"We are pleased that the Committee on Non-Governmental Organization has recommended that we be granted a new, higher-level consultative status at the United Nations. It reflects a growing consensus that animal welfare matters and should have a place of importance on the global agenda.
World Animal Protection (previously WPSA) was the only organisation recommended for such designation during the current session, and once formalised, we will become the only international animal welfare organisation with this status. We have held Special consultative status since 1971.
Consultative status provides NGOs with access to not only ECOSOC, but also to its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, as well as special events organized by the President of the General Assembly. Currently 3,735 NGOs enjoy consultative status with ECOSOC with only 147 designated at the General level.
Mike Baker, Chief Executive of World Animal Protection said: "We are pleased that the Committee on Non-Governmental Organization has recommended that World Animal Protection be granted a new, higher-level consultative status at the United Nations. It reflects a growing consensus that animal welfare matters and should have a place of importance on the global agenda."
Arjan van Houwelingen, Senior Public Affairs Manager added: "This is a significant achievement, which reflects on our collective work and reputation as an organisation, particularly the UN engagement team. We can look at this as a first step towards acknowledgement that animal welfare is a concern and matters to the UN. Now our task will be to build on this here at the UN in New York and, increasingly so, at the country level."
