Eminent Persons Panel on UN-Civil Society Relations
November 14, 2003
Interim statement by President Cardoso
Chair of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relations
Subject: Civil Society Access to the Official Documents System In October, President Cardoso wrote to the UN Secretary-General (SG) on an issue that the Panel has encountered considerably during its consultations – namely the suggestion that NGOs be given gratis access to the UN's Official Document System (ODS).
Civil society needs maximum access to UN information if they are to enhance their constructive contribution to the deliberative process. This is particularly the case for NGOs in developing countries – where the UN is regarded as an important but incomplete source of information. The panel has learnt that, at present, only about 10% of UN documents are available through the UN's external website - meaning that the bulk of documentation that is theoretically in the public domain is in practice difficult to access. Providing NGOs access to the ODS is essentially a budgetary matter, since to do so requires more powerful computer hardware. Hence, without prejudice to the full range of recommendations the panel will eventually make, President Cardoso has encouraged the SG to do what he can to ensure that this provision is financed through the coming year's budget allocation.
The Secretary-General has responded positively and has indicated his intention to urge the General Assembly to approve the necessary budget plans for this.
More Information on NGOs
More Information on NGOs and the UN
More Information on NGOs and the UN Official Documents System
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