Intergovernmental Negotiations And Decision Making At The - NGLS

A Guide to NGO Participationby Gretchen Sidhu*NGOs have been active in the United Nations since its founders committedthemselves to non-governmental participation. Article 71 ofthe UN Charter reads: “The Economic and Social Council may makesuitable arrangements for the consultation with non-governmentalorganizations which are concerned with matters within its competence.Such arrangements may be made with international organizationsand, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultationwith the Member of the United Nations concerned.”This article and the arrangements established by ECOSOC form thebasis for NGO engagement with governments at the UN and establish* Gretchen Sidhu has worked as a journalist and NGO activist covering the United Nations and an arrayof intergovernmental negotiations since 1994. She currently writes and edits publications on developmentissues for international institutions including the United Nations, the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank.