NGO Accreditation Process
Climate Change
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Biodiversity
UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Desertification
UN Convention to Combat Desertification

Articles 4.1:i and 7.2:l, specifically call for cooperation with non-governmental bodies in achieving the objectives of the convention.

NGOs are allowed to be represented at the COP sessions as observers (See Article 7.6). These 'Observer Organizations' will have to inform the Secretariat of their wish to be present at the COP sessions, if they are qualified in fields related to climate change. There is a process of accreditation to the convention that is handled by the secretariat.

Full text of the Convention
Liaison with Observer Organizations at the UNFCCC Secretariat:
Azza Taalab - ataalab@unfccc.de
NGO participation in the Convention processes is prominently mentioned in many places, including the Preamble. For example, Articles 13:b encourages cooperation with NGOs to carry out specific tasks within the Convention.

NGOs are allowed to be represented at the COP sessions as observers (See Article 23.4-j). These 'Observer Organizations' will have to inform the Secretariat of their wish to be present at the COP sessions, if they are qualified in fields related to biodiversity. There is a process of accreditation to the convention that is handled by the secretariat.

Full text of the Convention

Article 9.3 specifically encourages the Convention to cooperate with NGOs and other organizations, in accordance with their mandates and capabilities, to support the elaboration, implementation and follow-up of action programmes. Other Articles (eg. Articles 3:c, 5:d, 10.2:f, 13.1:f, 14.2, 16:d, 18.1, etc.)

NGOs are allowed to be represented at the COP sessions as observers (See Article 22.7). These 'Observer Organizations' will have to inform the Secretariat of their wish to be present at the COP sessions, if they are qualified in fields related to desertification. There is a process of accreditation to the convention that is handled by the secretariat.

Full text of the Convention
NGO Liaison Officer at the CCD Secretariat:
Ms. Sylvia Jampies,
email: sjampies@unccd.ch,
Tel (+41 22 9799410)
Fax (+41 22 9799030/031)
General Observations:
  • Only the Desertification Convention specifically mentions collaboration with the other two conventions
  • Private sector, international community, business and industry, research institutions, national institutions, et al. are identified and classified as "NGOs" under the Convention texts.
  • Collaboration with such NGOs is also implied in, for example, statements such as " ... and encourage international cooperation to supplement national efforts ... ", or " ... shall also promote cooperation in the training of personnel and exchange of experts. "
  • NGOs, of course, have a larger role to play in the implementation of the Convention at the national and local levels. Many of the Parties allow for direct NGO participation and representation in their activities, or in official delegations to the COPs.

Non-Governmental Organizations at the United Nations