Forum for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Status

In Coordination with the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) organized a Forum for 40 NGOs on the ECOSOC Consultative status.

The Round Table Forum provided an opportunity for the NGOs operating in Kurdistan Region to familiarize with the relevant requirements and procedures for obtaining the Consultative status. Consultative status provides NGOs with access to not only to ECOSOC but also to the Human Rights Council and many subsidiary bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations.

Mr. Nazar Abdelgadir, Executive Director of the Geneva Institute for Human Rights, and Mr. Akram Jamo, Director of the NGOs Directorate in the KRG elaborated on the national and international framework for NGOs, while Mr. Reda Abdulaziz, International Consultant and Mr. Hogr Chato, Head of Trustee Council of Public Aid Organization, have shared national and regional experiences with regard to the ECOSOC Consultative status.

Ms. Roueida El Hage, Head of Human Rights Office in Kurdistan Region of Iraq emphasized ‘the importance of ECOSOC status for NGOs operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to allow for their voices to be heard on the international level. She added that ECOSOC would provide NGOs with the opportunity to attend and make written and oral statements at international conferences and events, organize side events, and have opportunities to network and lobby’.

This event was organized as part of a series of activities that the Human Rights Office of UNAMI is providing to support regional institutions and civil society actors in protecting, promoting, and fulfilling human rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.