The United Nations NGO Committee has concluded the final session of its 2023–2026 membership term, recording its lowest-ever approval rate for organizations seeking consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The outcome has raised concerns among civil society advocates regarding transparency, efficiency, and the increasing politicization of the accreditation process for non-governmental organizations.
ECOSOC consultative status serves as a critical mechanism through which NGOs can engage with the United Nations. Accredited organizations gain access to UN premises, participate in meetings, submit policy recommendations, make statements during discussions, and organize events related to international issues. As a result, consultative status is widely regarded as an important gateway for civil society participation in global policymaking.
The Committee’s membership during the 2023–2026 term consisted of representatives from 19 countries across all regional groups. During its latest session, members reviewed a total of 463 applications, including 102 new applications and 361 applications that had been deferred from previous sessions.
Out of the total applications considered, only 90 organizations were granted special consultative status. Among newly submitted applications, 71 organizations received approval, representing approximately 69.6 percent of new applicants. However, only 19 previously deferred organizations were approved, representing just 5.2 percent of deferred applications. This marks a significant decline compared to the previous session, when a larger proportion of deferred applications received approval.
