Annual sessions of the Executive Committee are public and, in addition to members, are attended by representatives of members States of the United Nations, representatives of organizations of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs. Under the Rules of Procedure, non-members of the Executive Committee may be granted the right to speak by the Chairman. Where observer States are concerned this has, unlike in the governing bodies of many United Nations agencies, become to all intents and purposes an acquired right. Nevertheless, observers would not be entitled to vote were that ever to happen (to date, all decisions and conclusions adopted by the Executive Committee have been by consensus).

Meetings of the Standing Committee are open to non-member States who request observer status. In 1996, the Executive Committee authorized the High Commissioner to draw up a list of intergovernmental and international organizations to be invited to Standing Committee meetings, and, in 1997, the Standing Committee adopted a decision admitting NGO observers (while reaffirming that consultations on decisions and conclusions should be restricted to ExCom members). This arrangement has been in application since that time.

(a)  Governments

States that are not members of the Executive Committee but wish to participate as observers in the inter–sessional meetings of the Standing Committee should apply in writing to the Secretariat by fax to (41) 22.739.7348. These applications will be transmitted to the plenary session in accordance with established Executive Committee procedures. Observer status is only valid for the duration of one year of inter–sessional meetings. Observer status is decided upon under the relevant agenda item during the plenary session and included in the report of the session.

(b)  Intergovernmental and international organizations

At its plenary session, the Executive Committee approves a list of intergovernmental and international organizations to be invited by the High Commissioner to participate as observers in meetings of the Standing Committee.

(c)  Non–governmental organizations

Non–governmental organizations that wish to attend Standing Committee meetings and which register for the sessions of the Executive Committee should contact the Coordinator, NGO Liaison Unit, as soon as possible following the annual ExCom session.