In a joint appeal ahead of the April 2026 elections, the groups urged regional blocs to nominate more candidates than available seats for the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations, widely known as the Committee on NGOs.

The New York-based committee, composed of 19 UN Member States, is responsible for reviewing and deciding on applications from NGOs seeking ECOSOC consultative status, a prerequisite for formally participating in UN meetings and processes. In effect, the committee acts as a gatekeeper for civil society access to the United Nations system.

“The Committee on NGOs plays a pivotal role in determining which civil society organisations can obtain ECOSOC consultative status,” the appeal states. Without that status, organisations are largely shut out from engaging meaningfully in UN deliberations on issues ranging from human rights and climate change to health, development and peacebuilding.

The coalition argues that the credibility and integrity of the committee depend heavily on how its members are elected. Yet most of the upcoming regional slates are either already closed or risk being non-competitive, meaning the number of candidates matches the number of available seats. In such cases, candidates are effectively guaranteed election, leaving Member States without a real choice at the ballot.

Only one regional group — the Eastern European Group — currently has a competitive slate, according to the letter. The organisations describe this as a “significant democratic deficit” in a process that shapes global civic participation.

“When regional slates are closed and the number of candidates equals the number of seats, there is no real choice,” the coalition writes. “This undermines accountability and weakens confidence in a body that plays a crucial role in enabling civil society participation at the UN.”

The signatories outline three main reasons why competitive elections are essential.

First, they argue, competition fosters accountability. Presenting more candidates than seats allows Member States and civil society to assess contenders’ records and commitments to protecting civic space. It creates space for scrutiny and informed decision-making, rather than automatic endorsements.

Second, competitive elections strengthen the legitimacy of the Committee on NGOs itself. A contested race signals that seats are earned, not assumed, reinforcing the principles of transparency, inclusiveness and participation embedded in the UN Charter.

Third, the groups stress that the composition of the committee has direct consequences for whose voices are heard within the UN. Civil society organisations often provide on-the-ground expertise and perspectives that governments alone cannot offer. A committee perceived as fair and representative, they argue, is essential to ensuring diverse viewpoints are not sidelined.

In their appeal, the organisations call on regional groups to encourage additional Member States, particularly those with strong records of supporting civil society to stand for election. They also urge that candidacies be publicly confirmed well in advance of March 2026 to allow sufficient time for review and engagement.

Ultimately, the coalition frames the issue as larger than a single committee election. By putting forward competitive slates, regional groups can “reinforce the principle that civil society access and participation are essential to a strong, effective multilateral system,” the letter states.

As debates over civic space and multilateralism intensify globally, the outcome of these elections could shape not only the composition of a UN committee, but also the breadth of voices able to participate in the international arena.