Nongovernment Organizations and Civil Society

The first avenue by which NGOs took a role in formal United Nations deliberations was through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). There are currently 3051 organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC. Search through the UN database* or download the list* [ PDF ].

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions* (ICFTU) has established regional agencies to deal with issues peculiar to workers and trade unions in their respective geographical locations. The ICFTU-Asian and Pacific Regional Organisation* (ICFTU-APRO) promotes the dignity of workers in the Asia-Pacific by developing a stronger trade union movement that will help equip workers with the skills to protect fundamental rights. View ICFTU's list of affiliates*[ PDF ] worldwide.

The World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) is an international organization that provides the mechanism and support needed for NGOs to connect and cooperate. WANGO maintains a Worldwide NGO Directory*.