In the face of pressing global challenges, the power and potential of civil society organisations (CSOs) remain essential to the effectiveness of the United Nations. Civil society has always been at the forefront of significant global change. From helping to eradicate smallpox and polio on the ground to forging landmark agreements on sustainable development and climate change, the impact of CSOs is undeniable. Yet as we approach the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, there is a worrying drift from collaboration to restriction in the relationship between the UN and civil society.

We strongly agree with the emphasis placed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the indispensable role of civil society. His recent remarks at the General Assembly, including the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals and the Summit on Climate Ambition, have affirmed the need for an integrated effort. However, for several years, civil society voices have found themselves on the periphery, with challenges ranging from limited access at key UN sessions such as the General Assembly's High Level Week to restrictive participation in other key UN forums such as the High Level Political Forum, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the Internet Governance Forum which concluded last week.

For the fourth year running, as part of the #UNmute initiative, a civil society coalition has voiced its concerns about these persistent problems. A joint letter, signed by Access Now, Action for Sustainable Development, Amnesty International, CIVICUS, Civil Society in Development (CISU), Democracy without Borders, Forus, Global Focus, Greenpeace International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam International, TAP Network and UNA-UK, highlights the glaring disparities in access and space between NGOs and UN staff or government delegates. It highlights the need to move from token recognition to active and equitable participation.

As we face urgent global challenges, now is the time more than ever to harness the untapped potential of CSOs to make the UN more effective.

Access to the UN: The obstacles

At the heart of global policy-making, CSOs have long been seen as champions of grassroots advocacy. The central role they played in shaping the 2030 Agenda is testament to their influence. They have championed the interconnectedness of global goals and argued for tangible indicators to monitor progress. Yet as the world changes, these same organisations find themselves navigating a maze of challenges in the corridors of the UN.

CSOs often worry about inconsistencies in access to the UN's vast infrastructure. Processes appear asymmetrical, favouring some groups and marginalising others. This operational ambiguity affects the effectiveness of CSOs and their ability to work seamlessly with other stakeholders. Access, or the blatant lack of it, remains a major concern.

This year, while world leaders and elite delegates flocked to the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, CSO representatives, the very advocates for the realities on the ground, often found themselves on the periphery, their participation limited to a "weekend of action on the SDGs" disconnected from the official agenda and locked in a bubble between external stakeholders, with almost no engagement with governments and country delegates.

Very often, CSO representation was sporadic, limited by bureaucracy and overshadowed by high-level state actors. The last UNGA session illustrated this disparity, with CSOs jostling for limited passes to a particular event amid a sea of privileged government badges.

Presenting the Asian perspective, Jyotsna Mohan Singh, representing the Asia Development Alliance, points out that "Over the years, we have seen the UN open its doors to civil society, but lately those doors seem to be closing slightly. Stronger collaboration is not only desirable, it is necessary. Engaging with the UN should not be a labyrinth where only a few know the way. We need transparent and inclusive processes that do not marginalise any CSO on the basis of size or origin. Civil society sees the UN as a beacon of hope, a platform for global cooperation, where the voices of the marginalised and the aspirations of humanity are heard, leading to a world of equality, sustainability and true peace."

Access to the UN is influenced not only by Member State behaviour and defined modalities, but also by the availability of information on relevant opportunities, the ability to prioritise engagement and the resources needed to travel to key advocacy and decision-making centres. For example, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has published a report highlighting the difficulties faced by human rights defenders in accessing and cooperating with UN bodies and processes. The report highlights instances of intimidation, restrictions and reprisals that limit the space for civil society action within the United Nations.

Creating an enabling environment for civil society, both at national and UN levels, is essential to enable participation and to make civil society an integrated partner.

But the challenges do not stop at the doors of the UN headquarters. Throughout the world, the civic space for these organisations is limited. Governments, while openly proclaiming their support for civil liberties, are increasingly restricting these same rights, with an upsurge in cases of reprisals against those who cooperate with the United Nations. 

