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Back to: Eighth
Session of the Ad Hoc Committee
Ad Hoc Committee - Main Page
The process of registration will begin on Friday 11 August at 9.30 am (until 4.00 pm) at the Visitor’s Lobby (First Avenue and 46th Street). On Monday, 14 August 2006 registration will take place between 8.00 am until 4.00 pm. Registration will be conducted from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m from Tuesday 15 August throughout the duration of the meeting.
The Registration Desk may close everyday from 12:30p.m. to 2:00p.m. for lunch-break. Exceptionally, registration may be conducted during lunch-break if a large number of people are still in line.
Participants interested in attending only side-events held from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. should be reminded to register prior to the actual time of those side-events, since the Registration Desk may be close at lunch time.
The Letter of Confirmation sent to pre-registered participants and a photo identification document are required to facilitate the issuance of ground-passes. Arrangements for issuance of ground-passes are offered as general guidelines. They may be adjusted depending on the pace of the registration process.
Please note that registration arrangements may be adjusted as required during the process.
By its resolution A/56/168 establishing the Ad Hoc Committee, the General Assembly invited, inter alia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an interest in the matter to make contribution to the work entrusted to the Committee, based on the practice of the United Nations. Participation by NGOs in the work of the Committee is regulated by General Assembly resolution A/56/510.
The present Information Note provides guidelines for non-governmental organizations interested in attending the eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee. It contains information on accreditation, pre-registration and other participation procedures.
NGOs wishing to participate in the work of the Committee need:
Participation means the actual involvement of NGOs in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee during its public meetings. Involvement of NGOs usually means making oral statements in accordance with rules and procedures.
In the report of its first session (document A/57/357), the Ad Hoc Committee set modalities for participation of accredited NGOs in its open meetings. The Ad Hoc Committee decided that representatives from accredited NGOs may participate in the work of the Committee by:
In the annex III of the report of its fourth session (document A/59/360), the Ad Hoc Committee set modalities for the participation of accredited NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions in its informal consultations closed meetings during the fourth and fifth session. The Ad Hoc Committee decided to invite intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions to be present. The Committee, however, also made provisions for the fact that meetings closed to those organizations might be required at some point.
Accreditation is the formal process by which NGOs are allowed to participate in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee. Accreditation is granted to organizations and not to individuals. NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) are automatically accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee. However, they should pre-register for each session. All other NGOs must apply for accreditation in order to participate in the sessions of the Committee. Accreditation to the Committee need only be done once and applies for all sessions.
List of NGOs Accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee
There is no form for applying for accreditation. NGOs wishing to be accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee should submit an application package containing the following information:
The application package, with complete information, should be sent by all NGOs, except those NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC or those already accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee at its previous sessions. It is recommended that express mail and courier service be used to maintain the strict deadlines for accreditation. Please note that the application package should be sent to the Chief of the NGO Unit Division for Social Policy and Development (see address below).
The United Nations Secretariat reviews applications against criteria outlined in paragraphs 44-45 of ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, and provides a list of NGOs seeking accreditation to States members of the Ad Hoc Committee four weeks prior to each session of Committee to receive their comments.
Please note that the deadline for submitting an application for accreditation to the eighth session is 1 June 2006.
Kindly submit your Application Packages to:
Mr. Yao Ngoran, Chief, NGO Unit
Division for Social Policy and Development
2 United Nations Plaza
Room DC2-1324
New York, NY 10017
Tel.: 1 (212) 963 3175
Fax: 1 (212) 963 3062
Email: ngo@un.org
Accreditation is granted once and applies to all future sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee. However, NGOs need to pre-register for each session of the Ad hoc Committee. Pre-registration should be done at least one month before the session begins. A letter is sent to the NGO confirming each representative’s participation. The Secretariat does not send messages (by e-mail or fax) to acknowledge receipt of pre-registration forms, except the confirmation letter. NGO representatives should be patient and allow to Secretariat Staff time for the completion of their pre-registration.
Registration is a necessary step for all representatives of NGOs attending meetings organized by the United Nations. Issuance of ground-passes for NGO representatives is conditioned upon registration. NGO representatives in possession of annual ground-passes should also register. The process of pre-registration and registration allows for proper planning to address accessibility, logistical and security concerns.
It is strongly recommended that you use the Online Pre-Registration in order to expedite your application, on the link below:
Should there be any issues with the Online Pre-Registration, please use the forms below:
Pre-registration form for the Eighth Session: MS Word | Text
Kindly submit your Pre-registration Application to:
Mr. Yao Ngoran, Chief, NGO Unit
Division for Social Policy and Development
2 United Nations Plaza
Room DC2-1324
New York, NY 10017
Tel.: 1 (212) 963 3175
Fax: 1 (212) 963 3062
Email: ngo@un.org
Arrangements for travel, including visa procedures, accommodation and transportation are the responsibility of NGOs and not of the United Nations Secretariat. NGOs need to deal directly with representatives of the host Government. The United Nations will send a confirmation letter to accredited NGOs, once their representatives have completed the process of pre-registration. This may be used to request a visa from the United States authorities. The Secretariat is in no position to assist in the visa process.
By its resolution A/57/229, the General Assembly established a Voluntary Fund to support the participation of accredited NGOs from developing countries, in particular from the least developed countries, and invited Governments, civil society and the private sector to contribute to the fund.
Please note that only representatives of NGOs accredited to the Ad Hoc Committee or holding consultative status with ECOSOC, from developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, can apply for funding.
Note: The deadline for application for financial assistance to the eighth session is 1 June 2006.
Applications for funding should be addressed to:
Secretariat for the Disability Convention
Division for Social Policy and Development/DESA
United Nations Secretariat, DC2-1382, New York, NY 10017
Fax. 1 (212) 963 0111
Email: enable@un.org
(If you do not receive a reply acknowledging the receipt of your application within 7 working days, you are advised to kindly resubmit it)