United Nations System and NGOs (in general)

NGOs and the United Nations System

Since its founding in 1945, the United Nations has maintained relations with NGOs, who represent the concerns of civil society throughout the world. These relationships have been formalized in a number of United Nations resolutions, which derive from the United Nations Charter itself. As stated in Article 71 of the Charter: “The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence.” Indeed, the preamble of the U.N. Charter begins “We, the peoples of the United Nations,” which has come to mean both Member States and civil society. The United Nations system includes a whole network of international organizations, treaties and conventions that were created by the United Nations. In addition to such obvious organizations as UNEP, UNDP, UNCTAD, and ECOSOC, also included are specialized, autonomous organizations such as WHO and ILO.

The relationship between NGOs and the United Nations is a dynamic one, which continues to evolve. The current situation is vastly different than the time when the United Nations was founded.

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