Criteria and Steps for Civil Society Participation in Sessions of the Convention's Governing Bodies

Civil society organizations wishing to participate in the sessions of the Convention’s governing bodies are advised to submit one written request with the required documentation, mentioning the wish to participate in both the sessions of the Conference of Parties and the Intergovernmental Committee. 

Participation of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to the session of the Conference of Parties

In accordance with Rule 2.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Parties, intergovernmental organizations other than those referred to in Rule 2.2 and non-governmental organizations having interests and activities in the field covered by the Convention, may be invited by the Conference to participate in its work as observers, at all its sessions, at a single session or at a specific meeting of a session upon written request to the Director-General of UNESCO.

Participation of civil society representatives at the sessions of the Intergovernmental Committee

In accordance with Rule 7.4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Intergovernmental Committee and its Decision 1.EXT.IGC 5, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) having interests and activities in the field covered by the Convention who wish to participate as observers to a session or all sessions of the Committee, are asked to submit a written request to the Director-General of UNESCO. Only NGOs which meet the criteria provided by the Annex to the operational guidelines of Article 11 (Role and participation of civil society) are eligible. The request must be accompanied by the documents mentioned in paragraph 2 of the Annex.