NGO Participation at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW): Frequently Asked Questions
Participation
Q: What is NGO participation at CSW?
A: NGO participation at CSW may include attendance at relevant meetings, observation of official proceedings, submission of written statements, delivery of oral statements where permitted, and participation in side events, in line with the arrangements for the session.
Eligibility
Q: Which NGOs are eligible to participate at CSW?
A: Only NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) are eligible to participate at CSW. Organizations without ECOSOC consultative status should consult the website of the NGO Branch, Department of Economic and Social Affairs: https://ecosoc.un.org/en/ngo/apply-for-consultative-status
Please note that the ECOSOC accreditation process is quite lengthy.
Q: Is UN Women involved in the ECOSOC accreditation process?
A: No. UN Women is not involved in the ECOSOC accreditation process. All queries concerning any matters pertaining consultative status should be directed to the NGO Branch through its contact portal: https://ecosoc.un.org/en/ngo/contact
Registration
Q: How do representatives of ECOSOC-accredited NGOs register for CSW?
A: Representatives of ECOSOC-accredited NGOs must complete the official registration process for the relevant CSW session using the Indico.UN platform. Registration is subject to the published timelines and deadlines for the session. Information will be posted on the NGO Registration page as and when available: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/ngo-participation/registration
Q: When does registration usually take place, and who approves representatives?
A: Registration is normally open from October until late January. All representatives must be both registered and approved by their organization’s conference focal point. It is the responsibility of each organization to ensure that its representatives are approved by the deadline. UN Women does not register, approve or reject representatives.
Q: How does my organization approve my registration for CSW?
A: Each ECOSOC accredited organization must designate a conference focal point on the iCSO site. The designated conference focal point must also have or create an Indico.UN account with the same email address that was designated on iCSO. Once designated, proceed to the Conference Focal Point page for the relevant CSW session on Indico.UN to access the approval area. If your organization’s conference focal point cannot access the approval area after being designated and logging in, please reach out to the support email address listed for the relevant session. Approvals via email will not be accepted.
Q: Are late registrations or approvals accepted?
A: No. Late registrations or approvals will not be accepted. Organizations should complete registration well in advance of the deadline and ensure that conference focal points have access to Indico.UN to approve pending registrations before the deadline.
Q: Once approved, what documentation do I receive?
A: Invitation letters are sent to all ECOSOC accredited organizations at the beginning of registration to the officially listed email address listed on iCSO. Representatives that have successfully been approved for the session will receive an automated Approval Letter from the Indico.UN system. There are no individual invitation letters.
Q: I have an annual NGO grounds pass, do I need to register for CSW?
A: While not mandatory to register for the session if you are in possession of a valid UN grounds pass, it is recommended to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information pertaining to the session. Additionally, only registered and approved representatives will be eligible to collect one the extremely limited tickets for the opening of the session and for the official meetings during the first 3 days of the session. These are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, one hour before the official meeting commences, and are one per organization while tickets last.
Q: Can you sponsor my participation at the session?
A: The United Nations will not pay for any expenses in connection with the participation of NGO representatives in the sessions of CSW. Such arrangements and costs are the exclusive responsibility of participants.
Q: I received an email saying that I have been selected to participate at CSW with all expenses paid, however I will have to pay for a specific hotel/flight and share my personal information. Is this legitimate?
A: No. This is a scam. Do not engage and if you have shared your personal information, you may wish to contact your relevant local authorities as well as your bank.
Q: Are there any fees to participate at CSW? Do I have to pay for my registration/approval?
A: The United Nations does not charge any fees for participation in the Commission on the Status of Women sessions. If you are being charged to participate, you may wish to report this to relevant authorities and the NGO Branch via their contact portal here: https://esango.un.org/civilsociety/displayCorrespondence.do?method=addPublicMessage
Q: I registered for the NGO CSW Forum, does this mean that I can access CSW?
A: No. The NGO CSW Forum is a completely separate entity and event that is not affiliated with the official proceedings taking place on UN premises. NGO CSW coordinates NGO parallel events. Any issues pertaining to Parallel Events or the Forum should be directed to NGO CSW.
Written and Oral Statements
Q: Can eligible NGOs submit written statements?
A: Yes. Eligible ECOSOC accredited NGOs may submit written statements in accordance with the procedures and deadlines established for the relevant session. Written statement submissions must comply with United Nations requirements on format, length, language and submission modality.
Q: Can NGOs deliver oral statements?
A: Oral statements may be permitted in specific contexts and are subject to the rules, time limits and selection procedures established for the session. Availability depends on the session format and the arrangements communicated for that year.
Q: What instructions should NGOs review before submitting statements?
A: NGOs should review the official instructions on eligibility, word limits, format, language and submission modalities. Dates and guidelines will be published as and when available: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/ngo-participation/written-and-oral-statements
Accessibility
Q: Where can participants request or find information on accessibility-related support?
A: Participants who require accessibility-related support should consult the relevant accessibility information webpage: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/ngo-participation/accessibility
Official Meetings
Q: Who may access official meetings?
A: Registered and approved representatives in possession of a valid UN grounds pass will have access to official meetings of the session, unless otherwise indicated. Relevant information regarding access will be communicated to all approved representatives prior to session commencement.
Side Events
Q: When will the schedule of side events be available?
A: The schedule of side events is usually available closer to the commencement of the session. It will be communicated to all approved representatives once it is published.
Q: Where should participants check for the most up-to-date information?
A: Arrangements for the session are subject to change at any time. Participants should consult the UN Women website and the Indico.UN registration page for the most up-to-date information.