Consultative Status
at The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
AT THE
UNITED
NATIONS
The IPA advocates and works within various NGO Committees and working groups at the United Nations, including the NGOs focused on Social Development (CSocD), the Status of Women (CSW), Financing for Development (FfD), Trafficking in Persons (STIP), Migration (CoM), as well as the Religious at the UN group (RUN), the Justice Coalition for Religious (JCoR), and the Working Group on Girls (WGG). Our UN specific Advocacy Focus for 2024-2026 centers on the elimination of violence against women & children. We work to influence policies & decisions that support those in need globally, with a foundation rooted in our efforts to gather & report on the lived experiences of the poor & marginalised at the grassroots level. The IPA has a full-time representative at the UN, Dr Despoina Afroditi Milaki. She is based in New York and works on the above priority issues.
At the United Nations, we leverage our consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to advocate for systemic change on a global scale. We work to influence policies and decisions that align with our mission to uphold human rights, promote ecological justice, and address the needs of marginalized communities such as women and children.
IPA actively participates in UN processes, such as the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, to amplify the voices of those most impacted by poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Through our UN Representative, we deliver oral statements, submit written statements, meet with UN Member States delegates and UN officials, make recommendations on UN declarations and resolutions as they are being negotiated, host/sponsor events at the UN, and submit reports and comments to national review processes
Advocacy for Justice and Human Rights:
We bring the voices of marginalized communities to the international stage, advocating for policies that address the various issues they face.
Engagement with UN Bodies and Mechanisms:
We participate in meetings, events, discussions, reviews, and sessions such as the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, to influence global policies and actions.
Collaboration with Other NGOs:
We work with other NGOs and coalitions at the UN to amplify our collective impact, particularly on shared concerns and common advocacy priorities.
Raising Awareness:
We uses our consultative status to inform our members and broader networks about UN processes and global issues, empowering them to take action locally and globally.
By combining our grassroots work with global advocacy, we hope to contribute to systemic change and ensure that the voices of those we serve are heard at the highest levels of global advocacy!
OUR HISTORY AT THE UN:
We are proud to have a long history with the United Nations (UN). We were first accredited with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in 1997 and later received consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2000. ECOSOC gives rights to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the IPA, so that we can both observe and contribute to its work. We are able to use this consultative status to influence policies at the United Nations.
.png)
Since early 2020, the International Presentation Association has prioritized the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children as its dedicated UN Advocacy Focus. Recognizing the urgent need to address gender-based violence in all its forms, we actively engage with UN processes, collaborate with partner organizations, and amplify the voices of those affected. Through advocacy, education, and policy recommendations, we strive to influence global and local actions that protect the dignity and rights of women and children, ensuring a world free from violence and exploitation.
OUR UN ADVOCACY FOCUS:
.png)
-
NGO Committees on Stop Trafficking in Persons
-
Status of Women
-
Social Development
-
Migration
-
Financing for Development
-
Religious at the UN
-
Justice Coalition of Religious
-
The Working Group on Girls.
NGO COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS WE HAVE SERVED ON:
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE SDGs
In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. These are universal goals for everyone, everywhere. Their motto is to ‘leave no one behind’. Our work sits within the SDGs framework, so that we can ensure we are contributing towards achieving these goals and having the maximum impact.
The IPA is committed to working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three IPA Priority Actions - to honor and advance the rights of women and children, the rights of the earth, and the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples - are closely aligned with specific SDGs and their associated targets, as illustrated in this image.
