The Flowminder Foundation has been granted Special Consultative status at the United Nations’ (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), allowing it to actively engage with the Council and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the UN Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. At the centre of the UN development system, it brings people and issues together to promote collective action for a sustainable world. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.
The Consultative Status allows ECOSOC or one of its bodies, among other privileges, to seek expert information or advice from Flowminder in a special subject matter.
“Consultative arrangements are to be made [...] to secure expert information or advice from organisations having special competence in the subjects [...], and [...] to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views.
— ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20
Through this consultative status, Flowminder is granted the opportunity to influence the work of the Council, by, for example:
- Providing expert analysis on issues directly from its experience in the field;
- Serving as an early warning agent;
- Helping monitor and implement international agreements;
- Helping raise public awareness of relevant issues;
- Playing a major role in advancing United Nations goals and objectives; and
- Contributing with essential information at organisation events
Linus Bengtsson, Flowminder Executive Director, comments:
“We're honoured to have been approved for consultative status. We have been working with many UN bodies over several years and our new status will make it easier for us to support governments and the international community even better.”
As a result of this status, ECOSOC may recommend that Flowminder undertake studies or investigations or prepare papers for the commission, while Flowminder could request and arrange consultations with ECOSOC and any of its subsidiary bodies or give oral presentations at the Council. In addition, the Secretary General could request that Flowminder carry out studies or prepare papers.
About ECOSOC
ECOSOC is the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs and remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation.
ECOSOC consists of 54 Member States elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. Seats on the Council are allotted based on geographical representation with 14 allocated to African States, 11 to Asian States, 6 to Eastern European States, 10 to Latin American and Caribbean States, and 13 to Western European and other States (Source: ECOSOC).