E/AC.70/1995/NGO/3
                                        3 May 1995

                                        ORIGINAL:  ENGLISH

OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON
  THE REVIEW OF ARRANGEMENTS
  FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH
  NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Second session
8-12 May 1995
Item 2 of the provisional agenda*

        GENERAL REVIEW OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSULTATIONS
               WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

    Statement submitted by the World Federation of United Nations
    Associations, a non-governmental organization in consultative
    status with the Economic and Social Council, category I

    The Secretary-General has received the following statement,
which is being circulated in accordance with paragraph 10 of the
annex to Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/80.

                             *  *  *

1.  The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)
has followed the current review process very closely since its
outset and has presented written or oral statements to all
intergovernmental meetings held thus far.  On each occasion,
WFUNA has strongly emphasized that the ultimate aim of the review
should be the broadening of non-governmental organizations'
access, including national organizations, to the United Nations
and the strengthening of the participatory rights of non-
governmental organizations.

2.  WFUNA has also carefully considered the positions of the
European Union, the United States of America and the Group of 77,
as well as those of the many non-governmental organizations that
have participated in the discussions.  In addition, WFUNA has
participated in several informal meetings and consultations with
member States, non-governmental organizations and the United
Nations Secretariat.  These exchanges, for which WFUNA is very
grateful, have helped immensely as WFUNA has thoroughly examined
the draft resolution submitted by the Secretariat
(E/AC.70/1995/CRP.1).

3.  The general debate seems to be coming to its conclusion and
WFUNA has reached the stage of discussing specific wording. 
WFUNA has thus prepared a compilation of Economic and Social
Council resolution 1296 (XLIV) and the above-mentioned conference
room paper, along with some proposed modifications that attempt
to address the concerns and points of view of other parties,
which WFUNA hopes will be helpful.  It should be noted, however,
that the contents of the compilation represent only the views of
WFUNA; the compilation is available from WFUNA.

4.  In the present statement, WFUNA wishes to take the
opportunity to offer some general comments about the approaches
it has used in the more detailed document and the general
principles underlying its position.  In view of the fact that the
new Economic and Social Council resolution is expected to
regulate relations between the United Nations and non-
governmental organizations for the next several years, WFUNA
suggests that the text omit what could be termed unnecessary
ideological or political references contained in the introduction
and in some other parts of the text.  A sound legal document
should not include such statements for the simple reason that
they often leave open the possibility of unfortunate or
controversial interpretations.  A brief statement of the guiding
principles that underlie the resolution is probably desirable and
could easily be formulated.

5.  With regard to the participatory rights of non-governmental
organizations, WFUNA is deeply concerned that they are in danger
of being significantly curtailed by several provisions in the
proposed draft resolution.  For example, WFUNA objects to:

    (a) The conditionality attached to the circulation by the
Secretary-General of written statements of non-governmental
organizations (para. 31);

    (b) Imposing on non-governmental organizations the
requirement to coordinate joint oral and written submissions by
non-governmental organizations (paras. 11 and 51).

6.  In addition, although WFUNA recognizes the intergovernmental
character of United Nations conferences, it believes that the
assertion in paragraph 50 that non-governmental organizations
should have no negotiating role in the work of the conference and
its preparatory process is both discouraging and unnecessary. 
Past practice has shown that innovative mechanisms can be found
to allow de facto negotiations involving non-governmental
organizations.

7.  Over the years and especially very recently, consultation
with the Secretariat and the strengthening of logistic support
for relations with non-governmental organizations has become a
matter of importance and urgency.  In recognition of this
importance, WFUNA has suggested the introduction of uniform
language and the considerable strengthening of the wording of old
section 10.

8.  WFUNA wishes to express its great appreciation that for the
first time, rules for non-governmental organizations'
participation in United Nations conferences are included in the
text proposed by the Secretariat - perhaps in direct response to
repeated requests from non-governmental organizations.  We would
like to point out the importance of admitting to United Nations
conferences non-governmental organizations not in consultative
status, whether international, regional, national or affiliates
of non-governmental organizations in consultative status.  While
consultative status relates to an ongoing, quasi-permanent
relationship, this accreditation constitutes a recognition of the
expertise of non-consultative non-governmental organizations on
the issues being addressed by the conference.  Consequently,
membership in an international non-governmental organization in
consultative status should have no bearing whatsoever as to
whether a national non-governmental organization should be
eligible for accreditation to a United Nations conference.  The
only criteria for admission should be those set out in old
section 7.  Although it proposes some modifications to the
wording of section 7, WFUNA is of the view that the procedures
outlined in this section have worked relatively well in the past.

9.  Although WFUNA appreciates efforts to define national non-
governmental organizations more precisely, it disagrees with the
enumeration given in paragraph 7 of the proposed draft.  In
particular, the formula of "major groups" creates confusion
because of its tautology.  The other examples given of
non-governmental organizations do not appear to be based on any
common criteria or factors.  Because no enumeration will be
rationally clear, WFUNA proposes that this paragraph be either
worded more generally or deleted altogether.

10. Notwithstanding this fact, WFUNA must use this opportunity
to register publicly its objection to the recent practice of the
secretariats of the International Conference on Population and
Development and the World Summit for Social Development to
impose, without any legislative authority and at the last minute,
limitations on the number of persons allowed to be registered by
accredited non-governmental organizations.  Experience has shown
that even if all persons delegated by a non-governmental
organization are registered, there is no danger of a deluge in
the conference room so long as there is a system of special
access passes.

11. All interested parties are agreed that the time has come to
rationalize and harmonize relations between non-governmental
organizations and the entire United Nations system, including the
specialized agencies.  WFUNA therefore submits that paragraphs 19
and 20 are too weak and proposes that a separate, special
resolution on this matter be adopted by the Council.

12. Finally, WFUNA would like to re-emphasize its readiness to
offer its expertise in the further drafting of a new resolution
governing these extremely important consultative arrangements
between non-governmental organizations and the United Nations.

________________________

    *   E/AC.70/1995/1.