Special Session on COVID 19: Programme details (as at 27 November)

Draft provisional programme details for the Special Session of the General Assembly in response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic, to be held on 3-4 December 2020, have now been made available.  

In addition to the President of the General Assembly and the UN Secretary-General, statements will be made in the Opening Session on 3 December by the President of the Economic and Social Council, the President of the Security Council for the month of December 2020 (South Africa) and the Chair of Non-Aligned Countries (Azerbaijan). This will be followed by the General Debate, with a “limited number of representatives from relevant organizations attending the session…”, time permitting.

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Special Session on COVID 19: Update 26 November

NGO participation in Special Session

The deadline for applying for participating or for speaking in the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) for consultative NGOs has now closed.

There are a number of questions for which we have asked for clarification from the Office of the President of the General Assembly. They include:

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Special Session on COVID-19: How can CSOs become involved at the national level?

In the coming days civil society organizations (CSOs) can play an important role at the national level in promoting the 31^st Special Session of the General Assembly  in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, about which very little is generally known. 

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Special Session on COVID-19: What happens now?

So far, however, we have not been able to find information as to the selection process for choosing which organizations will be able to participate in the general debate, time permitting, nor in the interactive dialogue.  The registration process for NGOs in consultative status also remains unclear.  

As of Monday 23 November, there will only be 10 days to the Opening segment of the Special Session. 

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Special Session on COVID-19: Programme information, as at 21 November

The President of the General Assembly has written a letter with a concept note for the Special Session, including further information on the content and programme.

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Special Session on COVID-19: President of UN General Assembly posts list of CSOs etc applying to participate

The President of the UN General Assembly circulated on 19 November the list of NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions and the private sector that have applied to participate in the Special Session.

As stated in his letter, “In the absence of any objection by 25 November 2020 at 3 pm” the list will be approved.

There is no further information at this time about the registration process for NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC.

Special Session on COVID-19: Update on registration process for NGOs in consultative status

We have been informed that there will be a separate portal for the registration of NGOs in consultative status, as soon as the Office of the President of the General Assembly has confirmed the format of the session. Information will be made available, as well as being posted on the relevant UN website at: http://csonet.org/index.php?menu=73.

Special Session on COVID-19: Letter to President of the UN General Assembly

Below is the updated list of organizations that have supported the letter to the President of the UN General Assembly: 

Women’s Major Group

NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC

General consultative status

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Special Session on COVID-19: Latest information on the General Assembly Special Session in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 3 – 4 December 2020

In his letter, dated 11 November 2020, the President of the UN General Assembly provided further information on its Special Session in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which will be held on 3 and 4 December 2020, from 09.00 to 21.00 New York time at United Nations Headquarters in New York, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 75/4. It will be at the level of Heads of State and Government and webcast live.  

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Special Session on COVID-19: Letter to President of the UN General Assembly

The following letter, signed by 60 organizations, has been sent to the President of the UN General Assembly, concerning participation of CSOs and other Stakeholders:

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