E/AC.70/1995/NGO/5
                                        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 International Confederation
         of Free Trade Unions, 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 International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
(ICFTU), which represents 126 million working people in 187
affiliated organizations in 134 countries and territories, looks
back on 46 years of cooperation with the United Nations.

2.  It is therefore of great importance to ICFTU that the
current review of arrangements for consultations with
non-governmental organizations result in enhancing the
consultative relationship.  ICFTU therefore respectfully submits
a number of comments and suggestions regarding the proposals
contained in the document (E/AC.70/1995/CRP.1) prepared for the
meeting of the Working Group.

Introduction

3.  ICFTU proposes that the introduction be deleted.  From the
purely formal point of view, it would not seem to fit into a
United Nations resolution; as regards its substance, it appears
to be based on a number of assumptions with which we disagree.

4.  Partnerships between non-governmental organizations in
developed and developing countries are not a new phenomenon. 
They have existed for a long time within international
organizations.  Many of the newly emerging non-governmental
organizations have already joined such organizations and are
benefiting from the international solidarity and support that
they can offer.

5.  The call to establish a balance between non-governmental
organizations from developed and developing countries disregards
the fact that the majority of organizations affiliated to
international non-governmental organizations are in fact located
in developing countries.  As to establishing a balance between
international and national organizations, this would not only
present a host of problems of a practical and political nature
but would also be in contravention of Article 71 of the Charter
of the United Nations, which clearly places the focus on
international organizations.

6.  Moreover, there appears to be a confusion between the role
of non-governmental organizations in consultative status in
accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution
1296 (XLIV) and the work carried out by non-governmental
organizations in the field and in cooperation with the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

7.  The recommendations to the General Assembly in the last
paragraph of the proposal, while welcome, would seem to require a
separate resolution to be submitted to the General Assembly
through the Economic and Social Council.

Paragraph 4

8.  ICFTU agrees with the addition of "environment" but would
wish to see "cultural, educational, health" etc. retained.  Also,
"humanitarian and human rights issues" should not be listed
separately as though they were not within the competence of the
Council.

Paragraph 7

9.  The reference to "major groups as defined in Agenda 21",
followed by the listing of some groups covered by that term,
makes this paragraph somewhat vague.  If any such groups are to
be singled out, trade unions should be added.

Paragraph 8

10. The Charter of the United Nations clearly states that such
arrangements may be made with international organizations, and,
where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation
with the Member of the United Nations concerned.  Accordingly,
the focus on working through international non-governmental
organizations should be maintained.

Paragraph 10

11. The inclusion of organizations that accept members
designated by governmental authorities is unacceptable.  This
provision is a legacy of the cold war that should be dropped.

Paragraph 11

12. ICFTU objects to the elimination of the phrase "covering,
where possible, a substantial number of countries in different
regions of the world".  The original text would still permit
admission of national organizations but would keep the focus on
international organizations in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations.  Old paragraph 10, which has been retained, would
now also be in contradiction with new paragraph 11, as it refers
to international organizations.

Paragraph 15

13. ICFTU feels that old paragraph 9 should be retained, since
it does allow for the admittance of national organizations and
retains the focus on international organizations.

14. ICFTU agrees in principle that national organizations
affiliated to an international or regional non-governmental
organization should not be admitted, in conformity with the
Charter of the United Nations.  Moreover, if a large number of
national non-governmental organizations were to receive
consultative status, those organizations that practise
international solidarity by working within international
organizations would be put at a disadvantage.  On the other hand,
if national affiliates were to receive separate status, the
number of non-governmental organizations would quickly reach
numbers that would make the system totally unmanageable.

Paragraph 18

15. It would indeed be desirable to facilitate the cooperation
of national and regional organizations (including regional
organizations of internationals) with the regional commissions.

Paragraph 19

16. Cooperation between UNDP and other United Nations bodies and
regional and national organizations in relation to operational
activities is important and desirable but is a separate issue
that is not necessarily within the realm of consultative status.

Section 3

17. ICFTU can only support option 1.  It would be impossible to
categorize non-governmental organizations in accordance with the
categories listed in option 2.  As to option 3, ICFTU does not
see how a large organization, such as those in category I or
general consultative status, could be treated in the same manner
as a small group devoted to a single issue.
Paragraph 29

18. The word "general" has evidently been left out by mistake.

Paragraph 31

19. ICFTU strongly urges deletion of the phrase "subject to
available resources".  If the consultative relationship is to be
enhanced, it is imperative that the existing rights of non-
governmental organizations in consultative status be maintained
and be restored where they have been suspended.

Paragraph 32 (d)

20. Again, the word "general" has evidently been omitted by
mistake.

Paragraph 37

21. Again, ICFTU strongly urges deletion of the phrase "subject
to available resources".

Paragraph 51

22. This paragraph should be divided into two in order to
distinguish between organizations in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council and organizations especially
accredited to a United Nations conference.  Moreover,
international non-governmental organizations are by definition
constituencies.  Also, any grouping of non-governmental
organizations for the purpose of presenting a common statement
should only occur on a strictly voluntary basis.

Paragraph 59 (i)

23. ICFTU would question the advisability of having the
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of the Economic and
Social Council organize meetings on matters of substance, since
this would divert from its essential role.

Paragraphs 66 and 67

24. These two paragraphs would be better placed in a separate
resolution.

________________________

    *   E/AC.70/1995/1.