Speaking about the situation in his country, Zia Ur Rehman, National Coordinator of the Pakistan Development Alliance explains that "In Pakistan, we are experiencing first-hand the urgency of transforming global agreements into local action. Although we have ratified frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the SDGs, their true transformation into local policies remains elusive. Our recent Observatory of Civic Space in Pakistan paints a bleak picture of the current civic landscape. Civil rights defenders, constrained by challenges or forced into self-censorship, navigate a landscape where freedom of expression, assembly and public participation are continually under threat. These realities underline the vital importance of the United Nations recognising and amplifying civil society voices such as ours. As National Chair of the Pakistan Development Alliance, I echo the sentiment of many in our country and around the world: if the UN is serious about creating global harmony and growth, it must ensure that the voices of nations facing these challenges are not only heard, but actively integrated into the decision-making process. This is not just a local call, but a global imperative. As our campaign underlines, the time has come to amplify and engage civil society at the United Nations. Civil society has always contributed to UN global agendas and processes such as the SDGs, but its role in decision-making and accountability processes is symbolic, we want dignified positions in UN decision-making bodies."

The digital age further complicates this dynamic. The post-COVID world, despite its technological advances, has revealed a marked digital divide. CSOs, particularly those from under-represented regions, grapple with this disparity and often struggle to make their voices heard in virtual forums.

This juxtaposition of the historical influence of CSOs and their contemporary challenges resonates all the more as UN Secretary General António Guterres insists on the need for their active participation. It remains to be seen whether the gulf between praise and collaboration will finally be bridged.

Amplifying civil society: Our vision for change

We envision a future where the role of CSOs is not only recognised, but actively strengthened. As outlined in the UNmute recommendations for civil society, supported by 52 states and over 300 civil society organisations from around the world, we call for an end to the bureaucratic quagmire that often stifles CSO participation in crucial UN meetings, by facilitating processes for direct participation and engagement of civil society actors in key UN meetings - not at 'fringe' events, but as part of official summits and events.

As Mavalow Christelle Kalhoule, civil society leader and President of Forus and SPONG, the Burkina Faso NGO network, puts it, "In a world increasingly driven by technology, many of our colleagues from under-represented regions find themselves mute, not for lack of passion or knowledge, but because of the digital divide and lack of resources and access. To truly champion global voices, we need to bridge this gap and ensure that civil society has the tools and support it needs to engage meaningfully in political processes and amplify the voices of the myriad communities and NGOs it represents. Civil society participation must be simplified and facilitated; it is also about real political will. Genuine progress within the framework of the United Nations depends on the real inclusion of civil society. Every decision taken without their engagement risks missing the heartbeat of the communities we serve. Civil society does more than represent organisational agendas; it is the amplified voice of communities; it echoes their hopes, needs and aspirations. To silence or exclude this voice is to silence the collective aspirations of millions of people around the world. The purpose of the UNmute initiative is not to raise a few voices, but to ensure that the chorus of civil society is heard loud and clear at every meeting of the United Nations."

The appointment of a special UN civil society envoy would be an immediate step forward. This person would act as a direct channel between CSOs and the UN, ensuring that the voices of civil society are not only heard, but integrated into decision-making processes.

The UN's current ambitions for institutional reform offer a golden opportunity. This phase of introspection represents a crucial moment to integrate civil society into the heart of its future efforts, ensuring that its voice and expertise remain at the centre of the reform dialogue.

In addition, given the digital divide and unequal travel opportunities suffered by many CSOs, particularly those based in the global majority, it is vital to establish mechanisms for virtual and face-to-face engagement. As the world continues to adapt to the realities of post-pandemic operations, inclusivity should be at the forefront of UN-CSO collaborations.

The clock is ticking, and in our quest for a prosperous and sustainable future, the integration of CSOs into the heart of the UN is not only beneficial, it is essential.

The role of civil society is essential to achieving the vision of the United Nations. We are not only defending our voice, but also that of the millions of people we represent. As we push for meaningful change, we stand united in urging the global community to amplify the voice of the civil society.