At
the first formal meeting of the session, the Chairperson encourages
the Committee to adopt its decisions by consensus. If requested,
the Committee decides on proposals by a recorded roll-call
vote. Otherwise, it takes action through resolutions and decisions
by consensus. The Committee's decisions are considered recommendations,
often in the form of draft decisions calling for action by
the Council. Once an application from an NGO has been reviewed
and approved by the Committee it is only considered recommended
for consultative status. As soon as possible during its next
meeting, the Economic and Social Council reviews these recommendations,
takes note of the Committe's report and makes the decisions
final. It is only after the recommendation becomes an ECOSOC
decision that the NGO is granted the consultative status.
The
Committee meets annually for three weeks (Council decision
1995/304 of 26 July 1995 and 1997/297 of 23 July 1997). The
Committee also holds informal meetings prior to each session
for the purpose of clarifying matters arising from applications
for consultative status. If necessary, with the approval of
the Council, the Committee holds a resumed session of up to
two weeks annually. Informal consultations may take place
on an ad hoc basis.
In
accordance with rule 18 of the ECOSOC Rules of Procedure,
each year, at the commencement of its first meeting, the Committee
elects its Chairperson and four Vice-Chairpersons. The Chairperson
is usually re-elected for another year. In accordance with
rule 19, Bureau members are eligible for re-election. One
of the Vice-Chairpersons is later designated also to serve
as Rapporteur.
The
Bureau is always elected on the basis of equitable geographical
distribution. A Vice-Chairperson may not be elected Chairperson
at the next session. The rotation of Chairpersonship on a
geographical basis has not been strictly established. |
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Structure
The consideration of applications for consultative status and
requests for reclassification submitted by NGOs;