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1993/215 



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Economic and Social Council

Distr: General
12 February 1993
Original: English

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1993/215. Procedural arrangements for the Commission on Sustainable Development

At its 3rd plenary meeting, on 12 February 1993, the Economic and Social Council:

  1. Decided that, with the following supplementary arrangements, the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council should apply to the Commission on Sustainable Development:

    Participation of and consultation with specialized agencies and participation of other intergovernmental organizations

      1. While the participation of and consultation with specialized agencies and the participation of other intergovernmental organizations are governed by rules 71 to 74 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council,/12 the Commission on Sustainable Development or a subsidiary organ thereof shall invite relevant intergovernmental organizations within and outside the United Nations system, including multilateral financial institutions, to appoint special representatives to the Commission to serve as focal points for the Commission's members and the Secretariat.

      Representation of and consultation with non-governmental organizations

      2. Representation of and consultation with non-governmental organizations would be governed by the following arrangements, which would supplement, solely for the purposes of the Commission, rules 75 and 76 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council:/12

      1. Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council, category I or II, or relevant and competent non-governmental organizations on the Roster may designate authorized representatives to be present at and observe the meetings of the Commission and its subsidiary organs;

      2. These non-governmental organizations may, at their own expense, make written presentations to the Commission and its subsidiary organs, through the Secretariat, in the official languages of the United Nations, as they deem appropriate. Such written presentations will not be issued as official documents;

      3. These non-governmental organizations may be given an opportunity to briefly address the meetings of the Commission and its subsidiary organs. Taking into account the number of non-governmental organizations expressing a desire to be accorded that opportunity, the Chairman of the Commission or its subsidiary organ may request the non-governmental organizations concerned to address the meetings through one or more spokespersons. Any oral intervention by a representative of a non-governmental organization shall be made at the discretion of the Chairman of the Commission or its subsidiary organ and with the consent of the members of the Commission or its subsidiary organ, as the case may be;

      4. Non-governmental organizations shall not have any negotiating role in the work of the Commission and its subsidiary organs;

      5. The Commission may consult with and/or hear, as appropriate, non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Council, category I or II, or relevant and competent non-governmental organizations on the Roster either directly or through a committee or committees established for that purpose;

      6. The relevance and competence of non-governmental organizations to be included in the Roster shall be determined by the Council on the recommendation of the Secretary-General;

  2. Requested the Commission to encourage equitable representation of non-governmental organizations from the developed and developing countries and from all regions, and also to strive to ensure a fair balance between non-governmental organizations with an environment focus and those with a development focus;

  3. Decided that any non-governmental organization which was accredited to participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development by the conclusion of its fourth session could apply for and should be granted Roster status, subject to approval by the Council and bearing in mind the provisions of Article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations;

  4. Invited non-governmental organizations, with a view to enhancing their effective and coordinated contribution to the work of the Commission and to the follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in general, to consider or continue organizing themselves in various constituencies and interest groups and to set up non-governmental networks, including electronic networks, for the exchange of relevant information and documentation;

  5. Decided further, in the light of paragraph 2 of the supplementary arrangements outlined above and Council decision 1993/207 of 12 February 1993, to make the following changes to the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council:/12

    1. In footnote 1, add "Commission on Sustainable Development";

    2. Footnote 4 should read:

      "4. Not applicable to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs or the Commission on Sustainable Development, which are composed of States whose representatives are appointed by Governments without consultation with the Secretary-General and without confirmation by the Council.";

    3. Add a footnote to rules 75 and 76, inserting indicator after "Representation" and "Consultation", to read:

      "The terms of representation of and consultations with the non-governmental organizations in the Commission on Sustainable Development have been further determined by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 1993/215 of 12 February 1993."


Notes

12/ E/5975/Rev.1.