am very happy today as the process has been long, due to the need to meet specific criteria in order to be accepted as an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) in the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC). The IBE office and the members of the Management Group contributed a lot to make this happen and I am very grateful for their support.”…..

Extract from a telephone interview with Susanne Lund, President IBE, and Carlos Acevedo, IE News Editor

To download the full interview on the IBE UN Consultative Status click here