The General Assembly,
Emphasizing the intergovernmental character of the United Nations and the exclusive right of the member states to make decisions,
Recalling its resolution 57/300 of 20 December 2002, concurring with the Secretary General's intention to convene a panel of eminent persons to review the relationship between the United Nations and civil society,
Noting that the deliberations at the United Nations meetings have become richer and more diverse with the participation of the civil society,
Recognizing the importance of expanding and deepening of the relationship between the United Nations and civil society, building on recent experiences,
Recalling the arrangements made for civil society participation in the major United Nations conferences, summits and Special Sessions,
Also recalling its decision[1] to convene informal interactive hearings in June 2005 in New York with civil society organizations, as an input to the preparatory process of the high level Plenary Meeting of its sixtieth session;
Welcomes the report[2] of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations, chaired by Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil;
Welcomes the report[3] of the Secretary General in response to the report of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations;
Encourages civil society to organize themselves around broad networks focusing on specific issues to facilitate the participation in United Nations activities;
Decides to invite accredited civil society organizations to attend and participate in the meetings of the Main Committees of the General Assembly, leaving for consideration at a later stage the participation in the plenary;
Decides to convene a two-day, informal, interactive hearing in the Main Committees with civil society prior to the opening of the General Assembly each year;
Also decides to hold similar meetings before major events, including before the high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS on 2 June 2005;
Encourages the Security Council to increase its contact with relevant civil society representatives through, inter alia, more frequent use of the "Arria formula" and to invite more frequently representatives of civil society from developing countries;
Urges the Secretary General in cooperation with the United Nations Development Group to further enhance civil society involvement with the United Nations system, particularly at the country level;
Welcomes with appreciation the establishment of a trust fund to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations at the country level in developing countries and to finance additional capacity in the office of the Resident Coordinator;
Urges Member States, foundations, and others to support this trust fund generously;
Appreciates the progress made by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of the Economic and Social Council in improving its working methods;
Decides to establish an ad-hoc working group to explore proposals for a single system of civil society accreditation for all United Nations intergovernmental bodies, including the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as well as conferences;
Welcomes the steps taken by the Secretariat to intensify its dialogue with civil society organizations;
Also welcomes the Secretary Generals decision to explore how the Department of Public Information's work with civil society could be better linked to the priorities of the intergovernmental organs so as to enhance its relevance and impact;
Expresses appreciation for the Non-Governmental Liaison Service, which provides information and outreach in regard to the work of the United Nations and support to civil society that engage in United Nations;
Welcomes the establishment of an expanded Partnership Office to enable better coordination and facilitation of the Organization's engagement with civil society.
