The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on June 18, 2020 granted “consultative status” to the Federal Bar Association as a nongovernmental organization eligible to participate in policy dialogue with ECOSOC, its subsidiary bodies, human rights mechanisms of the UN, and special events of the General Assembly. With that action, the FBA joined a roster of several thousand nongovernmental organizations around the globe holding observer and participatory privileges in the world body.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the central body for coordinating the economic and social work of the United Nations and the UN System. Most of the work of the UN system is devoted to promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development. The Council recommends and directs activities aimed at promoting economic growth of developing countries, supporting human rights and fostering world cooperation to fight poverty and under-development. Subsidiary bodies within ECOSOC include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). ECOSOC coordinates their work, as well as the work of UN programs including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). More information about ECOSOC may be found here.
Consultative status at the UN will permit credentialed FBA leaders and members to observe UN-sponsored events, meetings, and activities. Because of the COVID pandemic, all current UN meetings and events are being hosted virtually on the UN website.
When appropriate, the UN will resume in-person events with the use of ground passes for entry into its facilities in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. A limited number of ground passes will be made available to the FBA. FBA leaders and members, in FBA organizational or personal capacity, will be able to apply for annual and temporary ground passes, pursuant to Policy 1-17, as adopted by the FBA Board of Directors.
For more information, contact grc@fedbar.org.
Consultative Status Resources
Policy No 1-17 UN ECOSOC FINAL
Application for UN Grounds Pass
Application for UN Grounds Pass Activity Report